Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam has revealed that the government has so far established contact with 14 armed groups operating in Terai and eastern hills in an attempt to bring them to the negotiating table.

According to him, the government’s talks team is preparing to start formal dialogue with the armed outfits very soon.

Speaking to reporters after a programme in the capital Wednesday, Gautam also said police forces would be mobilised against the armed groups if they refused to sit for talks to resolve the problem.

Asked if the government would mobilise the army if talks fail, Gautam said, “Army won’t be mobilised. Armed Police Force and Nepal Police are enough [to deal with them.”

The DPM also dismissed reports that education minister Renu Yadav, who is a member of the government’s talks team, has gone to India to meet the leaders of the armed groups as part of the talks preparations. Minister Yadav, according to him, is in India on a private tour. nepalews.com mk Nov 05 08