Only integrated Maoist combatants can be inducted as UN peacekeepers: Ban

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 1 Nov: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Saturday only Maoist combatants recommended by the government can be in inducted in UN peacekeeping operations.
He told reporters they are ‘welcome if they are recommended by Nepal government’ and added ‘they should be part of Nepal national army’.
Ban said integration of Nepal Army and Maoist PLA has to ‘be decided and carried out by Nepal government’ and UN can only help with its experience and asked to take the peace process to its local conclusion...
He urged government to ‘seek the help of Nepali Congress’ in integration.
Addressing the CA, Ban said it’s for Nepalis and Nepal government to implement the peace process.
He asked political parties to work for the future of the Maoist army and constitution draft.
He said he Maoist combatants should be integrated, resettled and child soldiers sent off soonest.
Ban said Nepal government wants the extension of the UNMIN and personally felt its work in Nepal should continue; a decision, he said, has to be taken by the security council to which he will report following his return from Nepal.
Main opposition leader and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, at a meeting with Ban, charged Maoists broke a consensus while appointing a special committee integration and the result won’t be good.
Koirala expressed dissatisfaction with Ban over the functioning of UNMIN.
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Casino workers call Valley strike

Kathmandu, 1 Nov: Opposing what they called police excesses, casino workers have called a Valley strike Sunday.
Workers have been protesting a recent raid on a casino in the capital.
Police said they were attempting to flush out illegal Nepali gamblers.
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Prices of POL products again adjusted

Kathmandu, 1 Nov: Prices of POL products were adjusted for the second time in one month reducing petrol price by Rs 5 per liter Saturday.
Petrol is now selling at Rs 90.50 per liter; prices of aviation fuel and diesel were also adjusted but kerosene and LPG cylinder prices were constant.
State monopoly is now in a profit after the gained Rs 10 to the greenback since January 2008.
POL prices have been falling in the international market; government has adopted a policy to adjust prices accordingly.
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India police rape Nepali women

Kathmandu, 1 Nov: Policemen in Uttar Pradesh (UP) state of India gang raped two of the six Nepali women taken into custody from Gorakhpur railway station while they were on their way to a Gulf country via India for employment, The Kathmandu Post reports from New Delhi.
Five UP policemen took the women, who had reached Gorakhpur via Sunauli border together with two Nepali youths, to Mallika Hotel situated near the station for ‘interrogation’ and later raped them.
Inspector General of Police in Gorakhpur area Harish Chandra Kashyap said the two guilty policemen have been suspended and action has been initiated against them.
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