NEPAL: Maoist chairman warns of breaking ceasefire

Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal issues statement threatening to withdraw ceasefire if the government expands its military activities

Nepal News
Thursday, September 8, 2005

AsiaMedia Editor's Note: Reports are unclear as to whether the lifting of the state of emergency on April 30 allows for press freedom, and thus Nepalnews may still be operating under the directives of King Gyanendra.

Less than a week of announcing a three-month-long unilateral ceasefire, chairman of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Prachanda, has warned that his party could withdraw its call any time.

Talking to Krishnasenonline, a Maoist-affiliated news portal, Prachanda referred to incidences including arrest of three pro-Maoist cadres affiliated to Tharuwan in the mid-western district of Banke and attack on Maoist cadres in Jajarkot.

In his statement issued on Saturday, Prachanda had warned that his party could withdraw its call for unilateral ceasefire at any point in time if the government tried to expand its military activities.

On the other hand, the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has alleged the Maoists of engaging in violent activities even after declaring unilateral ceasefire. The RNA said the insurgents have abducted Karma Raj Budha and his wife from Ranga Gaon in Dolpa district, some students from a school at Tringra Gaon in Mugu district and five civilians from Ridikot and Sera ilaka from far-western district of Achham.

The rebels have abducted an unarmed policeman from Hapure ilaka in Dang district on Monday, the army said.

The last ceasefire between the government and Maoists broke off from Hapure in Dang three years ago.

Date Posted: 9/8/2005