The Hope of Peace Extended: Maoist Ceasefire

The Lead: Thank God, Nepal Communist Party (Maoists) has extended the unilateral cease-fire by one month.

“Those terrorists, they need to go back to their business. They should start terrorism. They shouldn’t talk peace. We are here to talk peace. We are supposed to bring peace in this country. No one should talk or bring peace in the country except us.” That is what this autocratic regime thinks. That is what it talks. What a paradox! Terrorists are talking peace. And the regime is hesitant to respond with similar action. This is the state of the nation. We hate to praise Maoists but here I can’t just stop myself from wholeheartedly welcoming this latest statement issued today by Prachanda. As a citizen of this nation, I thank Prachanda just like CPN UML General Secretary Madhak Kumar Nepal did today in New Baneshwor while addressing the mass meet. As Prachanda has mentioned in the statement, I hope this extension will help propel the peaceful movement for democracy and establish peace in Nepal. Now the government should respond to this extension by declaring ceasefire on its side. -Wagle