NDTV.com Nepal to release jailed Maoists http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=Nepalmaoists&slug=Nepal+to+release+jailed+Maoists&id=87607&callid=1
Friday, May 5, 2006 (Kathmandu): Nepal's new government on Friday said it would release imprisoned Maoist rebels, describing the road to peace as difficult and complex. While addressing the Parliament, Home Minister Krishna Sitoula said the government has decided to initiate the process to release Maoists being held in prison. He, however, gave no timeframe on how soon the detained rebels would be released. Dialogue process The home minister termed the Maoists' willingness to sit for a dialogue to end the decade-old insurgency as a positive move. The seven-party alliance has urged rebels to show commitment for multi-party democracy, human rights and press freedom. According to reports, Maoists are organising public meetings and other programmes in combat dresses and carrying weapons - a move the government has termed inappropriate. Sitoula said the government was fully committed to work in accordance with the 12-point agreement, a mandate of Joint People's Movement that resulted in restoring democracy in the nation. (PTI)
