Talks will be held only with masters [India]:Prachanda

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 Dec.: Maoists Tuesday internationalized their demand for the restoration for ‘civilian supremacy’ saying the matter has to be discussed with India because the government is directed by foreigners.
He told thousands of supporters at a rally ‘talks will be held only with masters’ accusing the government for being run by ‘remote control’.
He said,”Talks will be held only with India.”
He presented a five-point agenda.
He said talks have to be held with India to address their demands.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda said while addressing a public meeting in the capital at the end of a three-day nation-wide violent protest.
Prachanda said a resolution to their demand can’t be found from within the country.
He charged Indian Army Chief Dipak Kapoor who said 19,000 Maoists shouldn’t be drafted en masse into Nepal Army for interfering in Nepal’s internal affairs.
He also said India was ready to rearm Nepal Army after five years.
Prachanda said arms weren’t needed.
“I feel surprised with the need,” he said.
Maoists, he said, won’t retreat.
The main opposition chief changed the media for conspiring to send the Maoists back to the jungle.
The Maoist chief announced a month-long fourth phase of heir movement will begin Friday saying it ‘will be Delhi centered’.
He said this even as General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal said recently republic was established in Nepal with foreign help.
The Maoist chief announced the end of a three-day nation-wide stoppage that was violent.
Three dozen vehicles were vandalized during the last day’s strike Tuesday.
Life throughout the country was returning to normal at the end of the protracted strike Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Prakash Shran Mahat from Nepali Congress reacted immediately saying Prachanda’s call for talks with India was “irresponsible, laughable and sad”.
He said this even as his own party flew to India and signed comprehensive peace accord with Maoists brokered by India.
Maoists themselves launched their 10-year people’s war using India as a base.
Prachanda said he spent eight of his 10 years of the people’s war in India.
Mahat’s reaction is as laughable because his party along with others invited foreign intervention in Nepal, including the UN for which the people are suffering.
The previous Nepali Congress-led government of Girija Prasad Koirala held regular consultations with myriad Indian leaders on how to conduct Nepali affairs.
Prachanda’s statement will only increase foreign interference in Nepal’s internal affairs—a process which was invited by the main parties.
The Maoist chief’s reaction comes immediately after his discussion of internal Nepali affairs with SD Muni in Singapore.
Many Nepalis believe he is a pointman for the government of India.
Mahat’s statement comes at a time when the UNMIN should be sent home after its extended mandate ends 23 January to reduce foreign influence.
But donors funding the UN will push extension to retain a foothold in Nepal through the world body.
Mahat’s reaction is itself laughable when leaders of parties, including his own, go on political errands to New Delhi and discuss internal affairs with Indian leaders and bureaucrats.
His leader Sher Bahadur Deuba recently did that.
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President holds discussions with president

Kathmandu, 22 Dec: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal held separate discussions with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala Tuesday amid increasing political uncertainty.
The premier’s aide said his forthcoming China visit was discussed in the meetings.
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Load-shedding to increase

Kathmandu, 22 Dec.: Load-shedding will be increased by two hours every day from next week, Nepal Electricity Authority said,
Power outage will be increased from four to six hours every day,
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Two shot and injured in Saptari and Morang

Kathmandu, 22 Dec.: Two persons were shot and injured by unidentified people/groups in Saptari and Morang in fresh violence in the terai.
Jivan Shan was injured when raiders entered his house overnight and shot him while exploding a socket bomb.
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Wild elephants kill two more in Dhanusha

Kathmandu, 22 Dec.: Wild elephants killed two persons, a 70-year old man and a 12-year-old girl at a village in Dhanusha Tuesday.
Four others were killed earlier at Chisapani in the distriuct.
Villagers are trying to drive away the herd from the area.
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CHATTER

‘Foreigners are flouting diplomatic norms by directly approaching the IGP seeking action against Maj. Niranjan Basnet. They are acting like new viceroys when the officer has been cleared by a military tribunal. Foreigners should approach government through the foreign ministry. ”

(Retired foreign ministry official.)
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