Home Minister Balkrishna Khand during a press meet organised at the Ministry on October 30 said talks with Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist-Chand) were continuous, reports The Himalayan Times. Minister Khand reiterated that the Government was committed to ensuring durable peace in the country by concluding the peace process through continuous dialogue and discussion with all political parties. It was informed at the press meet that homework was under way to withdraw the cases filed against leaders/ cadres of the CPN-Maoist-Chand and release them in a lawful manner. The homework is being done jointly by the Office of Attorney General, Home Ministry and Law Ministry to identify the cases and condition of the detainees, Minister Khand said, adding, "There has been agreement to discuss in a focused way to carry forward the talks."
Meanwhile, Netra Bikram Chand aka Biplav, the General Secretary of CPN-Maoist-Chand has reiterated the need of holding a referendum to decide the system of governance, reports Khabarhub on October 31. He said that system of governance should be decided by the people through a referendum — whether they want scientific socialism or a system ruled by the bourgeoisie. “If the Nepali Congress and the other parties in the government are democrats, that’s fine. We want to face the elections once,” he said. Biplav also said that the country should go for a referendum so that people would be able to decide their own fate. He further stated that he has already talked to CPN-Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” and CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli to hold a referendum.