Nepal rebels announce ceasefire
Communist rebels in Nepal today announced a unilateral ceasefire for the next three months to continue peace talks to end a decade-long civil war in the Himalayan nation.
The ceasefire would take effect immediately, said Maoist rebels leader Prachanda in a statement sent to news organisations released in Kathmandu, the capital.
The elusive leader said his fighters would not attack any government or civilians during the ceasefire, but would defend their positions.
He said this would offer a chance to find peace in Nepal.
“Within this time the people’s liberation army under our control would only retaliate if they come under attack. There will be no offensive action from our side,” Prachanda, whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal, said in the statement.
“It is the responsibility of the major political forces in the country to provide a political solution to the problems facing the country.”
Prachanda suggested there was a conspiracy to push Nepal toward becoming a failed state, prompting the rebels to take action to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
Government officials were not available for comments on the statement or whether they would agree to the temporary truce.
Rebel violence has escalated since King Gyanendra seized control of the government in February, a measure he said was necessary to quell an insurgency that has left more than 11,500 dead.
The rebels claim to be inspired by Chinese communist revolutionary Mao Zedong and have been fighting for nine years to topple Nepal’s monarchy.
The rebels have declared ceasefires before, but negotiations with the government failed both times.
The rebels have been insisting on an election for a special assembly which would draft a new constitution and even decide if the monarchy should be abolished. The government wants the guerrillas to give up their weapons and join mainstream politics.
