The CPN (Maoist) has declared an armed war against the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM), an armed outfit separated from it two years ago.

At a press conference organised in Rajbiraj Sunday, Maoist politburo member Matrika Yadav said his party was “compelled to declare war against the JTMM as it has been killing Maoist cadres”.

According to reports, the Maoist leader said the JTMM, which is led by former Maoist leader Jay Krishna Goit, refused to come to the negotiating table to settle the dispute. Yadav also claimed that ‘royal elements’ were behind the Morcha.

The Maoists have accused the JTMM militants of killing two of their cadres in Saptari district a couple of weeks ago.

Goit rebelled in the Maoist party in 2004 and formed the JTMM saying that the Maoists were not committed to ‘autonomy’ to the Terai region.