PM Says King Has Paved The Way For Republic
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the King himself has paved the way for republic. Talking to journalists in Biratnagar on Monday (March 12), PM Koirala said that a new environment can still be created if the King and the Crown Prince step down. He said there was no need to declare republic as it was already coming in place. He said the statement by the King had only encouraged elements that want to derail the peace process and Constituent Assembly. He added that his earlier call of giving space to ceremonial monarchy was misunderstood. Likewise, PM Koirala reacted, for the first time, that the discrepancy between the number of arms and combatants registered by the Maoists was big. He also termed Prachanda’s remarks that ‘weapons were swept away by river and burnt down’ as irresponsible. He warned that any weapons found outside PM Koirala said all kinds of bandhs and strikes will end once the interim government is formed. Leading dailies report
MJF Withdraws Indefinite Bandh
Amid mounting pressures and growing defiance, the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) has withdrawn the indefinite bandh in Madhes. Addressing a press meet on Monday (March 12), MJF president Upendra Yadav said they will now change the nature of their agitation. “We will hold peaceful rallies,” he said. The MJF leader said they decided to withdraw bandh because of demands by the people and civil society. Activities like closure of custom points and government offices will, however, continue. He accused the government of being insensitive towards their demands. The MJF had been imposing indefinite bandh since March 6. On Monday, indefinite curfew had to be imposed in Inaruwa of Sunsari after clashes erupted between MJF activists and students who wanted to defy bandh. Later, a Maoist cadre was also killed in scuffle with MJF activists. Leading dailies report
Maoists Produce Plot CD
Maoist MP Janardan Sharma aka Prabhakar produced a CD at the parliament, on Monday, claiming that it contains details of plots by the royalists to derail the peace process. According to reports, the CD contains information that the palace had allocated Rs 600 million for purpose. Likewise, it alleges that a committee headed by Crown Prince Paras had been formed to implement those plots including assassination of top pro-republican leaders by using hit squads. The CD, the Maoists allege, were being distributed to army barracks to incite the army against them. The Maoists claim that they were informed about the CD by source within the army itself. The CD was handed over to Speaker Subas Nemwang. The Speaker said the CD was already handed over to the Home Minister. Leading dailies report
Thousands Of Weapons Still Outside, Says Prachanda
Maoist chairman Prachanda revealed that thousands of weapons and combatants that could not be registered with the United Nations are still outside cantonments. He said the Maoists were facing problems about where and how to manage them. Talking to reporters in Baglung on March 12, Prachanda said technical force capable of ‘hitting multiple places overnight’ also remained outside. Prachanda also said that PM’s remarks on republic had come as per the understanding with them. He also warned that if the eight parties did not make decision on their inclusion in the interim government and announce the date for CA polls, Maoists will declare republic on their own. Kantipur daily reports
NC Wants Maoists To Behave; Prachanda Asks His Cadres To Do So
In a significant move, the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) has asked the government not to induct Maoists in the interim government till the latter completely behaves like a political party and stops from engaging in forceful and intimidating acts. It asked the Maoists to immediately return seized properties; allow displaced persons to return home; and stop display of arms. The meeting also expressed concern over the huge disparity in the number of combatants and weapons registered by the Maoists. Meanwhile, Maoist chairman Prachanda has directed his cadres, members and associates to help in the rehabilitation of the displaced people, return their properties seized during the war and in the management of the arms. In a statement he issued on Thursday (March 8) afternoon, Prachanda asked the party members to work on war-footing to complete these tasks with timetable as per the commitments expressed in the agreement reached earlier with the seven parties. The statement comes a day after prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala asked Prachanda to stop the unruly activities of the party cadres seen in the recent days and create environment for their inclusion in the interim government. In strong words, Prachanda has also asked the government to immediately release the remaining Maoist cadres from jail, publicise the status of the disappeared people, ensure the proper management of food and other necessities of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the cantonments and take initiatives for implementation of the agreements and understandings. Compiled from reports
Maoists Register Commitment Motion On Republic
Maoists have registered a commitment motion at the legislative parliament on Thursday (March 8) proposing that the House declare republic if the King makes any move to thwart Constituent Assembly (CA) elections. The motion registered by Maoist MPs Khim Lal Devkota and Janardan Sharma ‘Prabhakar’ proposes to insert a restrictive clause to the Article 159 (3) of the interim constitution – which states that the fate of monarchy will be determined by the simple majority at the first meeting of the CA. The Maoists’ restrictive clause states that notwithstanding what is mentioned in this article, the interim parliament can remove monarchy by two-third majority if the King makes any move to thwart the CA polls. According to Maoist MP Khim Lal Devkota, they registered the proposal after notifying all eight parties. Likewise, People’s Front’s MP Lilamani Pokharel registered a separate commitment motion proposing to end monarchy and declare republic. Both the motions have been registered as non-governmental bills. They have been registered as bills to be considered in the second phase of amendment of the interim constitution. The eight parties have already decided to amend the constitution in two phases – in the first phase they have agreed to pass the first amendment bill on Friday. nepalnews.com reports
