Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has warned the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) and its chairman Prachanda they will be responsible for any future consequences following Maoists’ unilateral decision to withdraw from the peace talks.

Speaking in a programme in the capital Thursday, Prime Minister Deuba said that because the Maoist leader withdrew from the ceasefire and peace talks, the Maoist party and its leaders have betrayed the nation and the people.

The government is committed to peace talks and has made every possible effort for making the peace process a success, he said. Deuba described the statement of Maoist leader Prachanda, who accused the government of conspiring against peace talks, an act of betrayal.

Deuba’s reaction came following the decision of Maoist leader to withdraw from the ceasefire and peace talks. However, Deuba said that the government was open and committed to peace talks and asked Maoist leaders to come to the fourth round of talks.

Maoist leader Prachanda on Wednesday issued a statement saying that the significance of the ceasefire had ended blaming the government for conspiring against the peace process.

Prachanda said that his party had no alternative other than to resort to armed struggle to achieve their goal. Human rights activists and politicians have asked the Maoist leaders to reconsider their decision and restart the peace talks to end the six-year old armed insurgency.

More than 1800 people have been killed in insurgency related violent incidents.