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Armed Terai groups announce programmes to disrupt CA poll; Maoist combatants deserting camp

As the country is prepares for the historic election to the constituent assembly, four armed groups of Terai region have announced various protest programmes aimed at disrupting the polls.

Issuing a joint statement on Sunday, the Madheshi Mukti Tigers, Terai Cobra, Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha and Samyukta Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha announced such protest programmes.

As part of their protest programmes aimed at foiling CA polls, the four armed groups said that they would carry out explosions in the city areas and district headquarters on 19th March, carry out firings and torch rallies on 20th March.

Similarly, the joint statement also warned to take physical action against the candidates and people involved in election publicity campaigns along with officials of Election Commission 25th March. They have also called Madhesh bandh (shutdown strike) on 28th March to 30 March, burn effigies of Madhesi leaders Mahanta Thakur, Upendra Yadav and Rajendra Mahato on 3 April.

Similarly, they have also announced general strike in Madhesh from 7 to the election day, 10 April. They said people would not be allowed to even walk on foot on 9 and 10 April.

Stating that the statement of Prime Minister not to hold talks with any groups before the CA polls is a ploy against Madheshi people the statement added that there will be no need for talks after the election. The armed groups have also given three-day ultimatum to the government for holding talks with them.

Meanwhile, a report from Surkhet said more than half of the Maoist combatants in Dashrathpur cantonment have left the cantonment site and have returned to their village. One combatant of the camp, who reached the district headquarters said on condition of anonymity that the combatants have returned to their village for publicity during the CA polls.

However, other political parties describe this as part of the Maoists’ ploy to capture booths or exert psychological pressure on the voters during the polls. The Maoists had announced that they would mobilise 200 YCL cadres in a booth on the election day.

Meanwhile, INSEC mid-western regional Office has established a 24-hour hotline service to monitor the violations of human rights during the elections and breach of election code of conduct.

A statement issued by INSEC Mid-Western Regional Office stated that the hotline service was established to discourage forceful acts during the election period by publicizing such reports through www.inseconline.org.

Documentation officer at INSEC regional office, Pratibedan Baidya, said people could file such reports to telephone numbers 081-524504 or 98580-22426.

The rights group further said it was monitoring the situation in all the districts of mid-western region through its district representatives and other networks. nepalnews.com Mar 16 08