Parliament asks for security to collect public opinion on constitution

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 11 Feb: Speaker Subash Nemwang Wednesday sought security from Prime Minister Prachanda and ministers to collect public opinion on drafting a constitution from 27 February.
Nemwang called for security as the country faces secessionist calls in the south bordering India; terai rebels operate from across the border as Maoists did during the 19-year people’s war that ended in April 2006.
Maoist dissidents armed with US M16 rifles supplied to Royal Nepal Army and other sophisticated weapons have started attacking and killing police posts and seizing weapons.
Nemwang called for security as it will be difficult to collect public opinion on a new constitution which many doubt will be drafted before the May 2100 deadline.
Chairman of the drafting committee Madhav Kumar Nepal said he is not clear on his role; Nepal was defeated in constituent assembly elections in April 2008 from two constituencies amid claims people are drafting the proposed republican constitution.
Nepal helped draft the 1990 constitution shredded by parliament restored by then King Gyanendra by a ‘political’ or a constitutional decision through national and international pressures
The call for security comes amid admission by a senior official of committees drafting the new constitution people have responded to requests for suggestions by asking for employment, uninterrupted electricity and water supply.
People don’t know what a constitution is or they just don’t care.
Security was demanded as the terai demands One Madesh, One Pradesh—a call rejected by Maoists, main Nepali Congress and CPN-UML—the three biggest parties in parliament.
Parliament is planning to send teams to 40 districts to collect opinions on a constitution.
Meanwhile, RPP Nepal, supporting monarchy, demanded a referendum Wednesday to decide on a new constitution.
If the constitution is ever drafted, Nepal will have three constitutions in four years—probably a world record.
The 1990 constitution as described by drafters and present rulers as one of the best in the world.
The constitution wasn’t drafted by King Birendra who only promulgated it after it was presented to him.
If a constitution is now drafted, it will be a document imposed on people by a coterie of elite party workers without consultation with the people.
There will no popular debate on the basic document for the country even amid claims that people will be drafting it.
Nepal on average has been having one constitution every 15 years amid a culture to shred constitutions through foreign interference and riots.
Maoists are also trying to impose a communist constitution rejecting the role of an opposition and parliamentary democracy.
A clear divide is emerging between extreme communism and what opposition calls a ‘democratic front’.
Signals are ominous for Nepal.
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PM Prachanda, army chief hold security discussions

Kathmandu, 11 Feb: PM Prachanda and Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal held security discussions Wednesday.
Details weren’t revealed.
The meeting took place immediately after the prime minister and Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal charged foreign and national reactionaries were encircling Maoists to finish and kill them.
Army defied a government order to stop 2,800 recruitments to fill in vacancies.
Badal told a parliamentary committee Wednesday relations had chilled between government and the state army.
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Ramesh Chand Thakuri appointed IGP

Kathmandu, 11 Feb: AIG Ramesh Chand Thakuri has been promoted to IGP.
Thakuri succeeds Hem Bahadur Gurung who is retiring.
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