Govt braces up for Maoist agitation

Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU: The government extended on Tuesday prohibitory orders to more areas to ward off trouble during the Maoists’ Singha Durbar gherao scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

The Home Ministry stated no protest can be organised at least 100 metres from the Padmodaya Mod and protests can only be organised up to Kalikasthan from Dillibazar.

UCPN-Maoist Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the government seemed to be scared of the Maoist stir. “We have not decided to violate the prohibitory orders but the party condemns the new decision and urges people to maintain restrain,” he said.

The UCPN-M decided to intensify their ongoing stir, claiming that the government had remained indifferent to their demands. The decision was taken at a meeting of the office bearers of the party held at its central office in Paris Danda, Koteshwor. Shrestha said after the meeting that the parties and the government had been spreading the rumour that the Maoists were ready to allow them to pass the budget, which was not true. “The government should create conducive environment for parliament functioning or else it will be held responsible for the consequences,” he added.

Meanwhile, thousands of people were stranded today at entry points to the Valley due to the blockade called by the Maoists. A large number of vehicles were stranded in Dhading, Chitwan, Nuwakot, Kavre and Sindhupalchowk.

No violent incident was reported during the blockade.

Prez apology can end stir: Bhattarai

Kathmandu: Claiming that the parties are conspiring to dissolve Constituent Assembly and impose President’s rule, vice-chairman of UCPN-Maoist Dr Baburam Bhattarai said on Tuesday his party would not let anyone dissolve the CA.

“The CA was born with the sacrifice of thousands of people. We won’t let anyone dissolve it,” he said while addressing the inaugural session of the second unity conference of university co-mmittee of the ANNISU-R.

He said the ongoing movement was the continuation of People’s War and Janaandolan and this would continue unless civilian supremacy is ensured.

“We will show the world the strength of the people during the Singha Durbar gherao,” he added. “We will stop all the

ongoing movements if the President sought an apology for his unconstitutional move,” he said. — HNS