HLPM meet inconclusive

1 Feb.: A meeting of the high-level political mechanism (HLPM) that discussed integration of 19,000 Maoists combatants and an end of a prolonged stalemate was inconclusive Monday.
Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, Maoist Chairman Prachanda and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal couldn’t agree in integration and drafting a common parliamentary resolution to address Maoist demand to correct what the main opposition said is an unconstitutional act of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav to retain then Army Chief Gen. Rukmangud Katawal sacked by the nine-month Prachanda government.
Rulking parties oppose Maoist demand to discuss the presidential action in parliament.
Maoists standing waited till Tuesday for the outcome of the HLPM meet to announce details of their fifth phase anti-government and anti-president protests waiting.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, an invited member of the bod,.
didn’t attend Monday’s meet.
Nnnn

Ruling alliance parties meeting

Kathmandu, 1 Feb: Ten parties of the ruling alliance are meeting for the
second time Monday in two days to discuss demands from a faction in the
Nepali Congress (NC) to oust the government of Prime Minister Madhav
Kumar Nepal and replace it with a government led by the NC.
Nepal’s government has been shaken with th demand also pushed by Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala who has been dragged into a
controversy..
Top Congress leaders, including Sher Bahadur Deuba and Acting
President Sushil Koirala oppose the move by young Turks in the
party.
The change in government hasn’t been discussed in the NC, top leaders
said demanding a statement from Sujata.
Top leaders say the demand for government change in a Maoist ploy.
Nnnn

Maoists agree in principle to place Maoist commandants under a new body

Kathmandu, 1 Feb.: Maoists, who till now, retain control of the 19,000 plus Maoist combatants in 28 cantonments and satellite camps under
UNMIN watch have agreed in principle to put it under a secretariat of a
Special committee for supervision, integration and rehabilitation
headed by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
A meeting Sunday agreed to establish a new chain of command as well.
The secretariat will have nine members with one member each from Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Maoists andd five
experts.
The committee meets again Tuesday.
Nnnn

UK temporarily suspends visas for Nepali students

Kathmandu, 1 Feb: Great Britain has temporarily suspended issuing
visas to Nepali students following a surge in departures for the
United Kingdom, the British embassy said.
The embassy stopped taking applications from Monday.
nnnn