Two newspapers report secret deal between PM Nepal and Prachanda for outlet

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 5 July:: Two newspapers in Monday editions reported a ‘secret’ deal between Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Maoist Chairman Prachanda last week break a prolonged year-long political deadlock.
“Four days after Prime Minister Madhab Kumar Nepal tendered his resignation, it has been learnt that the outgoing prime minister’s move came after a secret agreement with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on the basic principles of the new constitution and the peace process,” Republica reports.
“Prime Minister Madhav Kumar resigned after a ‘secret deal’ with UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal about the modality of the integration of Maoist combatants, according to sources,” said The Kathmandu Post.
Both newspapers reported the meeting took place 27 June.
Former Nepali Congress lawmaker Amresh Kumar Singh brokered the agreement, Republica reports.
“Why I have been compelled to disclose the deal is because the Maoists have not shown any willingness to begin the process of implementing it. Instead hey have tried to bypass he agreement seeking to form a government hastily,” the newspaper quoted Singh as saying.
“However, Maoist Vice Chairman Narayan Kazi Shrestha denied there was any agreement, though he conceded that the ‘meeting was held that night,.’” Kathmandu post reported.
It added: “Sources said Nepal resigned after Dahal ‘agreed’ to integrate 5000 to 7,000 Maoist combatants in the security forces, relocate cantoned combatants, one for rehabilitation and another for integration and complete both integration and rehabilitation in a month before a new consensus government is formed.”
Press Advisor Bishnu Rijal said according to the Post: “The meeting ended after an understanding on integrating 5,000 to 7,000 Maoist combatants. Dahal proposed 7,000 against the prime minister’s proposal of 5,000. He even sought establishing a separate security force by bringing in 7,000 each in Nepal Police and Nepal Army.
Republica reports: ”In the secret talks, both the leaders had agreed to integrate 5,000 Maoist combatants into the state forces—Nepal Army, Civilian Police and Armed Police Forces—and give a golden handshake with attractive economic packages to the rest.”
The newspaper added: “According to Singh, Nepal and Dahal agreed to adopt press freedom, independence of judiciary (not under direct control of parliament and competitive multi-party democracy to ensure a democratic constitution. Under my initiative, it was also agreed that six provinces—four in the hills and two in the Tarai—would be created while restructuring the state.”
Republica said ;”There was no fourth person present when the deal was struck at a private house and both Nepal and Dahal were there without theirs security guards and official drivers.”
(Note: Singh, it has been reported in the past is a facilitator between parties in Nepal and Indian government as a political gridlock continues.)
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Couple murdered in Dang

Kathmandu, 5 July: A Gurung couple was murdered overnight in Sadbariya, Dang.
The bodies of Bardan, 45, and his wife Mansuba, were recovered from their house and compound.
Mansuba’s throat was slit.
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Landslide kills two, five missing in Dhading



Kathmandu, 5 July: Two persons were smothered and five other members of a family, mostly women, are missing when a landslide hit Gumdi in Dhading overnight.
The bodies of the dead have been retrieved from the rubble.
Two persons were rescued.
Four houses were completely destroyed and 10 others have been damaged.
Fifty domestic cattle were killed.
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UML shuts down Dhanusha

Kathmandu, 5 July: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s ruling UML Monday shut down Dhanusha district in central terai Monday.
Schools, business and industries shut down and there was o vehicular traffic in Janakpur and along major highways.
Madan Yadav, an activist Youth Force—a UML affiliate, was shot dead in the district Sunday.
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VDC secretaries continue to resign

Kathmandu, 5 July; Forty-two VDC secretaries Sunday collectively resigned following threats .
They said in a letter threw was no security at work following pressure to resign one day earlier from Samyukta Jatiya Morcha.
VDC secretaries have been resigning nation-wide under similar threats in the terai and hills with the breakdown of law and order.
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