Nepal PM urges rebels to disarm
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Nepal's prime minister has urged Maoist rebels to give up their weapons and has promised to improve infrastructure and create jobs in the impoverished countryside where around 75 percent of the 27 million people live. Much of the support for the Maoist rebels comes from the rural poor. It is Girija Prasad Koirala's first policy statement since taking office in April.
In February 2005, King Gyanendra sacked his cabinet, dismissed parliament and seized absolute power. Months of protests which saw the opposition and the Maoist rebels working together eventually forced the king to reinstate parliament in April 2006. Around 12,000 people have been killed since the Maoist rebellion began 12 years ago. The rebels declared a unilateral ceasefire in April. |
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