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Maoists call off truce in Nepal

Offensive would be directed at the royal regime, say the rebels

KATHMANDU: Nepal's Maoist rebels said on Monday they would not extend a four-month truce which ends at midnight, and that they were abandoning the ceasefire in self-defence.

The truce was first announced for three months in September and extended for another month under popular pressure.

It was not matched by the Government headed by King Gyanendra, who seized power in February.

``The royal army is surrounding our people's liberation army, which is in defensive positions, to carry out ground as well as air attacks on us,'' the rebels said in a statement.

``Therefore, we are compelled to go on the offensive not only for the sake of peace and democracy but for the sake of self defence,'' said Prachanda, elusive chief of the Maoist group.

There was no immediate comment from the Government which has in the past said the rebels use ceasefires to regroup.

King Gyanendra, who fired the Government 11 months ago, had refused to match the truce. The guerillas have accused his royalist government of provoking them to break the ceasefire.

While the ceasefire had resulted in fewer deaths, the army and rights activists said the rebels continued abductions.

The Maoists are fighting to establish one-party communist rule in the Himalayan nation, one of the world's poorest.

The revolt, now nearly 10 years old, has killed more than 12,500 persons and delayed national as well as local polls.

Mr. Prachanda said the rebels' new offensive would be directed at the royal regime.

Blasts rock Nepal

Meanwhile, a series of explosions rocked two cities and a town in Nepal on Monday just hours after communist rebels announced an end to their unilateral ceasefire, police and a government official said.

No casualties were immediately reported. — Agencies

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