Prachanda returns from Godavari Village Resort

Kathmandu, 7 June: Unified CPN (Maoist) Chairman Prachanda returned home Saturday after spending three days at the Godavari Village Resort.
Prachanda is preparing a new party strategy after being ousted from government which he led for nine months and disagreement of party leaders with his 13-point political report at a recent politburo meeting, Annapurna Post reported quoting unidentified party sources.
He also reviewed the 12-point New Delhi agreement, the peace process, the interim constitution, the fall of his government and foreign play
Another unidentified Maoist leader said Prachanda spent his leisure at the resort after developing high blood pressure.
“Prachanda suddenly becomes emotional while delivering a speech. This is a result of high blood pressure,” he said.
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Bhabani Prasad Kharel elected chairman of AI Nepal

Kathmandu, 7 June: Agni Prasad Kharel was Saturday elected chairman of Amnesty International (AI) Nepal chapter by the 25th general meeting for a two-year term.
Binod Bhattarai, Raj Kumar Gurung, Rana Bahadur Theme and Hari Chandra Bhattarai were elected deputy coordinator, secretary, treasurer and joint secretary respectively.
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Maoists shut down 10 districts

Kathmandu, 7 June: Maoists shut down 10 districts of Tamang Shaling hill districts Sunday demanding correction what they called unconstitutional act of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav retaining sacked Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
Ten vehicles proceeding to the capital were destroyed in violent attacks at Banepa in the early morning.
Maoists shut down three eastern terai districts Saturday.
They have been on anti-president protests in parliament and on the street since their ouster from government.
Maoists have vowed to continue protests until presidential decision is rectified.
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CPN-UML standing committee meets, other details

By Bhola B Rana


Kathmandu, 7 June: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Goirija Prasad Koirala held discussions Sunday morning on sharing of ministerial berths and ministries.
CPN-UML standing committee is meeting later Sunday today to discuss party team in government.
Two weeks after the appointment of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal only Bidya Bhandari and Surendra Pandey have been appointed ministers of defence and finance respectively.
Acting Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala and Vice-chairman Ram Chandra Paudel Saturday boycotted a meeting called by President Girija Prasad Koirala to discuss sharing of ministerial berths and ministries with CPN-UML.
But Sher Bahadur Deuba, Bimalendra Nidhi and Krishna Prasad Shitaula were present.
Differences have surfaced in the party after Koirala
appointed his daughter Sujata leader of the party team as foreign minister.
Congress and CPN-UML differed on running ‘important’ ministries
The Upendra Yadav faction of MJF is holding torch processions in the terai Saturday against Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar and his for joining the Nepal government without a decision of the central committee.
Forum burnt effigies of Nepal and Gachedhar in capital Saturday accusing the Congress and CPN-UML for dividing terai’s biggest political party.
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Action recommended against Lt Gen Kul Bahadur Khadka

Kathmandu, 7 June: Senior officers have recommended action against Lt Gen Kul Bahadur Khadka, appointed acting army chief by the previous government, for breaking a chain of command, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
The joint written recommendation was made by principal staff officers and division commanders to Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal by 55 of 56 officers.
The government of Madhav Kumar Nepal hasn’t taken any decision on Lt Gen Khadka so far although Gen Katawal’s term was extended.
The plan [to take control of army headquarters on 3 May] was meticulously authored in Kavre’s Lapsiphedhi on 1st May by Prachanda and six Maoist commanders who spend nearly seven hours to give it a final shape, newsfront reports.
Gen Katawal was given marching orders accordingly on 3d May followed by appointment of Lt Gen Khadka as Acting Chief.
Khadka swung into action as directed and asked his subordinates to ‘sanitize’ the headquarter that meant clearing off all hostile or defiant elements.
It also meant disarming, capturing and even killing them.
According to information available from highly placed sources, the Maoist combatants-People’s Liberation Army (PLA) , were to come to Khadka’s support or rescue if Gen Katawal refused to honour the PM’s order by midnight [12 mid-night May 3/4.]
“It was because of this compelling situation that president Yadav intervened and ordered Gen Katawal to continue as the Chief of Army Staff,” an aide of the President said.
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Newsfront hits newsstands

Kathmandu, 7 June: Weekly newspaper newsfront
hit the newsstand Sunday after a short disruption.
The newspaper is edited by Yubaraj Ghimire and published by Utsarga Prakashan Pvt Ltd.
The newspaper will be published every Monday, management announced.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Kathmandu, 7 June: Less then one week after the liquidation of Nepal development Bank, Nepal Rashtra Bank has is declaring a financial crisis in another financial institution, Rajdhani reports.
The bank is preparing to declare Nepal Sri Lanka Merchant Banking and Finance is in financial crisis.
The central bank has already put the company on its emergency list.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“The party would soon face hard times. The leaders [Girija Prasad Koirala and Sher Bahadur Deuba] continue to steer the party like their family. We need to bring about changes in the ways we steer the party.”

(Congress leader Gagan Thapa, The Himalayan Times, 7 June)

‘There’s no place called Madesh. Such demands are only aimed at disintegrating the country.”

(Chure Bhawar National Unity Party Chairman Keshav Prasad Mainali, The Himalayan Times, 7 June)

“.. he [Chairman of National Human Rights Kedar Prasad Upadhaya] said cadres mobilized by main political parties are continuing murder, violence, and abductions, deteriorating the human rights condition.”

((RSS report in The Rising Nepal, 7 June)
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