Friday, May 26 2006 13:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Nepal Government's newly formed negotiation team led by Home Minister Krishna Sitoula will hold a formal dialogue with the Maoists in a day or two,a senior Minister said today (May 26, 2006) .

"We will start the talks soon, probably on Friday or Saturday," said Minister of State for Labour and Transport Management Ramesh Lekhak and one of the three member of the government's talks team.

"This time the talks will be held in a cordial atmosphere and in a serious manner. We want a dialogue that is result oriented," he said.

The team led by Sitoula also comprises Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Pradip Gyawali.

Maoists chief negotiator Krishna Bahadur Mahara has already arrived in the capital for talks besides other two members Dinanath Sharma and Dev Gurung.

Lekhak said the government has been involved in preparations for initiating the talks.

Ahead of the talks, the government yesterday released 100 more Maoists detained in different jails to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue, Home Ministry sources said.

So far, more than 700 rebels detained in various jails have been freed, the sources added. There are still 400 more Maoists detained in jails under different criminal offences and court's clearance is required for their release.

The government has, however, released 29 such Maoists after withdrawing cases against them, the sources said.