Concealed bomb targeting Prachanda defused

Kathmandu, 6 Sept: A concealed targeting Chairman Prachanda scheduled to address an anti-government rally in Biratnagar was defused Sunday.
The bomb was concealed in an archon erected along a road to welcome the top Maoist leader.
Ranabir Sena set off a bomb in the town overnight.

Nepal Defence Army chief arrested

Kathmandu, 6 Sept:Gopal Mainali, chief of Nepal Defence Army, was arrested overnight in Jhapa.
The organization is suspected for bombing churches and mosques.
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Maoists issue conciliatory statement after Indian concern

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 6 Sept: Following official Indian concerns and protest, Maoists Saturday said ‘its serious attention’ had been drawn to reports of Maoist link to attacks on newly Indian bhattas at Pashupatinath temple.
The party said it isn’t UCPN (Maoist) policy to disturb religious goodwill and interfere in religious matters.
“Our party believes in people’s religious freedom and respects independent right of people’s groups to protest or support on any issue. The party clarifies it isn’t party policy to disturb religious goodwill and interfere,” a
a statement issued by party international department chief Krishna Bahadur Mahara said.
The statement was issued even as Maoists threatened to indefinitely continue protests until Indian priests are dislodged from Nepal’s holiest shrine and replaced by Nepalis.
Maoists made a failed attempt to install Nepali priests during their nine-month rule.
The issue at Pashupatinath is not the appointment of Indian priests but the mismanagement of donations there by them amid demands for transparency in management.
Newly installed priests were dragged out of their retreat before appointment ,battered and their sacred threads shred.
Expressing concern, India called the attack on bhattas criminal calling the incident unfortunate while monitoring developments.
‘The attack on the newly appointed Indian priests, Girish Bhatt and Raghavendra Bhatt at the revered and sacred Pashupatinath temple on September 4 has caused deep anguish and serious concern in India.
“The matter was immediately taken up through our embassy in Kathmandu at the highest levels in Government of Nepal and our concern conveyed.
“We strongly believe that the unprovoked and criminal act of violence goes against the grain of civilisational ties of friendship that has existed since time immemorial between the peoples of Nepal and India.
‘The safety and security of Indian citizens abroad is an abiding and core concern of the Government of India and we continue to closely monitor the situation surrounding yesterday’s unfortunate incident in Kathmandu,” a statement issued by the Indian Foreign Ministry said Saturday in a statement.
Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna Saturday also protested the attack in Bangalore.
“The Nepali authorities have assured us that they are taking additional steps to ensure the safety and security of priests in Nepal,” the minister said in a statement.
Two bhattas began worship at the temple complex Saturday amid tight security in the presence of Culture Minister Dr Manindra Rijal and Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood who one day earlier held telephonic conversation with the Maoist chief.
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China to help militarily if Nepal threatened

Kathmandu, 6 Sept:: Chinese Ambassador Sui Guohong Saturday pledged military, economic and diplomatic assistance to Nepal if it is threatened, Naya Patrika reports.
The assurance was given to officials of China Study Center.
“China is with the people of Nepal of there’s foreign intervention in Nepal. If Nepal’s independence, sovereignty regional integrity are threatened, besides military help, China expresses economic and diplomatic support,” the ambassador said, according to the statement of the Center.
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