Mukti Ram Dahal, father of Maoists supremo Prachanda, has asked his son to stop bloodshed and work towards establishment of peace in the country.

According to radio reports, Dahal met his son at Handikhola VDC in Makawanpur district on Tuesday evening. Prachanda, along with Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai have been staying in the district for the last few days. They also addressed a mass meeting on Tuesday.

“I was very happy when he hugged me after completing his speech to the mass,” Dahal told reporters upon arrival at Chitwan on Wednesday morning. He further said, “I told him that Nepalis no more want war and bloodshed. You must commit for peace.”

Dahal also said he asked his son to go to Kathmandu to address the mass meeting scheduled for Friday.

This is the first time they met since the beginning of people’s war in 1996.

Meanwhile, Prachanda, in his first public appearance, said his party was committed to making the current peace talks a success. Dr Bhattarai also addressed the meet.

Prachanda is reported to have urged the government to nationalize all the property of the late King Birendra.