Maoist leader apprehended in Parsa

Kathmandu, 28 June: Jalim Miya, Chief of Muslim Mukti Morcha affiliated with Maoists, was apprehended overnight from his home in Jagannathpur in Parsa for investigation into Saturday’s murder of Hindu Youth Federation (HYF) Chairman Kashi Tiwar.
He was taken into custody on leads provided by four persons during interrogation, police said.
HYF has lodged a complaint with local authorities charging Maoists were behind the murder.
Tiwari hasn’t been cremated even three days after his shooting and his body has been kept on display at Birgunj.
The Federation is demanding action and follow-up action before thebody is lifted.
Hindus forcibly evicted Maoists from their camp in Birgunj during an indefinite nation-wide anti-government strike that fizzled out in six days earlier this year.
Maoists were enraged.
Nnnn

Parliament likely to meet 5 July

Kathmandu, 28 June: Government and parliament are consulting to convene a delayed session of parliament 5 July, Speaker Subash Nemwang said Sunday.
Nemwang told this to reporters after consulting Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Maoists said they will obstruct proceedings for the second time in two years; this was confirmed by the speaker.
nnnn.

Only 11 months remain to promulgate a constitution

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 June: A tripartite agreement signed exactly one month
ago on 28 May by Maoists, Nepali Congress (NC) and UML to extend the two-year elected mandate of the constituent assembly (CA) until 28 May 2011 to draft a republican constitution has created new problems instead of breaking a prolonged political stalemate.
The three parties met and agreed to draw up a new schedule to complete draft a constitution to institutionalize a republic declared by a self-appointed, unelected parliament by toppling the 238-year-old Shah dynasty established by Prithvi Narayan Shah.
Maoists now say even the CA proceedings won’t proceed until Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal resigns as stipulated in the written tripartite agreement which hasn’t been signed by Nepal.
Main opposition Maoists now are pressing for the implementation of all three points of the written agreement, including the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, and said no work will be taken up.
Work in parliament and the CA has come to a standstill.
The entire attention of parties in parliament has been centered around either toppling government or clinging on to power.
Maoists contend the peace process will be concluded and a republican will be promulgated if only the party with 40 percent seats in the CA and parliament is in government.
How?
Differences on fundamental principles to be incorporated be incorporated in the proposed continue won’t fade away with Maoists joining the government.
Efforts haven’t been made to address these fundamental and difficult issues.
The issue is not promulgating a constitution in the remaining 11 months.
The need now is to issue a DEMOCRATIC constitution that will preserve democracy and democratic structures in the 21st century.
The real fight is between liberal democratic values and Draconian communism; the earlier this is realized the better.
nnnn


Nepali women leave to climb remaining seven highest summits

Kathmandu, 28 June: A group of Nepali women who scaled the 8848 meters high Mount Everest in 2008, is flying for Australia Monday to complete a campaign to climb the seven tallest summits in seven continents.
The team coordinated by Shailee Basnet will begin its effort by first attempting the 2228 meters high Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia.
Italy’s Reinhold Messner is the first climber to complete a dream of alpinists to set foot atop the highest summits in all continents.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Sunday handed over a Buddha statute to the team to be gifted to new and first Australian woman Prime Minister Julia Gillard; President Dr Ram Baran Yadav handed the national flag
to be planted atop the Astralian peak.
Other expedition members are: Asha Kumari Singh, Channu Shrestha, Nim Doma Sherpa, Pujan Acharya, skydiver Maya Gurung, Ngawang Phuti Sherpa and Usha Bista.
Three women hail from Dolakha.
The expedition sponsored by Nepal Mountaineering Association, North Face, non-resident Nepalis, Nepal Tourism Board and organizations related to mountaineering.
The team will raise awareness during interactions in educational institutions and communities on the adverse impact of climate change in the Hmalaya with the highest mountains in the world.
By 2011, the expedition will also attempt Elbrus in Europe, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Denali in USA, Acocangua in South America and Vinson Massif in Antartica.
Nnnn

Maoist team leaves for China Tuesday

Kathmandu, 27 Nov: A Maoist team headed by Vice-chairman Nrayan Kazi Shestha and Foreign Department Chief Krishna Bahadur Mahara leaves for China Tuesday for a 10-day visit, Shrestha said.
The team is visiting the northern neighbour at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.
Other team members are: Lokendra Bista, Hitraj Pandey, Santosh Budamagar, Khagraj Bhatta, Krishnadeb Singh Danuwar, Pawanman Shrestha, Satya Pahadi, Durlab Pun and Prachanda’s daughter Ganga Dahal.
The team begins the China visit by flying to Lhasa.
nnnn

Congress asks govt. to convene parliament

Kathmandu, 27 June: Nepali Congress has asked government to call parliament into session immediately.
“I ask government to immediately convene parliament,” Nabindra Raj Joshi, Spokesman of Nepali Congress (NC) parliamentary party Nabindra Raj Joshi said in a statement Sunday.
Maoists say they will obstruct the budget session and prevent the passage of the annual budget 2010/11.
Government called the parliament into session after consulting SpeakerSUbash Subash Nemwang but later renegaded to collect support of parties for government plans and programmes.
nnnn

Collective leadership against Prachanda

Kathmandu, 28 June: Three senior leaders have alerted Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal for sidelining collective leadership even as the party has adopted multi-party process, Kantipur reports.
Vice-chairmen Mohan Baidya, Baburam Bhattarai and General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa are collectively alerting Dahal, a top source told Kantipur.
Their conclusion is the party has suffered a bid damage in the last one year as a result of Dahal’s behaviour and statements as Dahal sidelined collective leadership.
This has made the trio serious.
A new realignment has emerged in Maoists following the dissatisfaction.
“A new alignment has emerged in the party. Now whatever the chairman says won’t prevail,” the top source said.
The two vice-chairmen have come closed and Ram Bahadur Thapa is behind them.
A source close to Baidya said this alliance will emerge stronger at the forthcoming expanded party meeting.
Barsha Man Pun, previously close to Dahal,is now Bhattarai’s advisor.
nnnn


MEDIA GOOGLE

“The prime minister hasn’t been able to take up various issues concerning ministers. Concerning ministers, he should act like he has acted with secretaries.”

(Congress leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, Deshantar, 28 June)

‘This government couldn’t succeed; it couldn’t complete the peace and promulgate a constitution; it couldn’t complete its commitment; that’s why there no reason to assist it.”

(UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, Annapurna Post, 28 June)
nnnn