Govt, armed Tarai groups to sit again on Sept 6

KATHMANDU, Aug 11: The talks between the government and the agitating four armed Tarai groups ended on a positive note, Tuesday. The two sides have agreed to sit for another round of talks on September 6 to resolve all political demands raised by the armed groups. [break]



Talking to the media, Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong, who is the coordinator of the government talks team, said both sides reviewed the implementation of the agreement reached in the past during the meetings on Monday and Tuesday.



Minister Chemjong said they will hold dialogue to settle the issue of arms management once they will come to agreement on their political agenda. “We have arrived at a conclusion that both the sides have so far abide by the agreement, leaving a few exceptions,” he said. “Both sides have agreed to strictly abide by the agreement.”



Representatives of the Madhesi Mukti Tigers, Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha, Madhesi Virus Killers and Tarai Samyukta Janakranti Party were present in the talks held at the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction.



During the talks, the representatives of the armed groups had expressed concern over the killings of their cadres even as they were at the negotiating table. They had also demanded that the government declare the slain cadres as martyrs after forming a high-level investigation team.



Minister Chemjong, however, said that the government cannot declare as martyrs the cadres of rebel groups killed during police action.



Talking to the media, Mangal Pandey of Madhesi Mukti Tigers said they have decided to take both the talks and their struggle programs simultaneously.



He said that they will retaliate with arms if police killed their innocent cadres. “We will continue with our peaceful political programs while suspending all types of armed activities,” said Pandey.

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