Government declares ceasefire against Maoist rebels during Buddhist summit
Kathmandu (AsiaNews/Agencies) Nepalese authorities have announced a three-day ceasefire in Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace in south-western Nepal, to allow a three-day World Buddhist Conference scheduled for late November.
"During the conference, the government will not undertake any military action [in the Lumbini area] for the duration of the World Buddhist Conference," Deep Kumar Upadhyay, Nepal's Culture and Tourism Minister, said.
The conference starts on November 30 and runs for three days. It will be inaugurated by King Gyanendra and attended by scholars, monks and dignitaries from at least 40 countries.
One of the main aims of the conference is to develop Lumbini as the "city of world peace" as well as draw more tourists to Buddha's birthplace and other holy sites in the mostly Hindu Kingdom.
Lumbini was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO. It contains museums and a sacred garden where, according to tradition, Buddha was born in 623 BC.
Maoist rebels, who have been fighting the government for the past several years, have not yet responded to the government initiative.
Since 1996, when the Maoist uprising began, more than 10,000 people have died two thirds Maoist rebels. The rebels want to abolish the monarchy and set up a Communist state in Nepal.
Recently, the western part of the Kingdom has been the scene of clashes. According to independent sources there were several victims but no overall figure was available.
The authorities however reported 66 rebels and 10 soldiers killed. The rebels have denied the government claim claiming the loss of 9 of their own and 19 among army troops.
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12/07/2006