Sherchan Dismisses Claims By Rayamajhi
Dismissing the claims made by Krishna Jung Rayamajhi and other members of Rayamajhi Commission – which has submitted its report recommending action against oppressors of people’s movement – deputy prime minister Amik Sherchan said that the report does not accuse the King over the repression. Speaking at an interaction program in Reporters’ Club on Thursday, Sherchan also said that the report does not recommend strict actions against guilty persons as expected by the people. He said Rayamajhi commission members were making empty claims that they have recommended action against the King. He said the government will soon make the report public. “It seems the commission members are making false claims as they think that the government might never make their report public,” he said. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports
Crude Bombs At Pandey’s And Pahadi’s Place
Crude bombs were discovered from the residences of civil society leaders Dr. Devendra Raj Pandey and Krishna Pahadi. Police later disposed them off. At Pandey’s house in Bishalnagar, police discovered a two-liter pressure cooker bomb inside a black bag. Dr. Pandey is currently in London to attend the conference organized by Department for International Development (DfID). Likewise, a crude bomb was also discovered from the residence of Krishna Pahadi. He accused the forces disturbed by their movements for democracy of trying to explode bombs and scare them. Leading dailies report
Solheim Satisfied With Peace Process
Erik Solheim, Minister for International Development of Norway, said that he was satisfied with the ongoing peace process in Nepal . Addressing a press meet on Thursday (March 8), Solheim said an inclusive interim government should be formed soon. He said the formation of such government will send important message to both people of Nepal and international community. “Important and complicated questions on the future of state structure and democratic organization of Nepal should be left to the constituent assembly to decide, as its democratic legitimacy will be vested in people’s choice,” Solheim said. Solheim visited Chitwan cantonment of Maoist on Thursday before he returned after wrapping up two-day visit to Nepal . During his visit, he met with Prime Minister Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda. Leading dailies report
Danish Support To Peace Process
The Board of DANIDA (Danish International Development Assistance) has approved a grant of Rs 600 million for support to the ongoing peace process in Nepal . “Acknowledging the challenging but positive situation in Nepal, the Board of DANIDA found it highly relevant, that Denmark over the next years provides support to a broad range of stakeholders working for peace in Nepal, as a natural consequence of Denmark’s long-standing support to the countries democratic forces,” states a press release issued by the Danish Embassy in Kathmandu. Finn Thilsted, Danish Ambassador, stated, “Without a successful peace process there will be a very limited scope for sustainable development in Nepal . Only through a fully inclusive peace process that meets the expectations of the Nepalese people will it be possible to create democracy, stability and economic growth.
Denmark will support the efforts of all spheres of the Nepalese society to achieve this well deserved goal. Our support to the peace process will be given to the Government of Nepal and to the Nepalese civil society, which will continue to play an essential role in the time ahead.” Compiled from reports
EC Worried Over Delay
The Election Commission (EC) is worried with the delay in reaching political decisions by the eight parties, which it says could impede the holding of CA polls on time. The EC officials are concerned that though only three months remain, the eight parties have not yet fixed date for the elections. Likewise, five important electoral legislations are yet to be enacted. “Parties have not kept their commitments so there is confusion regarding the polls,” said an EC official. Till now, only one electoral legislation has been enacted. Four others – Bill on EC; Bill on Elections (Crime and Punishment); Bill of CA Court; and Bill on Political Parties – are under discussion at the parliament. The sixth but the most important Bill on CA Members Elections is only being drafted. After they are enacted, around 20 different guidelines and 5 different Rules will have to be formulated. Leading dailies report
MPC Lifts League Title
The Mahendra Police Club (MPC) lifted this year’s league title by defeating the Tribhuwan Army Club (TAC) 2-0 in the decider match on Thursday (March 8). TAC stands in the second position at the league ladder this year followed by Three Stars Club in the Martyrs’ Memorial A Division League Tournament organized by All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). The MPC bagged Rs 2 million prize money. Captain of MPC Hari Khadka was declared best player of the tournament and bagged a Toyota car. Likewise, MPC coach Birat Krishna Shrestha was named best coach. He bagged a motorcycle. This year Brigade Boys’ Club and Saraswati Club were relegated to B division. Leading dailies report
