Tuesday, June 13 2006 10:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Ahead of expected talks between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chief Prachanda, Nepal's Government yesterday(June 12, 2006) decided to withdraw all cases against the rebels currently detained in various jails under the anti-terror act and release them.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Koirala also decided not to pursue further investigations against the Maoist cadres facing charges under the anti-terror law.

Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the government has agreed to free hundreds of rebels prisoners in a bid to boost the peace process.

"The Government has assured us that they will release 350 of our comrades today and drop charges against them. After these releases there will still be around 250 in prison," he said, adding it has also promised that "They are going to help us get the comrades in India released." Releasing the jailed cadres is one of the preconditions set by the Maoists to move ahead the peace process, Minister for Information and Communication Dilendra Badu told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

"Prisoners detained under the royally imposed Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Ordinance are in the process of being released," he said.

The decision came as Maoist chief negotiator Mahara announced that Koirala and rebel chief Prachanda will hold summit-level talks soon to resolve the decade-old-conflict in the country.

Mahara also said that the elections to the Constituent Assembly are not very far.