Maoists have formed a five-member dialogue committee headed by No.2 man in the underground party Dr. Baburam Bhattarai to negotiate peace with the government five days after agreeing to a ceasefire, a statement issued by Maoist strongman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda said Sunday.
Other members of dialogue committee are: Ram Bahadur Thapa alias Badal, Matrika Yadav, Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Deb Bahadur Gurung. Prachanda said he and Bhattarai did not negotiate a deal with King Gyanendra at the Royal Palace.
Rebels have called off a two-day strike called for February 21. The ceasefire announced Wednesday is holding, security sources said.