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Terrorist tag removed

Ameet Dhakal

KATHMANDU: Nepal's Government has announced an indefinite ceasefire and removed terrorist tag slapped on the Maoist rebels with immediate effect and invited them to the dialogue table.

Wednesday's Cabinet meeting also scrapped the Red Corner notice issued against the Maoists, removing obstacles to the rebel leaders to appear in public. The rebels declared a ceasefire for three months last week.

The Maoist top guns are soon expected to address mass meetings, expediting their campaign for a republic. The House of Representative has already passed a resolution to go for elections to the Constituent Assembly, chief demand of the rebels to join the political mainstream. The Government had declared the Maoist rebels as terrorists on August 28, 2003 when the latter broke the ceasefire on August 27 and attacked army officials in Kathmandu. Subsequently, the Interpol had issued the Red Corner notice against 26 top rebels leaders, including Prachanda as per Nepal's request.

The Government also annulled the "controversial" municipal polls held on February 25, during the King Gyanendra's direct rule.

Likewise, the Government dismissed all regional and zonal administrators, and district development committee chairpersons appointed by the King.

The Cabinet meeting also announced Nepali rupees 1 million to each martyr's family. Nineteen persons died and over 5000 are believed to have been injured during the three-week movement that forced the King to concede power to the people.

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