Kathmandu, February 22
Issuing a press release on Saturday, Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’, the leader of a Maoist group which the government has banned, said his party was ready for the talks.
Although many reports of late said the government was making efforts to hold talks with the group and bring it to the mainstream politics, the party’s brief statement on Saturday could not convince the government. Rather, his readiness confused the ministers.
In his statement, Biplav has said, “We are positive for the talks with the government in a situation when there is an easy environment for our activities and programmes.” However, the government side seems to have difficulties in analysing it.
“It is not clear yet what issues they are raising,” a minister tells Onlinekhabar, “It is positive that they are ready for talks. But, a specific procedure has to be passed to form talks teams and begin the dialogue.”
He says the government is ready for the talks only if the party commits to joining peaceful politics by giving up violence and participating in the next general elections.
If the party agrees on those conditions, the government can lift the ban and consider releasing the arrested party cadres, according to a source in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
