Willingness shown by Terai armed group for talks is positive: Home Minister
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula has informed that some armed groups
operating in Terai have expressed willingness to come into the negotiating
table, and termed the development as positive.
Talking to reporters at the Biratnagar airport on Tuesday, prior to
departing for the eastern hilly district to take stock of the security
arrangement for the election there, he informed that the government is
also pushing the dialogues process ahead.
The government's efforts to bring the armed groups operating in Terai into
the talks table has gained pace with just over two weeks remaining for the
scheduled Constituent Assembly election.
Samyukta Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (SJTMM), Terai Cobra, Madhesi
Mukti Tigers (MMT) and few other armed groups operating in Terai have
expressed willingness to sit in the negotiating table welcoming the
initiative taken by the government for it. SJTMM's chairman Rajan Mukti
said that the armed groups in Terai are not against talks and that they
would make public their joint talks team soon, possibly today.
"But before that the government should make an environment favorable for
talks by withdrawing the false charges against us and releasing our
leaders and activists who it has arrested. After this happens we would
immediately stop our armed activities," Rajan Mukti said talking to a
local FM radio station by phone.
Earlier, speaking at a programme in the capital city, peace minister Ram
Chandra Poudel had said that he has credible information that Terai armed
groups are currently holding internal discussions and that the date for
talks with them would be fixed subsequently after they form their joint
talks team. nepalnews.com ag Mar 25 08
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