No agreement on sacking of army chief

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 April: Main opposition Nepali Congress Tuesday stood firmly behind beleaguered Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal opposing Maoist determination to sack him for defying civilian authority.
Party central committee decided to come out on the street to support Katawal as YCL held demonstrations in the capital to support Maoist determination to sack Katawal.
Maoists, CPN-UML and Congress are to meet Wednesday to discuss the issue.
Nepali Congress central committee concluded Maoist determination to sack Katawal was an attempt to abort democracy and a strategy to snatch power.
Prime Minister Prachanda held inconclusive discussions with Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala.
CPN-UMl proposed Chatra B Gurung should be appointed army chief by sacking Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal and Katawal.
For the first time, the sacking of an army chief has taken serious political dimensions with reports of a military coup.
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Strike continues in terai

Kathmandu, 28 April: Continuing strike in the terai has created shortages in various parts of the country.
Curfew was slapped in many districts to facilitate the movement of vehicles.
Twelve persons were injured in clashes Kapilbasthu.
Tharu leader Laxman Tharu was arrested in the capital Tuesday.


New schedule to write constitution

Kathmandu, 28 April; A draft of a proposed constitution should be ready now by 15 July for discussion in the CA according to a new schedule.
The draft should have been readied last week.
Only 12 months remains before the new constitution has to be drafted..
Eleven subject committees haven’t even submitted their proposals for a draft.
The committees haven’t analyzed suggestion s of 400,000 people collected during tours of districts.
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Two infants killed in Dhading fire

Kathmandu 28 April: Two infants were killed in a fire in Dhading as a dry spell continues.
Forty-two houses were destroyed in Saptari causing damage of 10 million rupees.
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