Maoists issue mid-Dec. ultimatum; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 12 Dec: Chairman Prachanda Friday issued a 19 December deadline for government to meet Maoist demands to end a six-month political deadlock and fulfill demand to compensate victims of the forcible eviction of thousands of forest squatters in Kailali.
The Maoist chief issued the threat to launch bloody and violent revolt while meetings victims of the forcible eviction at Dudhejhari in the far-West; six persons were killed in the eviction.
Maoists have adopted a belligerent, still and uncompromising anti-government and anti-president posture as the work to draft a constitution is sidelined.
It appears, another deadline for 11 subject committees of the constituent assembly (CA) to submit their recommendations by Tuesday will be missed again.
Three committees have yet to submit their recommendations.
‘The fight will gain new height if government thinks landless can be killed and suppressed. One million, not 10,000 will gain martyrdom,” Prachanda threatened. “Nobody should lag behind to defeat criminals even by swimming in blood. Our side is strong.”
He added: “Don’t make the mistake of trying to dominate us at the instance of foreigners. You will meet a fate worse that Gyanendra.This is not a threat.”
Prachanda revealed he as prime minister got a whiff ‘international mafia’ worked to divide parties.
“I’ll come out one day’ I’ve not vomited now.”
Maoists Friday rejected calls from foreigners and parties not to declare autonomous federal republics.
The main opposition declared the Kochila autonomous region by incorporating Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari and the Limbuwan autonomous region by including Tehrathum, Panchthar,Ilam, Dhankuta and taplejung districts.
Limbuwan Rajya Parishad which has declared nine districts east of Arum river an autonomous region objected to the Maoist declaration.
Maoists will declared 13 autonomous regions even as the task of forming new state structure after ousting monarchy has been entrusted to the CA.
Maoists say the declaration is not anti-constitutional or against the spirit of the comprehensive peace agreement as the interim constitution envisages a federal structure.
PRESIDENTIAL CONCERN
Meanwhile, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav Friday expressed serious concern with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar with the Maoist declaration of the two federal autonomous regions in the East.
‘The president expressed concern whether the constitution won’t be drafted in time by this [declaration],” the president’s press advisor Rajendra Dahan said quoting Dr Yadav.
Raghuji Pant, political advisor of the prime minister, said the government chief has asked Prachanda not to declare autonomous regions.
“Maoists aren’t positive to democracy; they don’t want to abandon their weapons; they want to impose dictatorship,’ the premier said in Kavre Friday.
The country is heading on a dangerous collision course.
Nnnn

Birgunj closed down for fourth day

Kathmandu, 12 Dec: Birgunj was closed down Saturday for the fourth consecutive day.
Traders are protesting the murder of a businessman in the town.
nnnn

Girija’s signature forged at CA

Kathmandu, 12 Dec: The signature of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala has been forged in the attendance book of the constituent assembly (CA), Naya Patrika reports.
Koirala’s presence is recorded in the book for a 18 November meeting.
He was undergoing medical treatment at a Singapore hospital that day.
Nnnn

Obama writes to PM Nepal

Kathmandu, 12 Dec: President Barack Obama has written to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal highly appreciating the role of Nepal andNepal Army in UN peacekeeping operation, Kantipur reports.
The president recalled his meeting with Nepal earlier this year in New Yord during the UN general assembly session.
Nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“They slit my finger while saying isn’t this the hand with which you write.”

“Injured Rukum journalist Tika Bista, Kantipur, 12 Dec.)
nnnn