Contradicting the statement of Deputy Prime Minister Amik Sherchan, Home Minister Krishna Sitaula today said the government had not asked the Maoists to persuade the Terai Janatantrik Mukti Morcha (JTMM) for peace talks.

Home Minister Krishna Sitaula (File photo)

Home Minister Krishna Sitaula (File photo)
Sitaula, who is also the government’s talks coordinator, told the State Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives that the government had not given such a responsibility to the Maoists and that talks with the JTMM would be initiated after serious discussion amongst the political parties.

The Home Minister’s clarification came a day after DPM Sherchan said the government had given the responsibility to bring Jaya Krishna Goit-led JTMM, a small breakaway faction of the Maoists which is involved in armed activities in the Terai region, to the negotiating table.

Sherchan also declared that there would not be any talks with the faction headed by Jwala Singh, which is also named JTMM. Jwala Singh’s group has intensified individual killings, extortion and abductions in Siraha, Saptari and surrounding districts in recent days.

Meanwhile, the Maoists have also brushed aside Sherchan’s statement.

Radio Sagarmatha, a private-sector radio station, quoted Maoist leader Dina Nath Sharma as saying that the Maoists were ready for help in brining the JTMM to dialogue but the party has not been given such a responsibility.