Rupandehi, April 30:

Central member of the CPN (Maoist), Pampha Bhusal has said that the Maoists will continue the peaceful people’s movement throughout the ceasefire period.

“Maoist militias will continue programmes of public service and people’s mobilization during the period with the aim of endearing themselves to the people,” Bhusal said while speaking at a mass meet organised by the Maoists’ Rupandehi district unit in Manigram today. She also said the Maoists will be involved in development works including construction of roads, inland waterways, bridges and lending a helping hand to the poor and martyrs in farming. The Maoists announced the unilateral ceasefire to facilitate the House to declare an unconditional constituent assembly, she added. “Talks among the Maoists, SPA and civic society should ensue after the announcement of an unconditional constituent assembly, cancellation of the terrorist tag on Maoist leaders, withdrawal of Red Corner notices and announcement of ceasefire by the present government.”

Bhusal said the Maoists will only agree to talks if these pave the way for forming an interim government which will abolish the House and the 1990 constitution of the country, thereby drafting the interim constitution prior to going for an election to a constituent assembly.

“During the election to a constituent assembly, the Royal Nepalese Army and the Maoist people’s army may be kept under the observation of a reliable international body,” Bhusal said.

The Maoists’ Rupandehi incharge Nirmal Kumar, secretary Madhav Sharma and head of the people’s government Binod Upadhyaya, head of the people’s government in Kapilvastu Ram Lotan Tiwari, commissar of the Krishna Sen Memorial Brigade Shital, journalists Karna Bahadur Karki, human rights activist Shyam Bahadur Pathak and Manbir Garbuja also spoke.