After Maoist assaults, British minister calls for judiciary free from interference

By Bhola B Rana .

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Kathmandu, 18 April: British Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans Kevin Jones said Saturday United Kingdom was ready ‘ to support’ in the integration of the PLA and Nepal Army, according to the British embassy press statement
“I have also understood the crucial importance of upholding the rule of law and the independence of State institutions during this period of transition, and above all the importance of safeguarding an independent judiciary, free from interference,” Jones said.
He said this as Maoists launched direct attacks against the supreme court and judges after a recent verdict reinstating eight brigadier generals whose services were terminated by the Maoist-led government.
“We encourage the Government of Nepal to take forward the peace process, including the drafting of a new constitution that secures peace, stability and democracy,” he said. .
“ British Army and the UK continue to benefit from the outstanding contribution still being made by the Brigade of Gurkhas including their service on international peace-keeping operations.
“ I very much hope that the UK will be able to recruit Gurkhas into the British Army into the future,” Jones said.
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Rashtriya Janamorcha protests federal structure

Kathmandu, 18 April: Rashtriya Janamoircha is holding a protest demonstration Saturday inthe capital against a federal stat structure.
The communist party said it will submit a memorandum to President Dr Ram Baran Yadav Sunday against the proposed structure.
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Indian Maoists kill 18 persons on polling day [Excerpts]

New Delhi, 16 April: Naxalites struck in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa killing 18 people, including five poll officials and ten security personnel, as moderate to brisk voting was reported across 17 states and two union territories on the first day of Lok Sabha elections, Times of India reports.
Shortly after voting began on Thursday, Naxals blew up a landmine targeting a bus ferrying BSF personnel in Latehar district in Jharkhand, in which five personnel and two civilians were killed.
Naxals also blew up a vehicle carrying poll officials in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district killing five and injuring two, police said.
Poilling booths were set on fire and here as exchange of fire between Maoists and CRPF in Dantewada and Narainpur areas in the state. Two CRPF jawans were killed while five were injured in Dantwewada.
Maoists also set fire to at least three pooling booths, electronic voting machines and other materials in Orissa’s Malkangiri on Thursday, disrupting voting.
In Bihar, a homeguard and a police official on election duty were shot dead and another injured by Naxals in Singhpur village in Gaya district, police said. Two police personnel were reported missing.
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