Friday, July 7 2006 18:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Nepali Congress (Democratic) headed by former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today (July 7, 2006) said the Maoists must lay down arms in order to create a fear-free atmosphere for elections to a new constituent assembly which will draw up a new constitution.

Deuba, party leader, told a news conference here that the elections could not be held until there was a 'free-from-fear atmosphere' in Nepal and the people of the country want an assurance from the Maoists in this regard.

"They have to assure the people of Nepal on arms management they have to stop extortion and return looted properties," said Deuba, whose Nepali Congress (Democratic) is part of the Seven-Party Alliance running the transitional government since the end of Kind Gyanendra's rule.

Deuba referred to Kathmandu's move to ask the UN to monitor the number of weapons held by both sides ahead ofelections.

"I don't know the contents of the letter (from the government to the United Nations) but what I have learnt is that it is a request to the UN to assist Nepal in arms management," he said.

Deuba, who met Leader of the Opposition L K Advani today and is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow, said his country need India's support in consolidating democracy in Nepal.