Fifth phase Maoist protests from 13 February

Kathmandu, 4 Feb.: Maoist Chairman Prachanda will announce Thursday details of the main opposition party’s toned down fifth phase anti-government and anti-president protests with the conclusion of UCPN (Maoist) standing committee meeting also emphasizing national independence.
Maoists launched phased and extended protests for nine months.
CP Gajurel said there will be no strikes in their nation-wide door-to-door campaign from 13 February to 6 April.
Earlier the party also withdrew a threatened indefinite nation-wide from 24 January even though government didn’t meet Maoist demands for restoration of what was called restoration of civilian supremacy of civilian authority.
Maoists launched an anti-India campaign during the fourth phase of protests.
Maoists also demanded correction of ‘unconstitutional action; of the ceremonial president to retain sacked Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
The focus of the fresh protests will prioritize drafting a constitution and pushing peace—a programme pushed by Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai in the party.
Second ranking leader Mohan Baidya Kiran urged rebellion to establish a people’s republic.
The party also decided to postpone its plenary session that was to begin mid-February.
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CA to complete discussions of subject committee reports

Kathmandu, 4 Feb.: Constituent assembly (CA) Thursday concludes discussions on suggestions of 11 subject committees for articles to be incorporated in a constitution that has to be promulgated by 28 May.
The assembly Thursday completed discussions on the last committee’s suggestions.
The CA will report to the main constitution drafting committee headed by Nilambar Acharya.
The main committee will begin work on drafting a constitution Friday.
The main committee will again report to the CA.
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PM Nepal holds discussions with Girija

Kathmandu, 4 Feb.: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal held discussions Thursday for 30 minutes with Girija Prasad Koirala who is coordinator of a controversial high-level political mechanism (HLPM).
Nepal this week has expressed displeasure at the working of the mechanism especially after main opposition Maoists pushed for government change with Koirala and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal who are members.
Nepal, who is only an invited member, has attended only one meeting of the HLPM and has boycotted six others.
The prime minister this week expressed his dissatisfaction with the HLPM functioning with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
Maoists want it to empower it with responsibility to determine number of Maoist combatants to be integrated in security agencies.
The Nepal, Koioral meeting comes one day after the Maoist demand
in the special committee for supervision, integration and rehabilitation headed by the premier.
Nepali Congress Acting President Sushil Koirala said the mechanism wasn’t the body to discuss government change after Deputy Minister Sujata Koirala and daughter of Girija also demanded a government change replacing Nepal with a Nepali Congress nominee.
Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the MJFL Bijaya Kumar Ghachedhar went to the extent of calling for the body’s dissolution.
“The relevance and constitutionality of the HMPL has come to an end as it has deviated from its responsibility and is cooking something else,” he said.
One day earlier, Gachedhar, referring to ailing Koirala, angrily said he would rather work under a Maoist government instead of joining an administration headed by a bedridden sick man.
Gachedhar also said a mechanism without a prime minister and Madesh representation has no relevance.
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Bird flu surfaces in Pokhara

Kathmandu, 4 Feb.: Bird flu has surfaced in Pokhara after an outbreak in east Nepal was contained last year.
The outbreak was confirmed after tests in London were positive.
Two hundred chickens and ducks of a farmer died in Gharipatan of the tourist resort 19 January.
Bird flu resurfaced along with swine flu that has claimed several lives.
Agriculture Minister Mrigendra Singh Yadav who heads a committee to control bird flu is considering declaring an emergency in the area.
The committee held its first meeting Friday.
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Terai Army chief surrenders with weapons

Kathmandu, 4 Feb.: Terai Army Chairman Sanjaya Kumar Shah surrendered to authorities in Rautahat Wednesday with weapons.
The outfit was involved in several bombing incidents, including one in the capital.
Central member Baliram Das also surrendered.
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British Army Chief arrives Thursday

Kathmandu, 4 Feb.: British Army Chief Gen. Sir David Julian Richards arrives Thursday night for a six-day visit leading a four-member team.
He is the guest of the Army Chief Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung.
The top British general arrives immediately after India restored ties
snapped five years ago following he imposition of direct rule by King Gyanendra.
The visiting general and Gen. Gurung are scheduled to discuss ties between Nepali and British armies.
United Kingdom followed New Delhi in snapping ties with Royal Nepal
Army.
The visit marks the partial restoration of ties between the Nepali
and British armies as well.
The USA, which also snapped ties with Royal Nepal Army five
years ago, has said military assistance will resume only when Nepal
Army prosecutes persons who committed human rights abuses during the
Maoist insurgency.
Suspension of US military assistance won’t heavily impact NA
whose main arms supplier is India even though the army is equipped with
several thousand M16 rifles.
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Tourism minister will accompany president on India visit

Kathmandu, 4 Feb.: Tourism Minister Sharad Singh Bhandari will head a 27-member government team accompanying President Dr Ram BaranYadav of his state visit of India from 15 to 18 February.
The visit will also be the president’s first foreign tour.
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Republic day on 28 May

Kathmandu, 4 Feb.: Cabinet Thursday suggested celebrating 28May as republic day.
The constituent assembly 28 May 2008 declared Nepal a republic.
The cabinet said it will hold discussions with political parties for the celebrations.
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Only 494 disqualified Maoists discharged

Kathmandu, 4 Feb.: Only 494 disqualified Maoist combatants, including child soldiers, were discharged Wednesday from a cantonment in Surkhet where 630 were registered under UNMIN watch.
Nearly half of the combatants have disappeared from other camps as well before their official discharge three years after disqualification.
The process will continue in Rolpa where it will end.
UNMIN had disqualified 4,008 combatants.
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Load-shedding to continue until 2015

Kathmandu, 4 Feb.: Energy Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said load-shedding will continue until 2015.
With extreme power shortage, load-shedding has been extended every day to 11 hours this winter.
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Etihad starts direct Kathmandu, Nagoya flights

Kathmandu, 4 Feb.: Etihad Airways Tuesday started four weekly flights from Kathmandu to Nagoya in Japan.
The flights originate from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu, Beijing and Nagoya.
There will five weekly flights from 29 March.
Meanwhile, Nepal and Singapore signed an updated air agreement 2 February in Singapore on the sidelines of an air show in the city state.
Carriers of the two countries can operate 28 weekly passenger services through intermediate points and points beyond Singapore and Kathmandu.
Airlines of the two countries can also operate 14 weekly cargo flights between the two countries.
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