KATHMANDU, Nepal, June 7 (UPI) -- Nepalese Maoists have threatened to resume violence if the government does not accept their demand of converting the tiny country into a republic.
The Pioneer newspaper said Wednesday that even as Nepalese Premier Girija Prasad Koirala left for New Delhi on a four-day official visit, Maoist leader Prachanda threatened that talks between the political parties and the armed rebels would be derailed if the government acted under the guidance of the United States and India, which he deemed "expansionism."
"The political parties are trying to awaken a dead tiger by accepting ceremonial monarchy," Prachanda said, adding the crisis will not be resolved unless the parties choose a republican state.
The rebel leader said the talks would not yield any concrete results unless an interim government is formed, with the involvement of rebels, and the constitution is scrapped.
Prachanda said the Maoists want to establish a federal system in which the rights of backward classes and women are protected and ethnic autonomy is achieved. He also asked the government to take action against army chief Pyar Jung Thapa.
The Nepalese Maoists have warned the Koirala government against moving closer to New Delhi, and said they are watching closely Koirala's India visit.
"Koirala must talk to the Indian authorities about the release of 137 Maoists, including C.P. Gajurel and Mohan Baidhya, currently lodged in Indian jails," said rebel leader Dinanath Sharma.
Sharma warned the Koirala delegation against signing any deals of national importance at this transition phase, saying the prime minister's visit should only be a goodwill gesture.
"Although the Indian authorities may take up many issues unofficially, no discussion should lead to any official decision," Sharma said.
