Maoist rebels suspend fighting in Nepal

Maoist rebels and government forces temporarily halted fighting in Nepal today, a step officials hope will lead to peace talks to end the country’s eight-year insurgency.

Both sides have said they will suspend military operations for nine days during the popular Dasain festival starting today, a truce the government hopes will be extended to allow for negotiations to permanently stop the conflict.

“This is a chance to extend the temporary situation to a lasting peaceful solution,” said Information Minister Mohammed Mohsin. “We urge the Maoists to come forward for talks to find a peaceful solution.”

The rebels, who have been fighting for a communist state in Nepal since 1996, have not responded to the government’s latest peace overture. The Maoists have repeatedly rejected previous government offers aimed at ending the conflict, which has claimed more than 10,000 lives.

Both sides have promised to halt offensive operations until October 28 for the Dasain festival, the biggest in Nepal.

Police said there were no reports of skirmishes today, though security forces were on high alert and continued to patrol the streets and highways across the Himalayan nation.

Schools and government offices close during the festival and most people return to their villages to see their families. However, the insurgency has forced many people to avoid such travel in the past few years.

Fighting between the rebels and government soldiers has escalated since August 2003, when the insurgents withdrew from a seven-month ceasefire.

The current truce is the first positive sign the government has had from the rebels in months, and some officials are confident it will hold.

“We should consider the peace process has begun and the suspension of military offensives has paved the way for peace talks,” said Local Development Minister Yuvraj Gyawali.