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Govt.-Maoists fail to reach into consensus on arms management

As the government and the Maoists failed to reach into consensus in the issue of arms management, the government has floated a proposal of managing the rebels’ arms in three phases.

As per the proposal, in the first phase, the Maoist army will be placed in some temporary camps along with their weapons and in the second phase United Nations would be called to suggest the modalities for the weapons management. In the third phase, the rebels' army and weapons will be separated during the period of interim government and elections of the constituent assembly.

Reports quoted members of the government talks teams as saying that Maoists are in favour of political package along with the issue of arms management and are demanding consensus in the issue of interim parliament and modality for the election of the constituent assembly.

The Kantipur daily quoted sources as saying that the government is floating a proposal of managing the arms first and then gradually move towards political agenda as they have to send a consensus letter to the United Nations by Wednesday, and there is no need of UN assistance in the political agenda, but the Maoists are yet to give nod to it.

Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara also said that though discussions are on in the issue of arms management, they are yet to reach into consensus.

The daily quoted Maoists as saying that the UN failed to play impartial role and behaved with the National Army and the Maoists’ army differently.

The UN team led by Staffan de Mistura during its assessment visit to Nepal had suggested the government and the Maoists to find consensus in the issue of arms management for the world body to start its work in Nepal. nepalnews.com pb Aug 06 06