Maoist strike cripples life

Kathmandu, 20 Dec.: A continuous three-day nation-wide Maoist strike crippling life shutting down schools, industries and businesses Sunday.
Activists vandalized vehicles that broke the strike in various parts of the country, as first reports of the strike poured in.
In the capital, Maoists stopped the movement of vehicles burning tires on the streets.
Vic-chairman Babauram Bhattarai rules out an immediate agreement with the government as the party said it will negotiate its demands even during the strike.
The third ranking Maoist leader said he strike aimed at galvanizing the people against possible presidential rule as a political crisis escalates.
‘The fourth phase of our movement will be directed against foreign pressure if our demands aren’t met during the third phase of the movement,” Chairman Prachanda said Saturday.
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India comes out publicly against Maoist mass integration in NA

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 Dec: India has for the first time come out publicly in support of the Nepal Army which has opposed the mass integration of Maoist combatants in Nepal Army.
Public support was expressed by Indian Army Chief Fen Deepak Kapoor during his Nepali counterpart Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung’s just concluded nine-day India visit.
India support for Nepal Army comes at a time when UN and several western countries are pushing the integration of Maoist combatants in the state army.
Perceptions of India, western countries and UN on Nepal Army now are clearly different; they were unified during the royal regime.
“They [Maoists[ want to politicize an impartial Nepal Army. Do you want to see your army being politicized? What do you want to do by integrating the rebel forces collectively into the national army? Why do they want to join the army but no other security force? The national army is purely entitled to safeguard the country. That’s what we do here and I think that’s the model,” the Indian chief told The Kathmandu Post in New Delhi.
‘However, Maoist combatants can join the army as any other Nepali citizens if they qualify and meet the parameters.
“Nepal army has always maintained that any eligible Nepali citizen can join the national force through a due procedure. This sounds pretty logical, If the Maoist fighters wish to join the Nepal Army they should follow the due recruitment procedure as other Nepali citizens aspiring to join the army do. Those meeting the norms and standards automatically qualify to join,” he said.
The firm Indian public support comes at a time when ruling parties have stopped their criticism of the party and replaced it even with praise —criticism peaked during the regime.
India is Nepal’s Army’s main weapons supplier.
Dr Baburam Bhattarai Sunday told Kantipur FM the ‘serious comment’ was interference in Nepal’s internal affairs.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Those who stayed in India for more than 10 years and educated in armed struggle haven’t sanitized politics.”

(Madan Mani Dixit, Rajdhani, 20 Dec.)

“Because such a capable person like you is prime minister, we’re confident you’ll be completely succeed in taking all political parties in Nepal and sides together for a meaningful political outlet.”

(PM Nepal quoting his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh who earlier lavishly praised Girija Prasad Koirala as well, Naya Patrika, 20 Dec.)
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