Maoists call off blockade after signing MoU with political parties

Kathmandu, Mar 19 (UNI) Maoists have called off the road blockade of Kathmandu and other major towns in Nepal from tomorrow after signing the second Memorandum of Understanding today with the seven-party alliance to establish full-fledged democracy in the Himalayan Kingdom.

The rebels had declared the blockade of Kathmandu stopping the vehicles from moving in and out of Kathmandu since last week, which has affected the movement of people and supply of essential goods in the capital and other parts of the country.

The MoU was made public separately by the alliance and the Maoists. Both the sides have expressed commitment to hold the Constituent Assembly elections to establish full-fledged democracy in Nepal.

The seven parties have reiterated their stance for the revival of the dissolved parliament while the Maoists have prefered for an all party conference before holding the election.

In the separate statements issued by the seven parties and the Maoists, both the sides have agreed for "a common agenda in course of time through mutual understanding." Leaders of the seven parties including Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala and CPN-UML's acting General Secretary Amrit Kumar Bohara have signed the agreement.

Maoist chairman Prachanda, in a statement issued here today said that the second understanding will pave the way to find a common political agenda in the days ahead.

Prachand has said that the Maoists are committed to the 12 point agreements reached with the seven parties in November last year.

The seven parties have also urged the Maoists to call off the blockade and create a conducive environment for the peaceful protest programmes of the parties.

The alliance has called on all to support its nationwide general strike and non-cooperation protest programmes to be held on April 6-9 and a huge peaceful protest programme in Kathmandu on April 8.

The leaders of the seven parties and the Maoists had held talks in New Delhi, India to sign the agreement.

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