 |
| |
VOL. 27, NO. 29, March 28, 2008 (Chaitra 15 2064 B.S.)
|
|
Unbridled Rise
From CEC to UNMIN, everyone is concerned with the unbridled rise of poll-related violence
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
Hours after the top leaders of the seven parties including Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda had a serious discussion, on Monday (March 24), to try and end the inter-party clashes in the run up to the election, there were two brazen attacks by the Maoist cadres.
A day after Prachanda had criticized what he called 'big media' for reporting one-sided criticism against Maoists for inter-party clashes, the cadres of Young Communist League (YCL) attacked and disrupted the election rally held by a pro-monarchy party Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP-Nepal).
They also vandalized the vehicle carrying senior Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) leader KP Oli in Jhapa on the same day.
Prachanda's assertions notwithstanding, the clashes have continued, particularly at the hands of his party cadres.
Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Bhojraj Pokharel has expressed sadness over the growing cases of poll-related violence across the country. Addressing a press meet held at the newly established Media Center in Kantipath, Pokharel said, "The EC urges all the parties and the candidates to peacefully hold their programs and campaigning and refrain from any kind of violence and fully abide by the election code of conduct."
"Thousands of national and international observers are keeping a close watch on the whole of our election process. If EC's requests for abiding by the code of conduct is not followed, the EC can take stringent actions including imposing fine, canceling candidacy or annuling the voting in booths from where any forceful actions are reported," said Pokharel.
In the matter of last one week, three Maoist cadres have been killed by unknown gangs – two in Rolpa and one in Kapilvastu district.
On the other hand, Nepali Congress leaders and workers were physically assaulted by Maoist workers in Okhaldhunga and Rolpa district.
