Hold on to peace

The truce with the Chand-led party is a much-needed flicker of hope for Nepalis, who have been sick of political violence.

The signing of a three-point agreement between the government and the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal has brought a new bout of euphoria in Nepali society which was desperately waiting to see an end to yet another iteration of violent politics. As per the deal, the party will seek to address its political issues through dialogue; the government, on its part, will release the party's cadres from jail and drop court cases against them, and lift the ban on the party’s activities. The government is understood to have begun honouring its commitments right after signing the deal.