KATHMANDU, June 2: More than 100,000 Maoist rebels and supporters on Friday thronged Kathmandu where top leaders addressed their first mass meeting here and offered to merge forces with Nepal’s army.

The giant gathering swelled to around 180,000 people, according to estimates by diplomats, overflowing a large open air theatre earmarked for the event.

People were pushed up against perimeter fences, and hanging from trees to escape the crush and get a better view. The army allowed crowds to spill over into an adjoining military parade ground that also quickly filled up.

Adjacent main roads less than a kilometre from King Gyanendra’s huge palace were packed.

Security was low-key with few officers visible as rebel leaders who have been underground for years addressed the crowd.

“We are willing to merge with the army if everything is settled with the government,” announced Maoist military commander Prabhakar who uses one name.

Krishna Bahadur Mahara, the head of the Maoist peace talks team, said the rebels had been complying with a ceasefire code of conduct, but the government had not.

“We have given 100 percent in implementing the code of conduct but the government has not. The government has breached the code of conduct as security forces are manning the streets carrying weapons. We are watching this with suspicion,” Mahara said to applause and whistle-blowing. Maoists sang revolutionary songs and watched traditional dances in between speeches.

The event was however marred by some violence with one man badly beaten by a Maoist mob who suspected him of stirring trouble.

Nepal’s Maoists are in a stronger position than ever after King Gyanendra ended 14 months of direct rule last month following weeks of pro-democracy protests organized by opposition parties in concert with the rebels.—AFP