Banke, October 7 :

The Maoists have decided to return the seized lands of displaced persons. They said they have decided to do so in order to enable the displaced people to return home so that the issue of the displaced doesn’t hamper the government-Maoist peace talks.

A large number of people were displaced from Banke due to the decade-long conflict.

Chief of the Maoists’ Banke peoples’ government Purna Subedi said the displaced people will be helped to return home as soon as possible and that their seized lands returned.

The Maoists yesterday set up an office in Nepalgunj to ascertain the situation of the displaced and return their seized lands.

“The return of seized lands and enabling the displaced to return home will only be applicable in the case of those favouring total democracy. We will not let royalists benefit,” Subedi said.