A Kathmandu-based human rights watchdog that is monitoring the situation of the conflict has said the number of killings has declined substantially over the last one month since the Maoists declared unilateral ceasefire.

Talking to Nepalnews, an official involved with the Human Rights Year Book – a flagship publication of Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC)—said a total of 171 people were killed during the conflict from August 3 till September 2 this year. Of them, 76 people were killed by the state while 95 people were killed by the Maoists. This figure includes dozens of casualties on both sides during the overnight clashes at Pili security base camp in remote northern district of Kalikot (on August 7). Nearly six people were killed every day during this period, according to INSEC.

But after the announcement of three-month-long unilateral ceasefire on September 3, number of killings have declined substantially. Accoridng to the data compiled by INSEC, a total of 33 people have been killed between September 3 and October 2, this year. Of them, 29 suspected Maoist rebels were killed during the on-going security operations while the Maioists killed four people. The average death rate per day due to conflict stood at 1.14.

Rights groups have, however, said that Maoists have been continuing their activities including abductions and extortion despite ceasefire. They have also called upon the government to reciprocate to the Maoist ceasefire and take initiative to find a negotiated settlement to the armed conflict.

Over 12,000 Nepalis have lost their lives in the nearly ten-year-old conflict.