LOCAL ADMINISTRATION LIFTS CURFEW AFTER FIVE YEARS

The local administration removed curfew orders in Dang district after five years citing improvement in the security situation of the district.
The local administration had been imposing nighttime curfew order in the district since November 26, 2001 following the Maoist attack at all government installations in Ghorai, the district headquarter of Dang district on November 23.
Maoists launched major attack on Ghorai, the district headquarter of Dang district following a break in a four month truce.
Talking to Nepalnews, acting chief district officer of the district, Sundar Raj Aryal, informed that they removed the curfew after five years keeping in view the recent political development of the country and improvement in the security situation.
Local administrations in various districts have been imposing curfew orders in the night to avoid probable attack of the Maoists.
The government on Wednesday removed terrorist tag and red corner notice from Maoists and reciprocated the unilateral ceasefire announced by the Maoists.

MAOISTS AGREE TO SIT ON PEACE TALK

A day after the government announced a ceasefire, the Maoists have welcomed it and agreed to sit for peace negotiations with the government led by Seven Party Alliance (SPA).

In a statement issued on Thursday, chairman of the CPN (Maoist), Prachanda alias Pushpa Kamal Dahal, said his party is ready to sit for talks with the government as per the 12-point understanding reached with the SPA.
Prachanda further said his party had already handed over a "code of conduct" – to be observed by both the sides—to the government and expressed hope that it would be implemented sincerely.
The Maoist supremo warned that his party’s decision to sit for negotiations should not been seen as ‘war-weariness’ or ‘hurry to join the open politics.’ “We are prepared to fight in any front till the end for the sake of Nepal and the Nepalis,” he said.
In his statement, Prachanda expressed hope that the forthcoming negotiations would not turn into a failure as was the case with the previous two round of negotiations and that interim statute and interim government would be formed by dissolving the reinstated parliament, constitution and the government. Prachanda said the interim government would take the lead of the entire elections process for what he called the ‘unconditional constituent assembly.’ “Ultimately, it is the political consciousness and continued agitation of the great Nepali people in order to ensure safe-landing of this process,” he added.
Prachanda alleged the government of USA of trying to push Nepal towards eternal war and conflict in Nepal—situated between two giants China and India—in order to fulfill its “imperial interests.” He also claimed that the recent visit of US Assistant Secretary for South Asia, Richard Boucher, was directed in that direction.
Describing the present situation in the country as transitional, Prachanda said the country was heading towards a republic.
On Wednesday, the newly formed government led by G P Koirala declared ceasefire and decided to withdraw terrorist tag and ‘Red Corner’ notices against the CPN (Maoist) and its leadership.