Maoist three-day strike begins

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 Dec: Maoists ignored government and party calls for withdraw of a strike during a critical time and went ahead Sunday with a continuous three-day nation-wide strike—part of their anti-government and anti-president protests.
Chairman Prachanda charged parties, naming Nepali Congress and UML, for ‘pretending’ talks they didn’t really want,
He also charged unnamed ‘rightists’ were, on foreign instructions, were heightening he crisis.
A Maoist party standing committee decided Saturday to go ahead with the strike while leaving open doors for talks.
UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and Home Minister Bhim Rawal Saturday personally requested Prachanda to withdraw the strike.
An emergency meeting Saturday asked security agencies to maintain law and order and ensure the movement of essential supplies.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal will have to defy the strike to return to his official residence from the airport Sunday as she returns from Denmark where he attended the UN climate change summit.
Sunday’s strike climaxes the third phase of their stretched protest.
Nnnn

Army chief returns

Kathmandu, 20 Dec: Army Chief Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung returned home Saturday following a India visit.
The tour marked the restoration of ties between the armies of the two countries snapped during the royal regime.
India accorded the chief a warn treatment; he was appointed honourary general of the Indian army.
Resumption of arms supplies suspended during the royal regime, were discussed.
Nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“How can an ambassador confirmed by us in a hearing not listen to us? This is not an issue of an ordinary citizen but a party leader’s. That’s why the embassy was opened.”

(Lawmaker Gayatri Shah asking boarding and lodging facilities from the London embassy and the foreign ministry for her parents, Nagarik, 20 Dec.)
nnnn