Maoists withdraw strike; govt. again asks Maoists to withdraw strike; other details (BREAKING NEWS)

Kathmandu, 7 May: Maoists withdraw their indefinite nation-wide strike six days after widespread national and international protests and pressure Friday.
Chairman Prachanda made the announcement after a standing committee meeting.
The party said other programmes of what’s been called the 3rd Janaandolan will continue.
Thousands of peace marchers came out on the streets in the capital and elsewhere protesting the seize of streets.
The cabinet again asked Maoists Friday to withdraw their strike and sit down for a dialogue to consider its demand for the formation of a national government led by Chairman Prachanda.
A cabinet resolution thanked the people for their patience during the crippling six-day Maoist strike that has brought the country to a standstill.
Maoists met Friday to review the strike and future strategies as leaders of the main opposition said the strike will continue.
The people suffered as a result of the failure of the Maoists and eight parliamentary parties to implement a vague and ambitious 12-point peace agreement signed in New Delhi four years ago, including the toppling of monarchy.
The integration of Maoist army to be completed in six months and the promulgation of a constitution to institutionalize a republic in two years won’t be met.
If any proof was needed of direct foreign involvement in Nepal’s internal politics in the last four years, EU envoys Thursday collectively met top leaders of the three biggest parties and asked them to force consensus amid a looming economic and political crisis.
It’s unusual for ambassadors to behave like trade union leaders and direct parties as they did Thursday when they ordered them to come to a consensus within two days.
Perhaps, the order worked.
The same day, Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood also held discussions with Chairman Prachanda and asked him to call off the strike.
Maoist standing committee met Friday evening to review the six-day strike and change of form of the strike.
Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai threatened at a public meeting in Kalanki the from would be changed after government ignored its demands charging preparations were being made to impose military rule.
Home ministry said Friday police lobbed 26 teargas shells during the strike in the Valley.
Women in Sindhuli Friday intercepted three buses carrying Maoist activists home after participating in the strike charging them for defying the strike.
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Subash Nemwang holds discussions with president

Kathmandu, 7 May Chairman of parliament and the constituent assembly Subash Nemwang Friday evening held discussions with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
He held discussions with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and chips of major parties Thursday as the country is heading towards a political crisis as a constitution won’t be promulgated by the 28 May deadline to institutionalize a republic declared by an unelected and self-appointed parliament.
The two-year tenure of the assembly also ends 28 May.
Three sessions of parliament couldn’t be held with the strike
to discuss the emerging crisis.
There’s no unanimity, but some lawyers have suggested the mandate of the assembly can be extended by parliament.
But extension of the mandate will have no meaning as fundamental differences between Maoists and other parties who oppose a Maoist strategy to establish a communist state in Nepal.
Maoists emerged as the biggest political and no be major political decision can be taken without their consent.
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Lightning kills seven

Kathmandu, 7 May: Lightning killed seven persons in Salahi, Dhanusha and the hill district of Khotang Friday.
Three Indians died in Dhanusha.
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80 kg explosives recovered in Khotang

Kathmandu, 7 May” Eighty 80 explosives were recovered hidden in an underground tank Friday at a village in Khotang, the home ministry said.
A rebel group demanding autonomy in the hill district earlier attacked a police post in the district and decamped with one pistol and 10 rifles.
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