Kathmandu, September 20:

Political leaders and human rights activists have urged the government to take the Maoist-announced ceasefire as an opportunity to solve the decade-long crisis. Addressing an interaction on ceasefire and peace talks, organised by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists today, rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar said the scheduled talks between the parties and the Maoists may bear fruit. “Through sincere talks, the Maoists can bring the Maoists to the right track and give momentum to the process of democratisation,” he said, adding, however, that the parties should show that they can be trusted. “Facilitation is a prerequisite as the talks cannot be held against the Maoists because a red corner notice has been issued against them.”

Gauri Pradhan, the chairman of the Alliance of Human Rights Organisations, said the government should immediately reciprocate the ceasefire. “The ceasefire, no matter under what consequences it was announced, has provided lots of opportunities for the country,” he said, adding: “We must utilise it for the nation’s sake.” “If the government fails to work for peace, we cannot rule out the possibility of UN intervention in the near future,” he said.

Sujata Koirala of NC urged all to leave aside the old demand of a constituent assembly. She urged the seven-party alliance to ask the UN to facilitate party-Maoist talks. A leader of the CPN-UML, KP Oli, said: “The state has been overlooking possibilities of a peaceful solution to the crisis even after the announcement of the ceasefire,” he said, adding the state had proved to be most “irresponsible” in its attitude and way of working. Bhuwan Pathak of the RPP and Buddhiman Tamang of the RJP stressed the need of talks between the King and the parties first to make the talks with the Maoists successful.