Maoists have not released any more civilian or police hostages except Dev Raj Joshi, an activist of the ruling Nepali Congress party, Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka told parliament Monday.

“The government will reciprocate any gesture of the Maoists,” Khadka told the parliament while making a statement of public importance. “The level of Maoist violence has come down in recent days. But it must be stopped completely,” he said.

Government spokesman Gopendra Bahadur Pandey also confirmed the Maoists did not release an expected 188 civilians and police at Surkhet 480 kms west of the capital Monday.

Government earlier accused rebels of extortions, torture and killings even as the two sides tried to negotiate a peace settlement. A newspaper close to the rebels reported Monday the Maoists were releasing the captives at a rally in Surkhet.

Maoist strongman Prachanda last week ordered the release of hostages ahead of the third round of talks between the government and insurgents to end a communist insurgency that has claimed more than 1,800 lives in nearly six years. Government has kept police on alert in the area expecting possible releases.