Nepal scraps anti-terror laws, withdraws cases against rebels

NEPAL: Nepal's government scrapped anti-terrorism laws and withdrew cases against hundreds of jailed communist rebels after rebel leaders met with a government minister, officials said.

Several Maoist rebels have been freed since the government and the rebels declared a cease-fire and began peace talks in the past few weeks. However, hundreds remain in jail charged under the anti-terrorism laws.

The Cabinet met and decided anyone arrested or imprisoned under a tough anti-terrorism law imposed by the previous royal government would be freed, Information Minister Dilendra Badu said told reporters Monday after the meeting.

Rebel spokesman Krishna Mahara confirmed that the government had pledged to free 350 of their jailed members and supporters starting Monday.

The Cabinet decision followed a meeting between Home Minister Krishna Sitaula, and rebel leader Prachanda and his deputy Baburam Bhattarai at a remote mountain village on Sunday.

"The meeting has cleared all doubts and confusion that appeared to have obstructed the peace talks," Mahara told reporters Monday in the capital, Katmandu.

He said the two sides have been at odds since the first round of peace talks between the government and rebel negotiators last month - the first since they declared a cease-fire.

Prachanda, whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has accused the government and ruling seven-party alliance of focusing on minor issues rather than key elements of the peace process, such as creating a more inclusive interim government.

The anti-terrorism laws were enforced by the previous government of King Gyanendra to hunt down and prosecute rebels.

Many rebels had been charged with murder, kidnappings and crimes against the state under the anti-terrorism laws.

Weeks of street protests by the alliance of seven major political parties forced Gyanendra to give up powers, reinstate Parliament and appoint Girija Prasad Koirala as prime minister in April.

Since then, the new government and the rebels have declared a cease-fire and have been holding peace negotiations to end the conflict that has killed more than 13,000 people.

Kathmandu, Tuesday, AP