Sarlahi, November 8:

Minister for Local Development Ram Chandra Jha today said a conducive environment should be created before holding formal talks with the armed groups active in the Tarai.

Speaking at a press conference organised by Journalism Development Foundation in Hariwan

of Sarlahi, he said, “The armed groups involved in donation drives,

killing and abduction should refrain from such activities to create talks-friendly environment.”

The government, the minister said, was determined to fulfill genuine demands put forth by the outfits. Informal talks were underway with 12 groups, said Jha, who is also a member of the government talks team.

Jha said, “The government would provide security for the representatives of armed groups during the talks.” “The dialogue should be held by mid-December. Otherwise, the country could not remain in status quo.”

Meanwhile, former general secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal today urged all communities to protect their religions and cultures for the sake of national identity. “Unity in diversity is the specialty of Nepal,” he said after unveiling a statue of late poet Bidhyapti in Bidhyanagar of Gaur Municipality-5 of Rautahat. Nepal and Minister for Local Development Ram Chandra Jha jointly unveiled the statue.

Nepal called upon all communities to help draft the new constitution on time and bring drastic changes in the country.

“Lasting solution to any problem is not possible through violence,” he said and urged the armed outfits operating in the Tarai to abandon the politics of weapons and sit for talks with the government.

Speaking at the programme, minister Jha said the Mithila region could see development if the path shown by the great poet was followed.

He said the country would face undesired consequences if attempts were made to sideline the national and regional languages. Nepali people should act like a watchdog to protect their languages, Jha added.

Meanwhile, Jha today laid a foundation stone for a building, which is to be constructed on the premises of a Durga temple in Matsari VDC.