Willingness for talks

The Himalayan Times

25 February 2021

Willingness for talks

It was indeed encouraging to read about the government considering having formal talks with the Chand-led CPN party for bringing it into mainstreaming politics "Chand-led CPN positive about talks" (THT,February 22, Page 1). Whatever the clandestine political agenda behind the government's intention to call the earlier banned CPN for talks, it should be seen as a positive move. In fact, this government had imposed restrictions on all activities of the Chand-led CPN on March 12,2019 following its violent activities. 

 

In the last one-and-half years hundreds of cadres of the party were arrested, and the government continued keeping close eye on those having connected with the party. A few cadres were even shot dead by the police during encounters. Recently, a teacher was kidnapped by slitting his throat by their cadres in an eastern hilly district.Many top leaders are spending their time in jail for political reasons. Some of them were even arrested from the gates of court after they were denied judicial custody.

This is a welcome and positive step of the Oli led government towards creating a conducive political environment at a time when the nation is heading towards political chaos following the dissolution of the House of Representatives. And, it is also encouraging to know that the Chand led CPN is positive about holding talks with the government after putting forward some conditions.Now the government must meet their demands and be prepared for talks to create a favourable political environment.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj