MAOISTS DEMAND OFFICIAL UML POSITION ON 7-POINT AGREEMENT; OTHER DETAILS

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 11 Feb.: Maoist standing committee meeting Friday demanded an official UML position on a secret seven-point agreement Prime Minister and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal negotiated with the UCPN (Maoist) to secure his election as government with Maoist support last Thursday.
The powerful policy making body endorsed a decision of the meeting of office bearers that earlier decided not to join the government until Khanal’s party makes public its view on the deal between UML and Maoists.
UCPM (Maoist) will decide its options after the UML position is clear, Maoist Spokesman Dinanath Sharma said after the committee meeting.
Maoists accused UML of backing out of the controversial agreement to form a separate unit in state security agency with former Maoist combatants and sharing the leadership between UML and Maoists on rotation.
The agreement, therefore, ensured Maoists would head the government again after Chairman Prachanda resigned as government chief more than 21 months ago.
But Premier Khanal told reporters in the capital Friday he had no
knowledge Maoists had opted to stay out of government.
“I don’t know,” Khanal said when told by a reporter Maoists decided ot to join the government.
Khanal said the government he is heading wilt take a form of an administration of national understanding soon.
“You will see a government of understanding will be formed,” Khanal predicted as NC, the second largest party and three Madesh parties
opted to stay in the opposition.
NC now has an opportunity to exploit the differences between the
UML and Maoists.
Meanwhile, UML Secretary Shanker Pokhrel claimed Friday
the party’s ‘official’ view was the 7-point agreement should be
amended.
Khanal is facing stiff opposition from within the party and
other parties by ensuring his election with the 7-point deal with
Maoists who could withdraw support for him and UML.
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MAOISTS TO OBSERVE ANNIVERSARY OF LAUNCH OF PEOPLE’S WAR

Kathmandu, 11 Feb.: Maoist standing committee Friday decided to observe
1 Falgun Sunday as the day they launched a people’s war.
Maoists came to power not be defeating The Royal Nepal Army in the people’s war but thorough negotiations with eight political parties in India with foreign government support.
Maoists are now the biggest political party in the country sidelining
the NC.
Communists have established themselves as the largest and most
powerful force in Nepal.
Maoists also decided to conducted suspended training camps for
cadres from Wednesday.
The party is conducting training camps to train supporters for a
street protest if a constitution isn’t promulgated by 28 May.
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BIRGUNJ TENSE WHOLE DAY FRIDAY

Kathmandu, 11 Feb.: Birgunj was tense the whole day Friday after
the murder of student Pradip Singh, 18.
A student from another educational institution has been arrested for
the murderous attack with iron rods while another is absconding.
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TWO KILLED, EIGHT INJURED IN JEEP ACCIDENT

Kathmandu, 11 Feb.: A man and woman were killed when a jeep metwith an accident at Sadbariya, Parsa , Friday.
Eight were injured.
The driver was attempting to save a cyclist when he lost control
of the vehicle.
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