CPN (Maoist), CPN-UML form special committees

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 2 Nov: CPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML Sunday formed a special joint mechanism to improve inter-party ties and coordinate activities of the two biggest constituents in the ruling coalition.
The committees will ‘reinforce and improve ties.”
Terms of reference and work procedures are being worked out.
The mechanism does not include other parties, including the MJF, the third biggest group in the coalition government.
Mohan Baidya Kiran is coordinator on behalf of Maoists and includes Dr BaburamBhatarai; Baidya is chief of the party organization as well.
Former General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal heads the CPN-UML faction; the 12-member committee includes six top leaders from each party.
KP Sharma Oli is member of the committee from the CPN-UML.
The committee will give suggestions including recommending names for top government appointments.
Differences have surfaced frequently on government functioning—differences have cropped up on policy matters.
CPN-UML and MJF oppose mass integration of PLA in Nepal Army suggested by proposed CPN (Maoist)
A separate body has been formed to review differences between the two parties.
The committee which met for the first time Sunday decided to send two committees to Dhading and Taplejung to investigate clashes between YCL and Youth Force and report within seven days,
Maoists and CPN –UML said participation of main opposition Nepali Congress in the committee is also essential.
Congress has charged Maoists for breaking a consensus and said it won’t join government despite requests.
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Dilli Raj Upraety dead

Kathmandu, 2 Nov: Dilli Raj Upraety died Saturday of a heart attack.
He was former Royal Nepalese Ambassador to France.
He started his government career as professor of chemistry at Tri Chandra College; he played an important role in promotion of tourism as a director of the Department of Tourism.
He worked for some time at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
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Girija continues campaign against PLA integration after Ban departure

Kathmandu, 2 Nov: Main opposition leader and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala Sunday continued his campaign against integration of Maoist PLA in Nepal Army (NA) encouraged by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Koirala continued the public campaign against Maoist integration in Lalitpur less then 24 hours after Ban concluded a Nepal visit when the UN chief encouraged integration to complete a peace process initiated by Koirala in 2005.
Koirala said Nepali Congress won’t join a government special integration until Maoists pursue a cooperative attitude for consensus politics.
Koirala gave details of the dressing down he gave Ban on what he called partial attitude of UNMIN towards Maoists.
Koirala complained against Maoists and UNMIN functioning with the visitor Saturday.
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Congress student leader killed

Kathmandu, 2 Nov: Tanka Bikram Nemwang, central vice-president of Nepal Students’ Union, a student of wing of Nepali Congress, was killed in a tractor accident at Panchthar Sunday during a party awareness campaign.
Central leader Bhismaraj Angdembe was among six injured in the accident.
The tractor fell 30meters off a hill road in the east Nepal district.
The main opposition party launched the campaign last month from Biratnagar amid charges democracy is sunder threat with Maoists in state power.
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Three dozen injured

Kathmandu, 2 Nov: Three dozen persons including angry casino workers in the capital, were injured in clashes with police Sunday during a Valley strike and several vehicles were damaged.
The casino workers called the sudden strike to protest the arrest of a casino manager for illegally allowing Nepalis to gamble.
At least one dozen casino workers were arrested.
Police earlier raided a casino amid charges of excesses.
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Abandoned Bara bomb blast injures three

Kathmandu, 2 Nov: Three members of a family were injured in an abandoned bomb blast Sunday at Sishaniya VDC in Bara.
The injured were members of Brikshya Raaut Kurmi’s family.
Children and wife of Kurmi were injured.
Violence continues in the south.
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