The Nepali government will hold talks with as many as 12 armed groups
operating in the southern Nepal's Terai within the next two weeks, according to
Local Development Minister Ramchandra Jha.
According to local newspaper The Himalayan Times on Sunday, Jha, who is also
a member of the government's talks committee, however, declined to give the
names of the armed groups that are likely to take part in the talks.
He said that he is in contact with the willing groups through government
emissaries, added that he had directly talked to some of the leaders of the
armed groups over phone during his journey to one of the north Indian cities.
Jha said he asked the armed groups not to attach any condition, or the
opportunity might be lost.
