For the first time, three Maoist negotiators emerged from their hideouts Wednesday ahead of talks with the government Thursday to end a communist insurgency that has claimed more than 1,800 lives in nearly six years.

Team leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Agni Sapkota and Top Bahadur Rayamajhi surfaced at a public meeting at Panga in Kirtipur attended by several thousand people. The first round of talks between the government and rebels is being held at an undisclosed place in Kathmandu Valley Thursday.

The Maoist negotiators surfaced after the government assured them security and safe passage. The leaders had gone into hiding when Maoists launched what they call a people’s war more than five years ago to fight for a republic in Nepal.

“The negotiations are a from of public action. We will continue the insurgency if the talks fail,” Mahara told mass meeting.