Maoist central committee approves programme

Kathmandu, 5 Jan. Maoist central committee Tuesday approved details of an indefinite strike from 24 January against the government and president.
Chairman Prachanda is still announcing details at a news conference at the end of the committee meeting.
The central committee endorsed the decision of the politburo to go on a nation-wide strike to promote patriotism and civilian supremacy.
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More than 20 dead in terai cold wave

Kathmandu, 5 Jan. A cold wave has killed more than 20 persons in terai.
Eight persons each have died in Mohottari and Saptari along.
Cold-related diseases are increasing in the region where many schools have closed down.
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Seti, Mahalaki anchals closed down

Kathmandu, 5 Jan.: Seti, Mahakali anchals were closed down Tuesday by Rashtriya Janamorcha opposing a federal sfructure.
Seven hill and two terai districts in the anchals were affected by the forced closure.
The party which supports the government from the opposition bench has held protests in two phases in four anchals.
It plans protests in all 14 anchals.
The state-owned The Rising Nepal Monday endorsed a call of Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala for a referendum to decide the demand for federation opposed by critics who say such a structure will disintegrate the country.
Koirala’s demand, supporters of federalism say, is against the spirit of the interim constitution and the comprehensive peace treaty.
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Terai militant killed

Kathmandu, 5 Jan.: Police shot dead military commander of Terai Janatantrik Mukti Morcha Bijaya Sahani Bikranta Monday near Lahan.
He died in a shooting incident as he attempted to flee after his arrest.
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Indian army chief’s remarks not govt. view

Kathmandu, 5 Jan.: The remarks of Indian Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor Maoist PLA shouldn’t be integrated in Nepal Army isn’t the official view of the Indian government, the Indian embassy said.
Maoists have protested the statement in The Kathmandu Post.
H made the statement during the just concluded India visit of Army Chief Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung.
“We have seen media reports attributing certain remarks to the Indian Chief of Army Staff Gen Deepak Kapoor on the issue of PLA integration in Nepal Army which are highly distorted and do not reflect the Government of India’s position.
‘It is regrettable that certain political parties are deliberately exploiting these distortions to generate a controversy involving India,”the Indian embassy said Monday.
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Prachanda says India promoting Dr Baburam Bhattarai in main opposition

Kathmandu, 5 Jan.: Chairman Prachanda said India is promoting Vice-Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai as a candidate for prime minister initiating foul play in UCPN (Maoist), Rajdhani reports.
OPrachanda said this Sunday at a central meeting of the Janasanskriti Mahasangh.
He also said he will lead a national government to stop Indian play in the party.
Prachanda proposed at a recent meeting he should lead the next government.
The proposal was approved.
“The aim of India to propose Baburam prime minister is to play in the party,” a member present at the meeting said.” The party took the decision on the leadership of the next government to stop the play.”
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Maoist PLA game-plan

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 5 Jan.: The reason behind Maoist declaration of 13 federal autonomous republics is slowly emerging, Jana Bhawana reports.
This is a preparation to send at least 12,000 combatants to each republic.
The coordinators have been empowered to collect funds for the purpose.
The proposed declaration of Tamu army during Tamu Lhosar confirms this.
The army couldn’t be launched because Army Chief Gen. Chatraman Singh Gurung was chief guest at the function.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“I see corrupt all around me. They go unpunished. Therefore, I am encouraged to corruption.”

(Congress leader Gagan Thapa, Kantipur TV, 5 Jan.)

“Koirala [Girija] has been involved in many corruption scandals and did not even bother to appear before the CIAA to answer questions related to financial irregularities. Can this kind of a tainted figure receive Nobel Peace Prize?”

(Sudarshan Shrestha, The Kathmandu Post, 5 Jan.)