Fifteen Maoists have been released from different jails to create an atmosphere for talks with insurgents fighting for a communist state for nearly six years, a Home Ministry announcement said Saturday.

The names of those released were not revealed. They were all detained under the public security act, the announcement said.

“The government hopes it will create an atmosphere to begin talks. We hope the Maoists will respond positively,” an announcement said.

The Deuba administration and the insurgents announced a cease-fire Sunday.