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Maoists' roundtable meet suspended

The Maoists have suspended the planned roundtable meeting, which was to begin from Thursday.

The Maoists have said that the roundtable has been suspended because their internal preparations are incomplete. They have said the roundtable will be held soon.

"We feel that our homework is still not complete. And some other organisations, too, have requested for participation. That is why we have decided to suspend it for the time being. We will hold it soon in better manner," senior Maoist leader Mohan Baidya told Kantipur FM.

They were planning to hold the roundtable meeting with around one dozen ethnic and regional organisations and other interest groups.

The Maoists had invited organisations including Limbuwan groups, dissident group of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), ethnic and leftist outfits for the roundtable.

Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai had said that the roundtable would end the current political impasse in the country.

Furthermore, Maoist leader Mohan Baidya had earlier informed the organisations that his party was planning to quit the government soon and launch the agitation.

By advancing 22-point demands including immediate declaration of republic and adoption of fully proportional representation-based election system, the Maoists have vowed to launch agitation from September 18. They have said that the election of Constituent Assembly is impossible without first fulfilling their 22-point demands.

Their sudden decision to suspend the roundtable meeting has come in the wake of protests by other parties who have urged Maoists not to explore resolutions of their issues outside of the eight party alliance. nepalnews.com sd Sep 13 07