February 12, 2002	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 28, 1422

KATHMANDU, Feb 11: At least 11 Maoist rebels were killed in clashes with security forces in Nepal, the defence ministry said on Monday, as Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba declared there would be no imminent end to the nation’s state of emergency.

“At least 11 terrorists were killed in several western parts of the country between Saturday and Sunday when they clashed with the army,” a statement said.

Arms, explosives and bombs were also recovered in the operations and 22 people were arrested.

Deuba ruled out lifting the state of emergency in the near future unless Maoist rebels surrendered their arms and enter peace talks in comments shortly before the latest violence.

“It may take some time more before I will be successful in controlling the Maoist terrorists,” he said.

“The actions against the Maoists have helped the law and order situation in the districts outside with the people showing confidence in the security provided by security personnel,” Deuba told reporters on Sunday.

“We have achieved a great deal of success, a sizable quantity of explosives and arms have been seized from the Maoist terrorists.”

But to successfully end the insurgency, the emergency has to be extended, he said.

In order to do so, he needs a two-thirds majority in the 205-member lower house of parliament, which could be difficult as opposition parties have said they want to see it lifted.

Deuba’s ruling Nepali Congress party has 113 MPs.

The prime minister had initiated a ceasefire between the government and the rebels in July last year.

“I had wished to stop the killings of Nepalese by Nepalese and initiated dialogue to solve problem,” he said..

“The Maoists virtually stabbed me in the back by breaking the peace dialogue and resuming terrorism by attacking the army, policemen and looting banks at different places,” he said.

“In the process of dialogue, many of the Maoists had been released and their demands had been fulfilled but they deceived me.”—AFP