PM Prachanda cancels China visit; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 April: Prime Minister Prachanda has cancelled a scheduled visit to China that was to begin 2 May after a political crisis at home on Maoist determination to sack Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
Nepal and China are discussing updating a peace and friendship treaty.
Chinese ambassador was summoned to Baluwatar Saturday and informed on the cancellation.
The China visit was cancelled amid reports of a possible military coup.
Maoist secretariat meeting Saturday backed a government decision to sack the army chief.
“Our conclusion is the party shouldn’t back out on action.,” party spokesman Dinanath Sharma said after the meeting and added the party will continue to seek support of other political parties.
“We’re ready to leave government for the supremacy of civilian rule,” Sharma added.
But Main opposition Nepali Congress that said it will come out on the streets to abort the Maoist plan and sought CPN-UML support to stop planned Maoist plans to sack the army chief.
But Sujata, daughter of party President Girija Prasad Koirala Thursday walked out of a party meeting charging the party was backing the army against the people by supporting Gen Katawal.
Even three days after Chairman Jhalanath Khanal cancelled his China visit to discuss the political crisis at home, there was no agreement within the CPN-UML standing committee Saturday to sack Gen Katawal.
The main coalition partner of the Maoists is split on the issue between a group led by Chairman Khanal pushing for a dismissal and another group led by KP Sharma Oli who is behind Gen Katawal.
nnnn

Five firefighters killed in Gulmi

Kathmandu, 26 April: Five firefighters, including three women, were killed in a jungle fire in Gulmi Saturday.
Fire in Bara also killed a woman at a village in Bara where two others were injured.
A fire killed one person in Dang as well.
Thirteen soldiers were killed last week while trying to extinguish a fire in Ramechap.
Nnnn

Foreign Minister Yadav leaves for Havana

Kathmandu, 26 April: Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav flew for Havana Saturday to attend a conference of non-aligned countries from 29 to 30 April.
Before returning home, he will also attend a climate conference in Norway.
Yadav will also visit Brazil, Canada and France for bilateral talks with counterparts.
Nnnn

Security guard abducted in Parsa

Kathmandu, 26 April: A security guard was abducted Saturday in Parsa as violence continues in the terai.
Uam Bahadur Phuyal, a guard at Nabin Polymar Industries, was abducted.
Nnnn


Strike continues for fifth day

Kathmandu, 26 April: A crippling strike by Tharus demanding de-listing from Madeshi group continued for the fifth consecutive day Sunday.
The strike has created shortages in the capital and other parts of the country.
Administrators of five districts declared curfews along highways to facilitate the movement of vehicles.
Nnnn

Nepal in semi-finals of U-19 Elite Cup cricket tournament

Kathmandu, 26 April: Nepal entered the final of the U-19 ACC Elite Cup cricket tournament in Kuwait where it beat Sinagpore by three wickets Saturday.
Nepal chased a target of 172 runs which it reached in 45 overs.
Nepal beat Saudi Arabia and Malaysia in two previous matches.
Nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“There’s a possibility [ military coup]. There are problems everywhere. From a personal point of view, the situation hasn’t improved.”


(Retired Maj Gen Pradip Pratap Bam Malla, Kantipur, 26 April)
nnnn