Angry PM Nepal lashes out at UNMIN

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 9 July: Angry Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said Friday those ‘unconcerned with constitution drafting have no right to speak’ and were making difficult drafting the constitution.
He called the off-the-cuff remarks by UNMIN on Maoist combatants a ‘conspiracy’ and ‘unhelpful’; the suggestions circulated to political party leaders was published in a broadsheet newspaper hours before the premier spoke in the capital.
Comments from such quarters were making the task of constitution drafting difficult within the deadline of 28 May 2011.
‘Unconcerned have no right to speak,” Nepal said. Its (UNMIN] suggested “60 months [for integration and resettlement or15 months] while only 11 months remain to promulgate a constitution’.
He called it a ‘conspiracy’ and such comments came from ‘people who don’t have an idea on constitution drafting’.
Nepal said this Friday while visiting ailing UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari at a hospital in the capital.
“Nepal and Nepalis can resolve their problems. They have the brains and ability.
“Nepal does not need the experience seen nowhere in the world,” he added.
Meanwhile, PM Nepal Friday called for a mechanism of four largest parties immediately after three Majdesh parties demanded representation on a national consensus government to push the terai agenda to end a political deadlock. .
Maoists don’t figure in the caretaker premier’s mechanism.
MAOISTS FINALIZE DOCUMENT
Meanwhile, the main opposition Maoists will make public their proposal to end a stalemate as demanded by ruling parties Saturday.
A meeting of party officials finalized the document after a three-hour meeting Friday.
Following the finalization of the report, a scheduled parliamentary party meeting was postponed.
The document details official party position of integration and resettlement of former combatants, YCL disbandment, return of seized assets demanded by ruling and other parties in government for the formation of a Maoist-led government of national consensus.
The document also deals with the missing during the 10-year insurgency and destroyed infrastructure during the 10-yer people’s war..
Twenty-two parties met again Friday and expressed concern with the prolonged deadlock urging Maoists, NC and UML to end the impasse.
Maoist Vice-chairman called the document a ‘proposal for understanding’.
He said,” the remaining time should be used positively,” as the main opposition demanded a national unity government under its leadership.
Such a government seems unlikely with Friday’s developments.
Only four days remain in the extended deadline.
Twenty-two parties in parliament Friday expressed serious concern with three parties.
They suggested implementing point 1 of the 28 May three-point tripartite agreement to end the current deadlock.
The parties called for convening a meeting of all 25 parties in parliament and sought a role in a future government of national unity.
UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal told a party meeting in the capital Friday said past commitments must be implemented by Maoists who can then lead a national unity government.
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UML blames Maoists for murder of Okhaldungha activist

Kathmandu, 9 July: UML Friday blamed Maoists for overnight murder of Okhaldungha district activist Chabilal Karki.
Chairman Jhalanath Khanal issued a statement blaming Maoists.
Party General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel said the ruling based its conclusion on preliminary reports received from the district.
Pokhrel couldn’t fly to the district Friday for on-the–spot investigation after bad weather forced the cancellation of his flight from the capital.
He said district Maoists were involved in the murder.
Pokhrel added Karki had filed a complaint with the local administration against Maoists.
Karki was a national council member of the party.
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Eight dead, 30 injured in Bara

Kathmandu, 9 July: Eight persons were killed and at least 30 were injured when an uncontrolled speeding bus overturned and met with an accident at 14 kilo on the Pathlaiya/Nijgadh section of the Mahendra Highway in Bara Friday.
The bus with was heading for Bailbas in Sarlahi from the capital.
Three passengers died instantly while five others succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at two hospitals.
Most injured are serious.
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Finance minister briefs president

Kathmandu, 9 July: Finance Minister Surendra Pandey on behalf of the government Friday briefed President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on the special budget being introduced by the caretaker government Monday for the second time in two years.
The ordinance has the support of the three largest parties and will approved when a new government replaces the team led by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal when the extended political deadlock in resolved.
Government can spend one-third of the current budget estimate through the ordinance without slapping new taxes.
The procedure is a convenience for the three parties without addressing major economic issues the country is facing.
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Three abductors of Dr Bhaktiman Shrestha transferred to Chitwan; other details

Kathmandu, 9 July: Three abductors of Dr Bhaktaman Shrestha were transferred to Chitwan from the capital Friday.
Two Nepalese and an Indian were among seven identified abductors of the cancer specialist and Chief of the BP Koirala Cancer Memorial Hospital in Chitwan one month ago..
Badri Prasad Dhungana, Sabin Shrestha and Nabin Chetri, an Indian, were transferred Friday to Chitwan from where the doctor was abducted for further legal action.
Dr Shrestha handed over 3.5 km as ransom for his freedom; the yellow material was delivered persons in Kanpur, India.
The abductors face seven to 15 years in prison.
Police Friday presented before media in central terai four suspected killers of trader Ramesh Bhandari and his wife, Asha; they were shot dead 17 days ago in Butwal.
Sambhu Gautuam, on a most wanted list, Sher Prasad BK, Min Thapa and Purba Bahadur Sirish Magar were presented before media representatives as two suspects are missing.
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Several NSC officials detained after dispute

Kathmandu, 9 July: Several officials of National Sports Council (NSC) were detained Friday after a violent dispute broke out at the office of the member-secretary’s office.
The dispute erupted between officials of the sports governing body over location of a stadium for the eastern -- Dharan, Sunsari or Itahari.
The dispute erupted as the money set aside for the stadium construction will lapse if it isn’t spent by 16 July when the current fiscal year ends.
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