Detained central leader of the underground Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) Matrika Yadav ended his one-week long hunger strike Thursday at the presence of human rights activists and Home Ministry officials.

Yadav, who has been in Nakkhu Jail for the last one-year, started his hunger strike demanding reforms in jail and additional facilities for the prisoners. He was admitted to Bir Hospital last Friday as his condition worsened.

He ended his hunger strike in the hospital as Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka assured that the government would fulfill all his demands except the ones that require policy changes, said Padma Ratna Tuladhar, former Minister and human rights activist.

Tuladhar was one of the human rights activists who mediated between the Home Minister and striking Maoist leader Yadav. The government has been flexible towards Maoists, as the rebels have halted their all offensive activities and established contact with the government for a peace deal to end the insurgency.

Only yesterday, the government decided to release ten more Maoist workers from different jails. Last week, it released 15 Maoist workers. Similarly, Maoist rebels have released some policemen who were in Maoist captivity in a response to the government’s decision.

Tuladhar said that both sides appear to be committed to solve this problem peacefully and the recent decisions are indication of that. Tuladhar also played key role in mediating between the government and the Maoist leadership.

Almost 2000 people have already been killed in the insurgency for the last six years.