YCL Cadres Thrash Dolakha CDO; Curfew Clamped In Charikot
Enraged over the detention of their comrade by the district administration on charges of beating another political leader of the district, the cadres of Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) ran amok in the Dolakha district headquarters Charikot on Sunday (July 29). They physically assaulted the Chief District Officer Uddhav Bahadur Thapa demanding that all cases be withdrawn against their comrade Bishal Khadka. They barged into CDO's office, beat him up and vandalized the office. Subsequently, there were clashes between the police and the YCL cadres triggering unrest across Charikot. Two dozen YCL activists and at least 10 policemen were injured in the clash. Later, the local administration clamped curfew from 5:30 pm Sunday till 5 am Monday in Charikot. The YCL activists were demonstrating for the release of Khadka, who is facing a case under the Public Offense Act for publicly assaulting Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leader Sundar Prasad Khadka a few days back. A few months ago, the YCL cadres had similarly assaulted CDO of Kanchanpur district. Leading dailies report
Maoists Want Their Envoy In US, UK, India Or China
Stating that they want their envoy installed in one of the four countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, India or China, Maoists have said that lack of understanding on this demand has resulted in delay in making ambassadorial appointments. CP Gajurel, chief of the party's international relations cell, said that since other seven parties who have already selected their nominees in these countries are finding it difficult to withdraw those names, the appointment has been delayed. He said that if Maoist are allocated altogether four countries including one of the afore-mentioned four countries, then the issue could be settled. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports
NC MP Sharma Passes Away
Nepali Congress MP Dilli Raj Sharma passed away at the age of 61 in Lamjung on Sunday (July 29) morning. He died of heart attack at Lamjung community hospital. Sharma had gone to Lamjung in order to inspect local jails along with a team of MPs and other activists. Later, Sharma's body was kept at NC party headquarters in Sanepa for paying last tributes. The interim parliament Subas Nemwang expressed sorrow at the death of Sharma. The cabinet meeting, too, expressed the grief. Sharma used to represent Parbat number two constituency. Leading dailies report
PM, Prachanda Discuss CA Polls
In the wake of suspension of cabinet meeting on Friday (July 27), Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda held one and a half hour long talks on Saturday evening focusing on ways to create election atmosphere. Prachanda went to Baluwatar on Saturday evening after returning to the capital from a trip to Jhapa district. He is said to have talked about strengthening eight party unity and creating election atmosphere across the country. According to Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel, the two discussed about the resumption of verification of Maoist combatants, the need to return seized lands and properties, among others. Senior Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai informed that the discussion also took up issues such as Madhes problem, appointment of ambassadors etc. Earlier, talking to reporters in Bhadrapur, Jhapa on Saturday morning, Prachanda stressed on strengthening eight party unity to ensure Constituent Assembly (CA) elections dismissing some Maoist leaders' assertion that they might walk out of the government. After the controversy that erupted with the sudden change of guards by Nepali Army (NA) for Maoist ministers, the latter had addressed a press conference stating they could review their decision to remain in the government. Prachanda said that eight parties need to take out joint political programs in Terai districts. Meanwhile, Maoists are holding their central committee meeting beginning Sunday in Kathmandu. The meeting is being held ahead of their expanded meeting (plenum), which is set to begin from August 1. The central committee meeting is expected to fine tune the party's agenda at the crucial plenary session where Maoist leaders from district level chiefs would be taking part. nepalnews.com reports
Chure Withdraws Agitation
Following the talks between the government and Chure Bhawar Ekata Samaj on Thursday (July 26), the latter has withdrawn its planned agitation beginning July 28. The meeting took place in Godavari. At the meeting, the government team led by Peace and Reconstruction Minister Ram Chandra Poudel agreed to provide relief to the family of Mangal Bahadur Gurmachan, who was killed in Dhunge Khola of Sarlahi district during Madhes agitation. Poudel said that as far as the Samaj's demand of releasing nine persons of hill origin who have been arrested on charges of killing a Madhesi man in Dhanusha's Yagyabhumi VDC, the government would look into the case 'sympathetically,' as the case is already under judicial consideration. Samaj leader Keshab Mainali, however, claimed that the Madhesi man was killed by a mob after a crowd set on fire nine tractors belonging to people of hill origin. The government team assured the Samaj leaders that the jurisdiction of an investigation committee, formed under the chairmanship of Supreme Court judge Khilraj Regmi, would be expanded to cover the incidents that occurred in Chure Bhawar region. The Regmi committee was earlier formed to probe incidents during Madhes agitation. A member of government talks team, Minister of State Gyanendra Karki said that the two sides ended the dialogue amicably by agreeing to again sit within mid-August. The Chure Bhawar Ekata Samaj has been demanding security and protection of rights of people of hilly origin living in Madhes region. They have also demanded autonomous status for Chure Bhawar region. In previous talks, they forwarded 23-point demands. Leading dailies report
Goit Ready To Talk Under UN Aegis
