Nepali govt drops cases against Maoists; prepares for talks

Kathmandu, June 13 (UNI) Nepal government has revoked all the cases filed against Maoist leaders and cadre under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Control and Punishment) Ordinance (TADO) in preparation for the high-level talks with the rebels.

More than 350 Maoists, including Chairman Prachanda Baburam Bhattarai, are facing charges under the Anti-Terrorist Ordinance.

The government released 75 Maoists yesterday and the process of releasing others is on.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the Maoist Chairman will hold high-level talks within a few days time, spokesman of the Maoists Krishna Bahadur Mahara said.

Home Minister Krishna Sitaula, who leads the delegation, met Prachanda in Sikles village in Kaski district, 200 km west of Kathmandu, on Saturday.

They held discussions on the peace process during their two-hour long meeting, the spokesman said.

The government has decided to hold elections of the Constituent Assembly, the main demand of the Maoists following the reinstatement of Parliament in the face of anti-King demonstrations in April.

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