PM Prachanda attending PLA anniversary against president’s advice; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 12 Feb: Against the advice of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Prachanda Thursday is launching a function at a Maoist PLA 4th division in Hattikhor, Nawalparasi, to observe the anniversaries of the founding of the Maoist army and he launch of a ‘people’s war’ against the state.
Maoists joined the political mainstream in April 2006 and put fighters in 28 cantonments and satellite under UN observation.
Dr Yadav rejected an invitation to attend the function.
The president had advised ministers in the Maoist-led government not to attend the function.
The people’s war was launched exactly 13 years ago.
Maoists have invited foreign diplomats and even Nepal Army against which it fought.
The army rejected a Maoist-led government directive to stop recruitment to fill in 2,800 vacancies.
“The army should not give orders to the defence ministry, but it should instead follow the government orders,” Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal told a parliamentary committee Wednesday.
In an anniversary message, Prachanda Thursday Maoists are working for
permanent peace, development of people’s constitution and establishment of a nationalist, democratic republic.
Observers are keenly watching who will attend the Maoist week-long function.
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Girija tolls Richard Boucher democracy in danger in Nepal

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 12 Feb: President of main opposition Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala told visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher Thursday democracy is in danger in Nepal.
He said this to reporters after discussions with the former prime minister who has been succeeded by Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda after winning the 10 April constituent assembly election on 10 April 2008.
Boucher told Koirala US will assist to strengthen democracy, according to Sujata Koirala, daughter of Girija.
Before leaving for India, he held discussions of annual $70 million US assistance and pledged to continue it; trade issues were also discussed.
Boucher visited Nepal Army headquarters for discussions with Nepal Army Chief of Staff Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
He also paid a courtesy call on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
Boucher is the first top official of the Obama administration to visit Nepal.
President Bush lost Nepal to Maoists in the second administration even as
he urged then government to ‘search, find and kill’ Maoists in the first term.
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Mongol revenge Group behind murderous attack on police outpost

Kathmandu, 12 Feb: Mongol Revenge Group was behind an attack of a police outpost killing one soldier and inuring another while seven weapons were seized, according to Home Secretary Home Secretary Govinda Kusum.
The dissident Maoists attacked the post with automatic weapons including M16 rifles supplied to Royal Nepal Army by USA.
Two persons have been nabbed.
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