TEHRATHUM: The Unified CPN-Maoist has withdrawn a bandh they had called in Taplejung, Panchthar and Terhathum districts demanding the release of its cadres and martyr status to some of those killed this evening.

The former rebels withdrew the general strike following an all-party meeting in the District Administration Office Taplejung, which agreed to urge the government to address the party's demands. Hom Jabegu, office secretary, Limbuwan State Committee (LSC), said the bandh was called off as political parties, civil society and the administration reached the agreement.

The all-party meeting has decided to request the government to declare Laxmi Wanem and Lagamdhwoj Limbu, Maoist cadres who were murdered in Taplejung, as martyrs and also to grant Rajendra Wanem the same status after probing his murder.

The local administration is said to have agreed to release 12 party cadres, including Taplejung secretary of LSC Khel Prasad Budhathoki, who were held during the bandh and to treat injured cadres. In the meeting attended by representatives of political parties, civil society and local administration, Maoist district in-charge Suman Limbu and Limbuwan Mukti Morcha deputy chairman Parmila Limbu were present.

The Maoists have been claiming that Laxmi was murdered by CPN-UML cadres last September while Rajendra was killed by the ruling party cadres last November. Lagamdhwoj was murdered by an unidentified group last September.

The bandh started on December 27 in Taplejung, last Thursday in Terhathum and yesterday in Panchthar.