KATHMANDU, April 19 -- Netra Bikram Chand's Communist Party of Nepal appears headed for a face-off with the government after an ultimatum issued by Prime Minister KP Oli to the outfit to surrender arms expired Thursday.

On March 14, the government, just a few days after prohibiting the activities of semi-underground outfit, had issued a 35-day deadline to Chand to surrender arms and sit for talks with the government. Chand had issued a counter-ultimatum demanding that the government lift the ban on his outfit by April 13 or face the prospect of a parallel government.

With neither side apparently unwilling to relent, it is unclear how the two sides will move forward in the days ahead.

Options are limited for both the government and the ...