KATHMANDU, Nepal, April 28 (UPI) -- Nepali Maoist rebels held a peaceful mass meeting in Kathmandu on Friday.
Kantipur Online reported on April 28 that according to Maoist sources, the mass gathering was held at Khullamanch in Kathmandu at noon under the auspices of the Maoist-aligned All Nepal National Independent Students' Union - Revolutionary.
Tensions in the country have eased after Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala promised that the reinstated parliament would move swiftly on organizing constituent assembly elections.
Prior to Koirala's pronouncement, the Maoists had called for a series of blockades in the Kathmandu valley and all district headquarters to express their dissatisfaction over the seven-party alliance's decision to support King Gyanendra's April 24 Royal Proclamation.
Following appeals from Koirala, who has been named the seven-party alliance's candidate for the post of prime minister, the Maoists rebels called off their protests and declared a three-month unilateral cease-fire.
The mass rally coincides with the first session of the reinstated parliament, meeting Friday after being suspended by Gyanendra four years ago. The seven-party alliance has already declared that all "regressive" decisions taken by Gyanendra's government after Oct. 4, 2002 will be declared null and void.
