PM BHATTARAI GREETED BY BLACK FLAGS FOR SIGNING 'ANTI-NATIONAL' DEAL WITH INDIA

PM BHATTARAI GREETED BY BLACK
FLAG DEMONSTRATORS OF OWN PARTY ON ARRIVAL FROM INDIA

By Bhola R Rana

Kathmandu, 23 Oct. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai was greeted
by demonstrators of his own UCPN (Maoist) leading the
government when he returned late Sunday from the Indian capital
after where he signed a controversial agreement protecting Indian investments in Nepal.
The agreement was among three signed during a four-day visit to the neighbouring South Asian state
The demonstrations were organized by a faction loyal to First
Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya calling the deal anti-national.
The agreement has been condemned by main opposition parties as well; UML has even said it will take to the streets to protest the agreement.
UCPN (Maoist) General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa Sunday broke the news Chairman Prachanda went across the border to the state of West Bengal around Dasain revealing the party boss met senior officials on Indian intelligence RAW
Prachanda and Premier Bhattarai, who is second party vice-chairman have recently teamed up against Baidya.
The developments come as India attempts to cultivate
Bhattarai to better its ties with Maoists,
Bhattarai was once described s pro-Indian in the party.
Bhattarai Sunday defended the agreement to protest Indian investments calling it ‘most important ‘of ’three agreements signed during the visit.
‘The agreement is in national interest. It will create an atmosphere for
investment,” he added at a time when there was a widening trade gap with India.
He said there should be no protests against the agreement.
The agreement will impact unity in the party already is a deep crisis
amid internal dispute.
A new dispute has been surfaced.
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VAN ACCIDET KILLS FOUR IN ILAM

Kathmandu, 23 Oct.: Four persons were killed instantly n a van accident at Laxmipur-4 in Ilam Sunday.
Eleven others were injured.
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