Five Maoist peacemakers, including chief negotiators Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Monday afternoon addressed public meetings at five different places to commemorate the overthrow of the panchayat 13 years ago and the reinstatement of banned political parties after 30 years. Maoists, in previous years, marked the day with nation-wide strikes that was often violent.

Rebels mark the historic day on April 7 coinciding with Chaitara 24 -the day selected Nepali Congress and communist leaders went to the Royal Palace to negotiate a dissolution of the panchayat system with late King Birendra after a two-month bloody popular movement spearheaded by the opposition parties. Others mark the occasion two days later on April 9 coinciding with Chaitra 26, the day the late King formally legalized banned political parties a through a midnight address to the nation.

Dr. Baburam Bhattarai is addressing a rally in Nepalgunj while military strategist Ram Bahadur Thapa alias Badal is addressing a meeting in Bharatpur, Thapa’s hometown, where he surfaced after 11 years in hiding Sunday.

Deb Gurung, described as a leader of a minority tribe, is addressing a meeting in Pokhara. Krishna Bahadur Mahara will address a rally in Butwal and terai leader Matrika Prasad Yadav will address another meeting in Rautahat. nepalnews.com br April 7