Key Maoist ideologue Baburam Bhattarai and spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara today called on Indian Ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee as part of Maoist efforts to convince the international community about their “seriousness” in the peace process.

In fact, Bhattarai went to see V P Haran, Deputy Chief of Mission. Mukherjee joined in a little later. “They came to apprise us about the current political situation and the ongoing peace process,” an embassy official said. There are speculations that the Maoist leaders also requested the Indian authorities to release their comrades lodged in Indian jails for varied reasons.

This meeting, a first with any ambassador since the Maoists came overground for dialogue with the government, was requested by the Maoists. The US and UK embassies which have been working in close coordination with the Indian Embassy on the Maoist issue are, however, believed to have decided not to entertain their leaders at the ambassador level even if a meeting is requested.

This meeting of the Maoist leaders with Mukherjee has, however, come at a difficult time for the rebels as the Office of High Commissioner of Human Rights has asked the Maoists to investigate into the alleged killing of nine people from their side during the latest round of ceasefire.