Deuba continues consultations

July 29, 2001
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Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba continued consultations with the opposition and his own party colleagues to forge a consensus ahead of talks with Maoists to end an insurgency that has claimed at least 1,800 lives in nearly six years as the rebels Sunday held their first open public met in the heart of the city.

Deuba met Surya Bahadur Thapa, president of the Rashtriya Prajatantra party, to seek the support of the third largest group in parliament, an announcement said.

Thapa urged Deuba to seek take the co-operation of major political forces to succeed in any effort to broker a deal with the insurgents, party sources said. Deuba also met general secretary of the Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala to garner support of the ruling party to deal with the Maoists.

Deuba started the dialogue with the opposition Saturday by meeting UML chief Madav Nepal, the leader of the main opposition in parliament. Deuba defeated Koirala in the leadership of the parliamentary party last week to become prime minister.

Meanwhile, Maoists held their first open public meeting in front of the Akash Bhairab at Indra Chowk Sunday evening to make their presence felt in the capital. ” We have confronted the police and soldiers .Now we are making our presence felt in the capital” a Maoist youth leader proclaimed from atop a nearby temple as 200 people listened to him.

Police in uniform and civilian dress watched from a distance. The rebels last week filed an application to the Kathmandu chief distinct office seeking permission to hold the public meeting.

In the past, Maoists had held sporadic torch light processions and demonstrations in the capital.