Damning picture of Maoist minister Matrika Prasad Yadav

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 16 Sept: A damning picture of Maoist Land Reforms Minister Martika Prasad Yadav leading a group of Maoists armed with automatic weapons recovering seized assets freed by police in Siraha was published in the Kantipur Tuesday.
The picture proves armed Maoists are outside UNMIN administered camps even after joining government.
There was no immediate comment from the UN in Nepal on a minister leading land grab movement even as the world body completed a mission to disarm the former rebels.
Police freed the assets seized by Maoists who again seized the land recovered by police..
MJF, a coalition partner of the Maoists, has been demanding the release of the seized assets through a continuous transport strike in Siraha.
Controversial minister earlier locked up an official in a toilet at his ministry.
Yadav threatened to quit the party and government if Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, currently on a India visit, returned the seized assets.
Prachanda continues his India for the third day Tuesday.
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USA concerned with Prachanda statement

Kathmandu, 16 Sept: US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell has expressed concern with Sunday’s statement of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda who said he had no faith in the parliamentary system in an address to the CA, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
The concern was expressed at a meeting with former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Monday.

[Note: USA helped in establishing a republican system but never wanted Maoists to take over administration in Nepal. Washington now has little option as Maoists dominate the CA and the Congress, which USA supports, has little options to topple the Maoist-led government. Powell didn’t see off Prachanda when he flew to New Delhi in the weekend. ]
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Judicial probe ordered

Kathmandu, 16Sept: Government has ordered a judicial probe into the death of Congress activist Pradip Khadka in police custody.
Retired supreme court justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari heads a three-member
Team which is to report to government in 15 days.
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CPN-ML opts to join govt.

Kathmandu, 16 Sept: CPN-ML which stayed out of government demanding an ‘attractive’ ministry has decided to join the Prachanda government.
The party central committee nominated Dambar Shrestha and Man Bahadur Shahi to join the government as minister and minister of state .
The CPN –ML will probably be allotted the ministry of women children and social welfare.
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PM Prachanda holds discussions with Indian communists

Kathmandu, 16 Sept: Visiting Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda held discussions with Indian communist leaders Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechiri in New Delhi Tuesday, Radio Nepal said.
Prachanda also held discussions with former Bihar chief minister and federal railway minister Lalu Yadav.
Kosi flood figured in the discussions.
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