The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Kathmandu

Nepal's former rebel leader Prachanda has threatened to take up arms again if his demand for immediate abolition of the monarchy is not met, state media reported. Prachanda and the Maoists have been wrangling with mainstream political parties over their demands for the impoverished Himalayan nation to be immediately declared a republic. The Maoists formally ended their decade-long insurgency that claimed over 13,000 lives after striking a landmark peace deal in November last year. The ultra leftists joined hands with the political parties after weeks of massive pro-democracy protests forced King Gyanendra to end his 14 months of direct rule in April 2006. "We hoped that following 10 years of the people's war and 19-day people's movement (the pro-democracy protests) we should not fight anymore. However, we will be compelled to do so in case the parties in government and its head fail to understand this," the Rising Nepal quoted Prachanda as saying on Sunday.