Jai Krishna Goit-led faction of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) has said it is ready to hold dialogue with the government provided the United Nations or any other credible international agency agrees to broker it. Goit hinted at the possibility of talks in his letter to Chief of United Nations Mission in Nepal, Ian martin, on July 13. However, he also cautioned that it would be impossible to hold talks with the government until it "builds an amicable environment". Saying that his group would continue to fight for the rights of Madheshi people, Goit said they were, however, not against talks. Meanwhile, senior official at the UNMIN confirmed that Martin had received Goit's letter, but added that the UNMIN was yet to take up the issue. Martin is currently in New York to apprise the UN top brass about Nepal's peace process. Nepalnews.com reports
Mahara Claims NA Changed Guards Without PM's Knowledge
After meeting with Prime Minister Griija Prasad Koirala on Wednesday (July 25) morning, the Maoist leader and Information Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara has claimed that the Nepali Army (NA) had changed guards for Maoist ministers without Prime Minister's knowledge. Mahara told reporters that he "understood that the NA had changed the guards without the PM's knowledge." Prime Minister Koirala also holds Defense portfolio. Meanwhile, after the meeting of delegation of Maoist ministers with the PM, the Maoists have downplayed their earlier position that they were reconsidering whether to remain in the government. Likewise, Maoist ministers also discussed about the need to quickly make appointments in key constitutional positions and ambassadors before the Election Commission (EC) enforces code of conduct – which will bar the government from making new appointments or transfers till the election. "We talked mainly on two things. First was the need to make appointments in key posts before the EC enforces code of conduct for which we have less than a week remaining. The second was the issue of NA change of guards," Mahara said. Compiled from reports
Parliament Directs Govt To Publicize Rayamajhi Report
Speaker Subas Nemwang, on Tuesday (July 24), made a ruling directing the government to make the Rayamajhi Commission report public at the soonest. After the lawmakers raised strong objections at the government's indifference to their earlier calls, the Speaker made the ruling. "Drawing the attention (of the government) to this serious matter, I direct the government to make the report public without delay," Speaker said. At the parliament meeting, MP of People's Front Lilamani Pokharel had said that the government had violated the Special Prerogatives of the parliament by not abiding with its earlier directive. Rayamajhi Commission was formed last year to probe the allegations of repression against People's Movement. Leading dailies report
Limbu Retorts, Says He Can Talk With Anyone He Likes
In response to media reports about suspicious phone calls made by acting chief of Commissioner for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) Lalit Bahadur Limbu to pro-palace officials and operator of a bank, against which the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) had taken action coinciding with the filing of case against NRB governor by CIAA, Limbu has said that it is his right to make calls to anyone he likes. "It is not illegal to talk with people. It will be worth considering only if such talks have affected decision-making," Limbu said at a press meet on Tuesday (July 24). According to report by Kantipur daily, the day CIAA filed case of corruption against NRB governor Bijaynath Bhattarai, Limbu had made six phone calls to Laxmi Bahadur Shrestha, promoter of Nepal Bangladesh Bank (NBB) and chairman of Nepal Credit and Commerce Bank. Just a few months ago, the NRB had dismissed the NBB management after the latter's financial condition was found to be very bad. The daily has added that in last three and a half months, Limbu has talked with Shrestha 73 times. Likewise, he also made 19 calls to a number registered under Royal Palace. Limbu said that he talked with his brother Gajendra Limbu, who used to be military secretary at the palace. Limbu who became a member of CIAA during royal regime claimed he is a democrat. He also urged all to be alert about moves to malign his image as he has reached high office despite coming from Janjati background. Even though another CIAA commissioner was against his decision, Limbu had filed case of corruption against Bhattarai and NRB director Surendra Man Pradhan a month ago. At the press meet, Limbu also warned that there could be investigation on Nepal Telecom for providing information regarding the calls he had made. Leading dailies report
Gyawali Worried By Maoist-NA Spat
Former minister and UML leader Pradeep Gyawali has expressed concerns over the public spat between the Maoist ministers and Nepali Army (NA). A former government negotiator, Gyawali, said the bitterness between Maoists and a government organ could endanger the peace process. "The non-transparent style of government has invited this problem," he said, speaking at the parliament. He also added that without forming the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as per the peace agreement and constitution, it is 'meaningless to cast aspersions against soldiers of a particular battalion.' "The Maoists side, too, have committed as much rights abuses as the case of disappearance of 49 inmates. Until proven guilty by investigation, all should be treated as innocent. Resolution of this problem should be sought through Truth and Reconciliation Commission," Gyawali said. Kantipur daily reports
India Ready To Help In Controling Terai Violence: Yechury
Indian communist leader Sitaram Yechury said India was against those who wish to disintegrate Nepal. At an interaction in the capital, Yechury said India was willing to give necessary help to control violence in Terai. He said security forces of both sides were preparing to strengthen the security situation. He also hoped that CA election will take place on time and added that a dangerous situation could emerge if it does not. During his Nepal visit, Yechury met with Prime Minister Koirala, UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, NC-Democratic leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports
