The Communist Party of Maoists-Nepal (CPN-M) on Sunday criticised the governments of India and Sri Lanka for their “oppressive” campaigns against rebels in the two countries. The CPN-M said its central committee opposed such “repressions” and felt such methods used by the state against armed groups will be counter productive.

CPN-M chief Prachanda said the party would maintain close contacts with COMPOSA (Coordination of Maoist Parties of South Asia), which has its underground headquarters in India, and RIM (Revolutionary International Movement), an umbrella body of ultra-left militants worldwide.

This is the first time that Prachanda has given a clear message that the CPN-M’s joining the peace process in Nepal three years ago does not mean giving up arms, and that it supports any armed movement outside the country. He also set a four-day deadline for the Nepal government to correct the “unconstitutional step” of reinstating army chief R Katawal. “If our demands are not met within the deadline set, we will start people’s revolt,” he said.