HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Call for withdrawal
Bandh irrelevant: Leaders

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 18: Leaders of major political parties today said the five-day nation-wide shutdown next week called by the Maoists could weaken the already ailing economy and cripple the nation, and called for its withdrawal.

"The shutdown is irrelevant, and our party disapproves of it," UML lawmaker Subash Nemwang told a forum here this afternoon. "Political parties call for closures to show that people support their stand, but a forceful closure does not confirm support for the Maoists."

"The Maoists have been destroying development infrastructure and creating disorder, forcing people to question their intentions," Nemwang added. "They should immediately stop such activities."

Nemwang said the Maoists should ultimately take part in the political system, adding it was the right time to give a signal that they wanted to embrace the political process. "If they want to be a part of the political system, they should immediately withdraw their shutdown call."

"The government too should be serious and responsible to rid the nation of the existing crisis," he said. "The state executive has failed to fulfil its commitment to amend the Constitution and bring economic, social and political changes. To show that it is serious, it should match its words with deeds."

Nepali Congress leader Dr. Ram Baran Yadav blamed the government for being unable to guarantee security and said it should move ahead firmly to resolve the problems facing the country. He lauded the all-party unity against the Maoists and said they should stand united in the interest of the nation.

Yadav said the Maoists, if not controlled by some hidden force, should come to the mainstream. "They should withdraw the shutdown as it will only weaken the economy and harm the nation and democratic system. It will also provide ground to other forces to play. "

"The shutdown will not solve the problem," Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Buddhi Man Tamang said. "It will only cause a great loss to the nation. We will compel the government to talks with the Maoists if they withdraw their strike."

Lawmaker of National People's Front Pari Thapa said the call for closure was not in the interest of the nation and the people. "The motive behind it is not good."

Nepal Sadbhavana Party's General Secretary agreed, "The strike will paralyse the nation. It should be withdrawn."

He said the destruction of development infrastructure had affected the people and wondered, "For whom the Maoists are doing all this?"

He said the problem had to be solved through dialogues and asked the government to lead other parties to solve economic, social and political issues.

State Minister for Home, Devendra Raj Kandel said initiatives were underway in this direction. "The Prime Minister has been holding talks with the Opposition parties and civil society representatives to solve the problems in the economic, social and political fronts."

He said the government had made arrangements to provide security to the public during the shutdown during the five-day shutdown next week and asked all to open shops and use their vehicles. "Compensations will be provided in case anyone incurs any loss."

"The government will compensate the vehicle owners as well as the commuters if they bear losses,' State Minister for Works and Transport Shiva Raj Joshi said.

Defence Secretary Padam Prasad Acharya and the President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry stressed on joint efforts of all to restore peace in the country.

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