Prachanda threatens capture of govt. through popular revolt

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 13 Jan: Chairman of Unified CPN-Maoist Prachanda Tuesday threatened the capture of government through popular revolt the day after the ‘suicidal’ toppling of the incumbent Maoist-government led by him.
“Nepal’s future will be dark and nobody can stop the consequences,” he warned
The prime minister issued the direct threat while announcing the merger of the revolutionary CPN (Maoist) and CPN (Unity Center/ Mashal) at a public meeting in the capital.
He charged unnamed foreign and national ‘conspirators’ and ‘followers of former rajas and maharahas [kings and princes]’ for conspiring against the five-month government; the conspirators, he warned, ‘are digging their own graves’.
He issued veiled threats to ruling coalition partners CPN-UML, MJF and main opposition Nepali Congress.
Toppling the government will be a ‘suicidal move”, Prachanda warned and added the incumbent government came to power through a revolution and is not like past governments.
“Nobody can stop a devastation” if the government falls, he told thousands of cheering listeners.
Prachanda and other speakers called for unity between leftists and communists for a new people’s republic.
Prachanda’s ire comes after NC President Girija Prasad Koirala’s fresh prediction the government will fall ‘like a ripe mango’.
To prevent such a collapse, Koirala asked Prachanda to ‘create an environment of confidence fully implement past agreements’.
Koirala said he has no idea of a Maoist concept for a ‘new Nepal’.
“I for one want a developed Nepal. First bring and stability.”
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Three terai groups merge

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 13 Jan: Three terai groups that have rejected talks with government Tuesday announced a merger from an undisclosed place.
Goit and Jwala Singh groups of Terai Janatantrik Movement and Paswan group have merged calling the new group Terai Janatantrik Party.
It will be led by Jai Krishsna Goit; the Jwala Singh group is the most violent in the south where a separatist rebellion is being waged.
The formation of the group will intensify the war in the south bordering India; many of the two dozen groups operate from across the border.
Government has held separate talks with four groups to address regional demands.
Maoist central leader Matrika Prasad Yadav he is lauanching another terai-based party accusing Maoists for abandoning the cause of the terai.
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Madhav Kumar Nepal elected chairman of constitution drafting committee; other details

Kathmandu, 13 Jan: Madhav Kumar Nepal, former general secretary of CPN-UML, was elected chairman of the important constitutional committee to draft a constitution in another 15 months.
Nepal was elected by a majority voice vote in the CA Tuesday.
Nepal admitted the job of drafting a ‘progressive’ constitution was ‘challenging’ and appealed for cooperation.
He also called for ‘unity, cooperation and understanding’ to complete what he called ‘big challenges’.
Pramod Prasad Gupta (MJF) defeated his rival Janak Kumari Chalaise (CPN-ML) to be elected chairperson of the CA’s public opinion collection and coordination committee.
Yashoda Gurung (Maoist) defeated Sarita Giri (NSP-Debi) in election for parliament’s legislative committee.
CA PROCEEDINGS OBSTRUCTED
Terai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) obstructed the CA session immediately after the committee elections demanding exact definition of ‘big and small parties’ in the assembly.
There is reference to ‘big’ parties being represented in a special committee for army integration in which only Maoists, CPN-UML, MJF and Nepali Congress are represented.
TMLP is the fifth largest party in the CA; the party warned future proceedings will also be obstructed without a definition of big and small parties.
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Slain woman journalist cremated

Kathmandu, 13 Jan: Slain woman journalist Uma Singh was cremated in Dhanusha Tuesday two days after she was murdered by a group in Janakpur.
Students and other groups forced the closure of businesses, industries and schools to protest the murder.
The CA session Tuesday was also obstructed amid demands for security of journalists and punishment of culprits.
Singh is the first woman journalist to be killed in recent years in Nepal.
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Supreme court returns Charles Shobraj case to Patan appellate court

Kathmandu, 13 Jan: A two-man bench of the supreme court Tuesday returned for a complete hearing by Patan appellate a conviction for murder of American tourist Connie Zo Bronzich in 1975 by serial French serial killer Charles Shobraj court a murder .
The apex court asked the lower court to also decide a charge Shobraj used a forged passport to enter Nepal.
The appellate court decision was incomplete, the apex court said.
It only decided on the murder charge against Shobraj, the court decision said.
Supreme court bench said it will reconsider an integrated decision while returning the case to the lower court.
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Fire destroys grains worth nearly Rs 20 million

Kathmandu, 13 Jan: A devastating fire Tuesday morning destroyed 20,000 quintals of paddy and property worth Rs 20 million in Kailali.
Firefighters took more than six hours to control the inferno.
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MJF central committee meets

Kathmandu, 13 Jan: A central committee meeting of Madesh Janaadhikar Forum (MJF) was held in the capital Tuesday amid looming threat of a split.
Dissidents continued demand for a recall of four ministers from government, including Chairman and Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav.
Dissidents accused Minister BIjaya Gachedhar is abandoning the cause of One Madesh, One Pradesh.
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Achut Raj Pandey appointed to CA

Kathmandu, 13 Jan: Achut Raj Pandey has been nominated by main opposition Nepali Congress to the CA.
He replaces Bishwanath Upadhaya who refused the nomination.
Congress nominated Upadhaya to head a constitutional committee to draft the constitution. Madhav Kumar Nepal Tuesday was elected to head the committee Tuesday.
Upadhaya was chairman of a committee that drafted the 1990 constitution shred by present rulers.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“How can I be satisfied with government’s when ministers themselves aren’t? There’s chaos everywhere.”

(Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party Chief Narayanman Bijukakchaya, 13 Jan.)
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