Bhairahawa, September 3:

Participants at a mass meeting organised by the civil society, Butwal, today urged the government to initiate peace talks with the Maoists after the Maoists announced a three-month unilateral truce today. A nine-point ‘Butwal Declaration’ was issued in the meeting urging the government to hold peace talks with the Maoists. The declaration said the people should show their solidarity in making the people’s movement successful at a time when all the democratic forces are standing together for the restoration of democracy in the country.

Addressing the mass meeting, coordinator of the ‘Democracy and Peace for Civic Campaign’, Dr Devendraraj Pande , said the king was trying to make the Nepali people his slaves in the name of implementing peace and development.

He further accused the king of crushing the democratic movement. “No force can curb the movement for democracy,” he said. A left intellectual, Shyam Shrestha, said the country has seen more violence after the king took over power in February 1. The crises will plague the country as long as monarchy exists, he said. “I request the Maoists to join the mainstream by winning the trust of the Nepali people,” Shrestha said. Participants in the programme further said United Nations mediation is a must to address the current problems facing the country.

Tourism entrepreneurs are also overjoyed at the announcement of a three-month unilateral ceasefire announced by the Maoists, a report from Pokhara said. They said the announcement will have a ‘positive impact’ on the industry as it comes at the beginning of the tourist season. They said the truce should be permanent for the moment and the government should also also create a conducive environment for peace talks with the Maoists.

Chairman of the Tourism Council of Pokhara, Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai, said the possibilities of ‘booking cancellations’ have gone down because of the announcement of the ceasefire.

According to him, the possibilities of a dialogue between the two parties have now opened and “this must be utilised.” The General Secretary of the regional Hotel Association of Nepal, Pokhara, Biplav Poudel said the announcement has created a safe environment for tourists and it will spread a positive message of the country abroad. Chairman of the Western regional chapter of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Hari Sharma, said the ceasefire will provide much relief to the tourism entrepreneurs in the present situation when majority of tourism institutions are closing down and the tourism entrepreneurs being displaced. Saying the state must also announce truce, he suggested that all sectors must initiate peace process. Chairman of Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN), Pokhara, Chitra Jung Gurung also expressed his belief that the ceasefire will help spread positive message for the country. Former Chairman of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Managing Director of Fujiyama Treks and Expedition, Tikaram Sapkota said that the tourists suspicious over the situation of Nepal will be able to feel safer to visit Nepal.

Locals hail ceasefire declaration

Pyuthan: The local residents here have welcomed the unilateral three-month-long ceasefire announced by Maoist Chairman Prachanda on Saturday. The Pyuthan residents have insisted that the state must also announce ceasefire as soon as possible. Chairman of Pyuthan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Raj Kumar Kakshapati remarked, ‘the state must also declare a ceasefire and all sectors must unite to transform this truce into a sustainable peace.’

Founder President of Pyuthan chapter of Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Surya Bahadur BK said the ceasefire must be implemented immediately. He expressed hope that the state will follow suit and announce a ceasefire. Secretary of a local non-governmental organisation, Tikuri Active Youth Group, Tikaram Pokharel said all sectors should use this ceasefire opportunity as a positive one so that peace is restored in the country. As many as a dozen youngsters, who were displaced from Sirpa due to Maoist atrocities and are currently living at Bijubar of Pyuthan, were excited when they heard about the ceasefire announcement. “We think this (ceasefire announcement) makes it possible for us to return home,” they said. They asked the concerned parties to create an environment for a safe return back in the villages. One 15-year-old Hira Magar of Sirpa said, “We can go back home as soon as possible if the Maoists promise not to harm us.” — HNS