DANG: Minister for Information and Communications Shankar Pokharel today claimed that the Maoist agitation would not solve problems facing the country.

Addressing an interaction organised by the Dang chapter of Press Chautari, Pokharel said, ‘’The protests of the Maoists are creating problems rather than solving them. They should adopt dialogue as a means to have their concerns addressed.’’

He suggested that both the government and the Maoists should find a middle

path of solution to the problems. The minister pointed at Maoists’ stiffness as a barrier to consensus.

“Addressing the step of the President at the parliament alone cannot solve all the problems,” he said, opining that the step of the erstwhile Prime Minister should also be corrected as a way out. “The agitation is costing the Maoists dearly.”

Calling the Maoist activities a violation of the CPA, he said the government was not compelled to address unjust demands of any group, including the Maoists. Pokharel accused the UCPN-Maoist of not showing interest to draft the constitution. ‘’That is why the Maoists are avoiding talks,” he said.