The agitating seven political parties have said the government’s irresponsiveness is behind the decision of the CPN (Maoist) to call off its four-month long unilateral ceasefire.

Talking to reporters after a meeting of top leaders of the seven-party alliance in the capital this afternoon, CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said, “We went through today’s Maoist statement and we have come to the conclusion that it is because of the government’s irresponsiveness that the Maoists have taken this decision.”

“We appeal to the Maoists to respect human rights and international humanitarian laws and return to the peaceful political process,” Nepal further said, adding that parties would make efforts to get the rebel side to agree for a peaceful solution to the crisis through the process of roundtable conference, an interim government and election to the Constituent Assembly, the key demands of the Maoists.

He said the Maoist decision to withdraw the truce would, however, have least effect on 12-point understanding reached between the seven-party alliance and the rebel side. “Parties will take every initiative to bring the Maoists to the peaceful political process,” he said.

Saying that the government continued its offensive against the Maoists in the last four months, CPN (Maoist) chairman Prachanda announced to call off the unilateral ceasefire from today.

Alliance leaders informed that meeting held at the Maharajgunj residence of Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala also discussed the upcoming protests against ‘royal autocracy’ on January 10 and January 20 in Janakpur and Kathmandu respectively.