MAOIST DEMAND FOR GENERAL RANK WON;TBE AN OBSTACLE SAYS BAIDYA

MAOIST DEMAND FOR GENERAL RANK IN NEPAL ARMY WON’T BE AN OBSTACLE SAYS BAIDYA

Kathmandu, 14cMarch:: At a time when political parties and the UCPN (Maoist) are at loggerheads over concluding the integration process, a senior leader of the ruling party has assured that the integration process would not stop due to intra-party contentions on rank determination of the PLAs, Reportersnepal.com reports.
Mohan Baidya "Kiran", who is often quoted as the hardliner Vice Chairman of the ruling the party, said "we (his faction) don’t think that the party leadership will obstruct the integration process now, when it has reached the final stage."
While accepting a memo demanding timely conclusion of both peace and constitution writing process from a delegation of journalists led by the Reporters Club Nepal on Wednesday, Baidya however maintained that his faction had reservations against the "disarmament" and "insult" of the PLAs by the party leadership through various agreements reached with other political parties.
"Peace process is concluding, but we don’t expect the outcome will be good," said Baidya warning that the process should be concluded by ensuring that Nepalese will won't have to take on the guns again.
Expressing dissatisfaction for limiting the peace process to the integration of the Maoist combatants, Baidya stresses on the need to form the commission on disappeared and other transitional justice mechanism to institutionalize peace process.
Refuting claims of the opposition parties who view peace and constitution writing process as different, Baidya said that both process will interrelated and should be dealt parallel.
"We still have time to convene intense discussion on peace and constitution drafting. We are concerned whether the new constitution will address the aspirations of the general public or not," question Baidya.
Commenting on the formation of national consensus government, Baidya claimed that Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattara should immediately step down and pave way for the formation of such government.
Accusing the government of not addressing the needs of the general public and nation, he claimed that they will take to the streets to topple the government, if it did not step down on its own accord.
"We are confused whether the government is by the Maoists. It has been taking orders from the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML)," said Baidya while warning the party leadership that they would implement the decisions taken by the party if it failed to do so.
The Club had submitted the memo calling on institutionalizing the peace process and promulgating the new constitution within the stipulated timeframe.
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MAOIST GENERAL SECRETARY THAPA ASKS FORMER MAOIST
FIGHTERS ON VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT TO PREPARE FOR FRESH STRUGGLE
Kathmandu, 14 March: UCPN (Maoist) General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa on Tuesday urged the former Maoist combatants, who recently took voluntary retirement, to become ready for fresh struggle, Greatwayonline reports from Dang.
Thapa, addressing an assembly of former Maoist combatants in Lamahi of Dang, said that the assembly was organised to centralise the former combatants as the revolution has not completed and the people’s aims have not been fulfilled. He expressed his gratitude to the combatants choosing voluntary retirement instead of surrendering and urged them to become ready for another struggle.
Former Maoist combatants above the post of joint-commander of Maoist platoon from across the country have been participating in the assembly.
The assembly was organised after the party disregarded them and did not give any role after they took voluntary retirement, said fifth division joint-commander Ram Lal Rokka.
The assembly is expected to formulate a new plan on the role of combatants. Rokka said the assembly was organised to show the unity and the objective of the “people’s army” has not completed.
Maoist leaders close to hardliner Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya have showed up for the assembly. Maoist Standing Committee member Netrabikram Chand ‘Biplov’, Tharuwan State Committee In-charge Hari Bhakta Kandel, among other leaders, are attending the assembly.
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FROM THE CAPITAL, ROAD EXPANSION CLEARING DRIVE
EXTENDED TO CHITWAN
Kathmandu, 14 March; The Bharatpur Municipality, Road Division Office and District Traffic Police Office Chitwan have started removing physical infrastructures and footpath shops within 25 metres of the main road in the market areas, RSS reports from Chitwan.
Chief District Officer of Chitwan Ganesh Raj Karki started the works by starting the dozer. Some 21 physical infrastructures have been built against the road code of conduct in Narayangadh Bazaar area.
However, the footpath vendors have vented their anger saying the infrastructures were removed from the road without making any alterative arrangement for them as they had been making a livelihood there.
Present while starting the campaign were Municipality's Executive Officer Ramji Baral, Road Division Office Chief Birendra Kumar Mandal, DSP Rabi Poudel, and Traffic Inspector Krishna Dutta Bhatta.
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