TMCnet News
Nepal rejects rebels' cease-fire(UPI Top Stories Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Nepal's government has rejected a proposed cease-fire by Maoist rebels in the capital, Katmandu, timed to coincide with four days of opposition protests. Government spokesman Shrish Shumsher Rana said the insurgents could not be trusted, the BBC reported Tuesday. Rebel leader Prachanda on Monday announced the indefinite cease-fire for Katmandu and two neighboring districts as a way of supporting anti-monarchy rallies organized by the opposition. The alliance of seven parties is calling for a four-day nationwide shutdown beginning Thursday, including an anti-monarchy rally in Katmandu on Saturday. The government will not give permission for the protests because it is not convinced that the opposition protests will be peaceful despite the cease-fire. The opposition alliance has sided with the Maoists to strengthen their pressure against the king's rule, but they refuse total collaboration unless the rebels renounce violence. |