Maoist strongman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda said Monday “reactionary forces” with the “backing of American imperialism ” are trying to throttle the Maoist movement in Nepal. Prachanda said this in an exclusive interview with “Janadesha” daily newspaper.

“Our party has decided that our demand for a republic should be considered by an elected constitution assembly,” he said. Chairman Prachanda denied the international situation was not favourable for the rebels. “The international situation is favourable to the people’s revolution not the other way around,” he said.

“The demand for elections for a constitution assembly is a Maoist ploy to keep alive their demand for a republic,” government negotiator to peace talks and Minister for Agriculture Mahesh Acharya said Sunday.

Maoists dropped their demand for a  republic earlier this month ahead of the third round of peace talks between the government and rebels to end a communist insurgency that has claimed more than 1,800 lives in nearly six years.

The venue and date for the next phase of talks have not been announced yet. Meanwhile, Indian police arrested a Nepali national Thursday as he was trying to smuggle 1100 rounds of 303 rifle bullets in two sacks across the open border into Nepal at a border post in Rupandaehi district, published reports said Monday quoting Indian and Nepali police.

Nepali police simultaneously conducted extensive raids in several border villages in Nepal while searching for two Nepalis who fled after the interception. Police suspect the bullets were being smuggled in by Maoists.