PARLAIMENT TO INVSTIGATE LEGISLATIVE SSAULT; OTHER DETAILS

Kathmandu, 20 Nov.: Speaker Subash Nemwang, who has come under fierce attack for his handling or non-handling of events in parliament Friday, said the Maoist assault on ministers will be investigated.
‘The incident doesn’t look good. The president told the prime minister he was saddened,” Rajendra Dahal, Press Advisor of the president said of the encounter between the head of state and government chief Friday night.
Briefing the president Dr. Yadav the cabinet demanded action against the guilty.
The government asked the speaker to take action against those guilty.
‘Whatever events occurred in parliament, they are objectionable in Nepal’s parliamentary history and should be condemned by all,” Speaker Subash Nemwang told reporters after emerging from parliament.
He has been criticized by government lawmakers and ministers for not intervening by issuing a ruling.
Nemwang was accused of failure to ensure the security of ministers and lawmakers in the legislature—his entire responsibility and not the government’s, Home Minister Bhim Rawal said.
‘Necessary investigations will be conducted. Action will be taken according to rules,” Nemwang said.
UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, considered close to Maoists, condemned Maoist behaviour.
‘The way Maoist legislators presented themselves, it’s very saddening and regrettable.
“Following talks in Gokarna [two rounds between the Big Three after tihar], there was talk of bringing the budget. Procedures were moving ahead according to the agreement. How this suddenly happened should be seriously investigated” Khanal said.
Maoist leader and legislator Barsha Man Pun charged government was attempting to bring a budget through ordinance triggering the incident.
“The incident happened after government preparations to bring a budget though ordinance. Incident happened beyond our expectation,” he said.
The sole remaining candidate for prime minister and NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel said,” This was like a guerrilla attack on a police outpost.”
Maoists kicked the briefcase with budget proposal at least thrice.
‘Now, talks with Maoists are meaningless,” he added.
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