Indian Ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee had a meeting with Maoist leader Prachanda amidst persisting deadlock over the issue of arms management that still threatens the peace process.

“The meeting took place for over an hour in the Indian embassy at the request of Ambassador Mukherjee,” information officer Gopal Bagle said.

There is speculation that Prachanda was given a clear message not to miss the chance of getting into the parliamentary process, which the Maoists had agreed to under an Indian initiative about a year ago. Besides, Mukherjee is also believed to have objected to Maoists harassing Indian business houses and employees in Nepal.

Mukherjee had conveyed a similar concern to Prime Minister GP Koirala two days ago, which was promptly conveyed to Prachanda, a source in the PMO said. A minister, however, said Koirala is reconciled to the fact of the Maoists’ disregard for rule of law would continue unless they are included in the government and “the Prime Minister is now concentrating on that”.

This was Mukherjee’s first meeting with Prachand who has been refusing to subject his arms to be stored under a UN seal. Mukherjee’s subtle message that Maoists should not miss the chance is being seen as a hint that they should be realistic on the issue of arms management as the election to the Constituent Assembly can only take place in an atmosphere free from fear and intimidation.