Kathmandu, Feb 01: Intensive discussions are under way between Nepal's government and Maoist rebels, including behind prison walls, ahead of the imminent start of formal peace talks, key mediators in the process told a news agency. The informal meetings, in which the Maoists are seeking to secure the release from prison of some 3,500 to 4,000 of their cadres, are aimed at smoothing the way for the official talks, they said in an interview late yesterday.
Home ministry sources said the releases could begin next week, but that official talks would likely only start later in February.
The two mediators, medical doctor Birendra Jhapali and traditional doctor Dhani Ram Lamichhane, said they had over the last two days accompanied government chief negotiator Narayan Singh Pun to various jails in and around the capital to meet Maoist leaders.
"Both sides agreed they had to forget their differences and work together to take a new direction ... And create a new and beautiful and developed Nepal," said Lamichhane.
Aside from a rebel demand for freeing Maoists detained under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act, he said, talks had also broached an all-party round-table conference the government has agreed to call to map out the political future of the Himalayan kingdom.
Among prisoners met by pun, who is public works and transport minister, were two central committee members of the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist), Ram Karki, alias Partha Chhetri, and Bam dev Chhetri.
Bureau Report