Sindhupalchowk, Oct 21:

Maoists cannot be included in the interim government until their arms are managed, Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said here today.

Speaking at a felicitation programme organised at Barhabise by the Sindhupalchowk chapter of the Nepal Cultural Union, he said: “Arms should be managed once and for all for the stability of Loktantra and peace in the nation.”

“The autocratic regime was brought to an end on the strength of a peaceful movement, not on the strength of arms,” Mahat said. The Nepali Congress (NC) and the government are trying hard to make the talks successful, he said, adding: “The NC is not to blame for the delay in talks.”NSU vice-president Pradip Poudel said: “The people will choose the type of ruling system they want.”