Recently, Maoist supremo Prachanda stated his party would abstain from targeting civilians and political party workers and stressed that those captured by the rebels would be treated with respect, according to international law. But with Maoist atrocities growing there is now scepticism as to whether rebel leaders and cadres will keep the promise. The violence in Mankot of Bajura is evidence of the Maoist terror. They bombed the house of Juhare Luhar after he failed to serve food to a group of rebels, killing the man's three-year old son Lokendra. In another incident a young girl was burnt alive in a public vehicle. Only a few months back nearly 40 civilians were killed in the bus targeted by a rebel landmine in Chitwan. Frequent apologies after each incident start to appear farcical when such atrocities keep happening. These incidents are acts of terrorism and in no way can help the Maoists achieve political power or reconcile with the democratic parties. All this occurs at a time when the parties are showing interest in such a dialogue. If the rebels want to come into the political mainstream, they should stop their violent ways. Peace and terrorism don't go together.