Do More With Reuters
Partner Services

Nepal Maoists say to return property seized in war

Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:53am IST
 
Email | Print | | Single Page
[-] Text [+]

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nepal's former Maoist rebels have said they will return land and property they seized during a decade-long civil war as part of a peace deal that brought them into the political mainstream.

Maoists, who began fighting the monarchy in 1996, forced thousands from their homes when they seized land and property during the war that killed more than 13,000 people.

Political parties complained the Maoists had not returned the seized property to its owners, despite promising to do so after emerging as the largest party in elections held in April under a 2006 peace deal.

"We'll return the seized property to their owners by mid-December," Prime Minister Prachanda, the Maoist chief who still uses his nom de guerre rather than his real name Pushpa Kamal Dahal, told a special assembly late on Tuesday.

"Compensation will be paid to those who do not get their property," he said.

The Maoists have also promised to let more than 200,000 people displaced by war return to their homes.

They have vowed revolutionary land reforms and promised land to landless farmers in one of the world's poorest countries.

A Greek flag at the Bank of Greece is seen near a statue of ancient philosopher Socrates in Athens February 5, 2010.  REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis/Files
Greek crisis sets euro zone enlargement back

The Greek debt crisis has dealt a setback to prospects of enlarging the euro zone by highlighting the difficulties of managing the single currency area.  Full Article 

An Afghan National Army soldier is seen in Wardak province southwest of Kabul January 30, 2010. REUTERS/Mustafa Andalib
India rethinks Afghan policy

An initiative by Western powers seeking peace with the Taliban in Afghanistan is forcing India to modify its policy toward the hardline Islamists to avoid being marginalised.  Full Article 

Photo