POKHARA, Jan. 5: Minister for Physical Planning and Works Narayan Singh Pun has disclosed that Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand recently sent a letter to the Maoists for peace talks through human rights activists who are acting as facilitators.

Speaking at a face-to-face programme organised by the Reporters’ Club, Pokhara today, Minister Pun said that the entire society, people from every walk of life, intellectuals and government should work together in order to create a conducive atmosphere for the peace talks to resolve the crisis.
He said that as the election was the main priority of the government, it was not possible without first resolving the security crisis facing the nation. “The government has been working hard to find a way out of the existing crisis,” he said.

Talking about the recent visit of His Majesty the King to the eastern region, Minister Pun said that political parties should not take it in a negative vein, assuming that it was an exercise at activating the monarchy.

He also said that he would contest the forthcoming election from at least three different constituencies although he has been asked to stand up from seven constituencies.

Meanwhile, eight Maoist activists surrendered themselves before the Kaski and district administration offices today.

At the office of the Chief District Officer, Kaski, Bhumeshwor Sharma of Chhisti Baglung; Chudamani BK and Min Bahadur BK of Sarangkot VDC, Kaski; Laxman K.C. of Pokhara sub-metropolitan; Maheshwor Pahadi of Pokhara; Rupa BK of Dhikurpokhari, Kaski and Ram Prasad Poudel of Pokhara surrendered themselves.

Similarly Rabindra Bidari of Kathmandu surrendered before the Tanahu district administration office today.

They promised that they would not indulge in any terrorist activities in the future. They also promised they would follow the constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy and the constitution of the Kingdom wholeheartedly.

Devi Prasad Bhattarai, CDO of Kaski, and other officials of the security committee had released them and submitted them to their guardians.

Bhattarai informed that they were released as they themselves and their parents appealed to the administration for the surrender.

They were in custody since the last three months. According to CDO Bhattarai, one of the Maoist activists Rabindra Bidari of Chaimale-3, Kathmandu, has also been released from the district office of Tanahu.