Maoist intercept import of Indian ‘weapons’

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 March: Chairman Prachanda Tuesday demanded an official explanation from Prime Minister and Defence Minister Girija Prasad Koirala for what Maoists charged was the import of arms and
ammunition from India Monday night through Butwal.
Another Maoist leader Debendra Paudel ‘Sunil” said materials were brought in 40 Indian trucks through Butwal.
Maoists threatened massive protests from Wednesday if convincing explanation wasn’t forthcoming.
Prachanda charged materials were brought in during elections to spoil atmosphere and disrupt the 10 April vote against spirit of an agreement.
Maoists obstructed movement of vehicles nation-wide for one hour in protest.
Government forcibly freed three Indian trucks from Maoists who has seized them; the trucks have moved to the capital from Butwal.
Nearly one dozen Maoists were injured police freed seized trucks.
Peace Minister Ram Chandra Paudel said no arms were imported but confirmed crowd control equipment had been imported from India.
But Maoists claimed SLRs, INSAN rifles and pistols had been imported from across the border.
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Communists reach electoral adjustment

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 March: In a communist attempt to sweep the 10 April constituency assembly elections, CPN (Maoist) and Janamorcha Nepal agreed Tuesday for electoral adjustment in 12 constituencies.
Prachanda and Janamorcha Chairman Amik Serchan reached an agreement.
Janamorcha will assist Prachanda in Kathmandu-5 and Rolpa; Maoists will help Serchan in Chitwan-5 under terms on an agreement.
CPN-Unity Center (Mashal ) and CPN (Maoist) also agreed to unite after elections.
Prachanda and Mashal Secretary General Prakash agreed Tuesday to help each other before elections.
Two parties agreed to form a coordination committee formed for unity.
But unity between the two biggest communist parties, CPN(Maoist) and

CPN-UML is still elusive with the two parties blaming each for failure to force unity.
Nevertheless, Prachanda and CPN-UML General Secretary held inconclusive discussions Tuesday.
Prachanda charged USA for preventing an alliance to spoil a Maoist victory in the vote.
Maoists Tuesday disrupted a meeting of CPN-UML in neighbouring Dhading candidate Rajendra Pandey despite an agreement one day earlier to observe an election code of conduct and desist from violence.
Maoists also disturbed a meeting in a Kathmandu constituency where CPN-UML woman candidate Astha Laxmi was campaigning.
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