Ahead of their first-ever public meeting in Kathmandu due on Friday, the Maoists seem to have revived their anti-India stance. A pamphlet circulated by the special central command of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists blames India and the US of conspiring to prevent a true democracy getting established in Nepal.

‘‘The imperialist US and the hegemonistic India are conspiring to prepare a master plan to retain ceremonial monarchy ... and stall advent of full-fledged democracy in the country,’’ the pamphlet says. Many thought that India’s involvement in bringing the Maoists and the seven-party alliance together on a 12-point understanding had softened the Maoists’ attitude towards India, but the pamphlet proves otherwise.

Friday’s rally, to be addressed by senior Maoist leaders, is likely to demand unconditional election to the Constituent Assembly. In all possibility, the rally would also be the formal launch of the pro-republic agenda of the party.

While Maoist cadres have painted walls in and around Kathmandu with pro-republic slogans, a sense of terror prevails as they have asked schools and factories to provide food and lodging to their cadres who will come to the rally from different parts of the country.

The security forces, especially the Nepal Army, appear demoralised with the Maoists’ grand preparation and the government’s indifference towards security arrangements to prevent any outbreak of violence. Home Minister Krishna Sitaula’s response in Parliament that deployment of army has not been ordered, was quite ‘‘irresponsible’’, a senior army official said.

Meanwhile, Maoist chief Prachanda has said that he may hold talks with PM Girija Prasad Koirala within a fortnight but wanted all senior rebel leaders to be freed from jails in India and Nepal before their parleys. The government has assured to take up the matter with India and make public whereabouts of people who disappeared after detention by security forces. —with PTI