Ravi Rimal

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala (File Photo)
The summit talks between the government and the Maoists are continuing at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu Friday afternoon.

Top leaders of seven political parties are participating in the summit talks.

It is said that facilitators of talks are also present, but it could not be confirmed.

According to our correspondent on scene, access was denied to journalists to the venue of talks and leaders of seven political parties entered Baluwatar from Number 3 gate to avoid journalists at the main entrance.

Maoist supremo Prachanda

Maoist supremo Prachanda (File Photo)
Maoist supremo Prachanda is accompanied by Maoist number two Dr Bhattarai, coordinator of the Maoist talk team Krishna Bahadur Mahara and members Dina Nath Sharma and Dev Gurung.

Before starting the summit talks with the leaders of the seven political parties, Maoist supremo Puspa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda and senior leader Baburam Bhattarai held informal talks with Prime Minister Koirala at the latter’s residence at Baluwatar.
Leaders of civil society, Dr Sundar Mani Dixit and Hari Roka also met Maoist leaders at Koirala’s residence.

Prachanda and Bhattarai arrived in the capital for the talks on an Air Dynasty helicopter this morning from Pokhara in Western Nepal.

Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and one of the members of the Maoist talks team Dev Gurung had flown to Pokhara to receive the Maoist leaders.

The Maoists and the government reached a four-point agreement on Thursday during the second round of talks.

Talking to Nepalnews this morning before the talks began, one of the members of the Maoist talk team stated the talks will concentrate on the issue of interim statute, interim government and holding the election of the constituent assembly.