Maoist student loyalists Monday accused  the government of insincerity and  repression while pursing talks with rebels to end the communist insurgency. The accusations were leveled in a statement issued by the All Nepal National  Independent Students’ Union President Sadhuram Debkota 24 hours after police raided the (ANNISU) office in the capital arresting activists and confiscating documents.

Debkota in the statement demanded the immediate and unconditional release of 16 students arrested Sunday. “The government is not interested in talks but  violence. The government is curtailing a fundamental right to open unions,” the statement said. But the government has accused the insurgents of extortion and spreading terror ahead of a planned public rally in the capital September 21 as security forces have been put on full alert.

Government and opposition parties in parliament have asked rebels to call off the meet fearing violence. Maoists have taken advantage of a truce during peace talks to hold rallies nation-wide. Such a rally was held in Birgunj Monday under tight security and another was planned in Rolpa.

The rally in Birgunj is near the villages in Parsa district where vigilante  groups shot dead at least one Maoist, injured several others and torched houses of rebels Saturday accusing insurgents of extortion. The second round of peace talks is expected to take place outside Kathmadu valley this week.