Return seized assests, govt tells Maoists

He asked both the government and the Maoists to agree on a code of conduct for initiating a dialogue. ‘‘If the Maoists are coming for a dialogue with sincerity then why should they continue recruiting youths into their militia?’’ he asked. He said the CPN-UML had already chosen the path of democratic republic, adding the party would respect the people’s verdict during the Constituent Assembly and the King should too follow suit.

Meanwhile, a senior leader of Maoists has arrived in Kathmandu to meet government leaders and said on Monday he had ‘‘big hopes’’ for proposed peace talks. ‘‘We have come with the message that we can establish a peaceful and progressive Nepal,’’ Krishna Bahadur Mahara told independent Nepal FM radio, a day after he arrived here.

He is to head a three-member rebel team that will hold talks to prepare for a meeting between Maoist chief Prachanda and Prime Minister Girija Prasasd Koirala. The new parliament approved a plan to hold elections for a special assembly to decide the future of monarchy, a key rebel demand to end their civil war.

‘‘We have come with big hopes this time,’’ said Mahara, who is yet to emerge in public. The government has chosen Home (interior) Minister

Krishna Prasad Sitaula to participate in the talks. Previous peace talks with the rebels collapsed in 2001 and 2003 over the future of monarchy.

Mahara said the government was not serious then. ‘‘This time the situation is different,’’ he added. ‘‘We hope that we don’t have to take up arms again.’’ Last week, the parliament approved sweeping curbs on the King’s powers, including his control over the Army.