Kathmandu, Nov.8: Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Paudel reiterated Wednesday government was ready to talk with Maoists to resolve a communist insurgency that has claimed at least 1450 lives in five years. ” The doors are open for talks. The law and order situation is critical.
Things will get out of hand if the problem is not resolved,” Paudel said. ” The government is open and ready for talks in the greater interest of the nation and people.”

Paudel, who is also Home Minister, said the government released Maoist central committee member Dinanath Sharma and another rebel recently to prepare an atmosphere for talks without duress as claimed. But Maoists said government conspired in their releases by claiming they
had defected to moderate Marxists.

Earlier, the government also released Maoist central committee leader Deb Gurung to end violence and pave the way for talks, Paudel said. ” But the Maoists continued their violence. They are not serious about resolving the issue peacefully.Proposals for talks are mere excuses,” Paudel said.
Maoists have leveled similar charges against the government. ” Is it not right that others should talk with the Maoists to end the conflict? The term of the Deuba commission had expired. He could not find a solution,” Paudel retorted to a charge Tuesday by former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba the government attempted to derail his effort to negotiate peace.

Deuba charged the government of derailing his efforts when government opened a second negotiating front with the rebels through a human rights activist.