In an exclusive interview to Himalkhabar.com Home Minister Krishna P Sitaula assured that informal talks are already taking place and both parties are in favour of holding formal talks in a few days including talks with the prime minister and Maoist supremo Prachanda by the end of this week.

Sitaula said the main agenda would be constituent assembly, arms management and fixing dates for interim government. He said interim government with Maoists will be formed by July or August and constituent assembly elections will be held by April 2007.

Answering question on Siklesh talks, Sitaula said that both parties agreed to move per the 12-point understanding between the seven parties and the Maoists. Siklesh talks helped clear many confusions between the government and the Maoists, he said.

Sitaula also explained that as per the 12-point understanding, the army will be kept in the barracks and police will have to work towards peace and security. The main concern is managing the Maoist army and disarming them, we will ensure that both armies are monitored by a reliable organisation.

Home Minister also said that he firmly believed that the Maoists will not take up arms again because the 12-point argument came through when political antagonism was severe between the two parties. However, all have to be aware of the forces that will try to jeopardise their efforts to peace. Situala explained that all have to move ahead by forgetting our sour past. The longer we delay in forming the constituent assembly, the country will have to face more problems and the people will suffer more, Sitaula said.

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