Second govt. official shot dead in Dhanusha in four days

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Dec: A second government official of hill descent was shot dead by rebel groups overnight in Dhanusha in four days.
Non-commissioned officer Mangal Maharjan, deputed to guard the private residence of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at Sapaahi was shot dead Thursday night at Mahabir Chowk in the holy city.
Maharjan died on the spot when he was attacked during load-shedding.
Assassins fled the murderous attack.
Rajan Group of Terai People’s Mukti Morcha claimed responsibility saying the group has abandoned talks with government.
Kumar Niraula of the finance ministry was shot dead Monday.
The town has been terrorized by the killings as daily violence continues unabated in the south.
Official talks between government and rebel groups haven’t got underway
In nearly three months to resolve regional demands.
Government reacted to the escalating violence this week by asking organizations and individuals to handover unlicensed arms and ammunition within 15 days or face punitive action.
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Nepal still faces threats from foreigners, royalists: Prachanda

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Dec: Prime Minister Prachanda told a select group of reporters Thursday Nepal
still faces threats from foreigners and royalists, according to reports complied from Friday’s broadsheet publications.
“There are attempts to revive monarchy.
“There’s even talk of launching a 100,000-strong military force,” Kantipur reported Prachanda as saying .
Prachanda confirmed during this week’s meeting with the Indian ambassador, Rakesh Sood held discussions recently with former King Gyanendra who discussed the likelihood of an India visit to meet relatives.
“The former king reportedly said his former supporters all have become Maoists,” according to Kantipur.
“Just the other day, Surya Bahadurji talked of a democratic alliance. Has this come from him alone or elsewhere? In Nepal’s politics, political parties here aren’t the only players; there are foreigners as well.
“Its appears superficially Nepal’s political parties are fighting; but inside the entire world is squabbling,” the prime minister said.
“There are players who want a positive outcome and there are those who see Nepal as their fiefdom,” Prachanda reportedly told reporters, according to The Kathmandu Post.
Prachanda warned an attempt to topple the government will have disastrous consequences.
“There no situation for an alternative government by toppling the present regime. A big thing will happen in the country by attempting to topple present government,” Premier Dahal warned.
“The peace process will be derailed; the constitution can’t be drafted.”
Prachanda said: “Sometimes there’s a feeling it was more pleasant during the people’s war,” admitting government hasn’t succeeding in delivering desired results.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal admitted the failure to resolve an internal party dispute between his faction and a group led by Mohan Baidya Kiran would have had disastrous consequences.
The nation could have collapsed if the differences weren’t resolved. It would have been dangerous for a party that emerged from a violent people’s war to be engulfed in a crisis,” he said, according to Kantipur.
“The situation was very difficult. We overcame it.”
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CPN (Maoist), CPN-UML discuss formation of integration committee

Kathmandu, 19 Dec: For the second time in two days, CPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML Friday morning discussed formation of the stalled Army Special Integration Committee for a breakthrough.
Integration of Nepal Army and PLA hasn’t begun with the main opposition Nepali Congress
demanding two seats for itself in the committee.
CPN-UML Thursday proposed two seats for each for the four top parties, including the Nepali Congress which has been allotted only one seat.
Only two months remain for the committee to complete its work.
Government has already decided to extend the mandate of UNMIN from 23 January 2009 for another six months to complete integration.
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