Sincerity, Please!
MINISTER for Information and Communication
Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta said that His Majesty’s Government has been sincere to
solve the Maoist insurgency through dialogue and negotiation and has taken a number
measures to create a congenial atmosphere for peace talks. In an interaction with the
media persons in Jhapa the other day, Minister Gupta, who is also the spokesperson of the
government, asked the Maoist leadership to show similar attitude for the success of the
peace talks. Minister Gupta is right in saying that at the present context success or
failure of the peace talks between the government and the Maoist depends largely on the
behaviour of the Maoist rebels. The peace process to end the six-year old insurgency has
started and two rounds of talks have already been held. Both the government and the Maoist
leadership have agreed to halt all types of offensive activities. The government has
totally stopped the offensive activities and fulfilled some of the demands of the Maoists
including the release of their workers from police custody and jails and announced some
economic and social programmes. The government is sincere and committed to the agreement
and has not done anything that may spoil the peace process. However, the other side—
Maoists—does not seem to have fully kept its promises. Even after the start of peace
talks, the Maoist rebels have continued to resort to extortion, intimidation and offensive
activities. These activities are by no means conducive for the success of peace talks. The
violence and terror perpetrated by the Maoist rebels in the name of "People’s
War" have already caused a big damage to the nation. More than 1700 people have been
killed and property worth over millions of rupees damaged by the insurgency. Thus,
violence is not at the interest of the nation and the people. Peace is a must for
development of the nation. Thus, the violence and insurgency must end for the progress of
the nation and people and the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Maoists
need to succeed at the best interest of the nation. If peace talks fail, the nation and
people would, definitely, have to suffer more. At this crucial juncture, both sides need
to be serious and committed to peace and development of the country. The Maoists now must
end their offensive and violent activities and make themselves committed to peaceful
resolution of the problem. As said by Minister Gupta, the ball, now, is in the Maoists
court for the success of talks.
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