Prachanda directs govt's talk team to reach out to armed groups
6 Oct 2008, 1232 Hrs

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Kathmandu, Oct 6 Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda has directed the government's talk team to initiate the dialogue process with armed insurgent groups operating in Terai.

Prachanda gave this direction during a meeting with coordinator of the talks team and Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Janardan Sharma here on Sunday.

Sharma informed him that preparations were underway to bring the armed groups to the negotiating table "within 2-3 days".

Sharma said that they are in constant contact with few Terai outfits through a mediator and are trying to establish contact with other outfits also.

The government had on Friday formally invited all armed groups operating in Terai for talks.

The government's initiative for talks comes following declaration of ceasefire by some of the armed groups in view of Dashain festival.

While declaring ceasefire, they also stated that they were ready for talks, but it is not known if the government will hold separate talks with all of them.

14 armed groups operating in eight districts of the Terai met in Katihar district of Bihar last week to forge a working alliance to push forward their plans in a more concerted manner, Nepalnews reported. (ANI)