ANOTHER BIG THREE, MADESH MORCHA ATTEMOT TO PROMULGATE CONSTITUTION Kathmandu, 26 May: With only two days remaining to promulgate a constitution, the Big Three and Madeshi Morcha are meeting again Saturday to attempt a breakthrough to launch a basic law by 27 May. The ruling and opposition parties meet as President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav Thursday asked the main political parties with a majority in the constituent assembly (CA) to come to a consensus and promulgate a constitution incorporating agrees themes while leaving differences to be sorted out by a transitional parliament. A political crisis heightened this week after the supreme court issued an interim order to government not implement a cabinet decision to extend the CA tenure by another here months after 27 May to buy time and for government to continue in office on pretext of writing a basic law. Maoists have come down heavily against the apex court verdict arguing an elected government has unbridled powers even with checks and balances in the interim constitution and power of judicial review given to the supreme court. Maoists charged the court for indulging in politics, giving a hasty decision without ‘recognizing the country is passing through a transitional phase’. The party leading the government has threatened to take to the streets if a constitution with 10 to 14 ethnic provinces in launched. Maoists have sought support of Madeshbadi parties in parliament and what they call ‘nationalist forces’ after opposition from NC and UML. Chairman Prachanda Thursday sought but didn’t get support from archrival First Vice-chairman Mohan Baidhaya who was assisted by UCPN (Maoist) General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa in the talks. Besides differences on provinces, the major parties are divided on immediate change of government with Maoists opposed to handover of power without an environment for promulgating a basic law. Maoist leadership Friday extended full support to beleaguered Prime Minster Baburam Bhattarai whose resignation has been demanded by NC and UML before 27 May. Nnnn STRIKES CONTINUE Kathmandu, 26 May: Strikes continued Saturday nation-wide pressing Various regional and provincial demands ahead of 27 May. A Broad Madesh Morcha on MJFN Chairman Upendra Yadav continued its closure of terai districts making life inconvenient for people living in areas bordering India. Advocates of a Greater far-West resumed their closure of nine districts they want incorporated in the region even after an agreement with government for renegading of assurances. In the Valley, Brahmins, Cheetris, Dashnamis and other castes are bringing out a warning rally also charging government for going back on commitments by submitting to demands of ethnic nationalities to call off the latter’s nation-wide extended three-day strike. Government has been inviting every protesting for talks and signing agreements meeting demands with immediate purpose of withdrawing agitation without considering long-term consequences. Crahmins, Cheetris, Dashnamis and other castes have threatened to resume strike for renegading.. nnnn CAPITAL’S SATURDAY MORNING TEMPERATURE 22 DEGREES CELSIUS WITH DRIZZLE Kathmandu, 26 May: Capitals Saturday morning temperature was 22 degrees Celsius with a drizzle. Temperature in the afternoon is expected to rise to 32 degrees Celsius. Nnnn SECURITY REINFORCED IN VALLEY AHEAD OF 27 MAY DEADLINE Kathmandu, 26 May: With just two days left for the expiry of the Constituent Assembly’s May 27 deadline, the Capital is under the hawk-eye surveillance of security agencies. A multi-layer security ring is already in place in and around the CA Building with more than 6,000 cops from Nepal Police and Armed Police Force being deployed across the city with special focus on the President’s Office, Vice President’s Office, PM’s residence, Singha Durbar, Tribhuvan International Airport and other vital installations in full gear. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s interim order against CA term extension and public outcry over the political parties’ lethargic performance to deliver the constitution within the deadline, Nepal Police has reinforced security for leaders of major political forces during their movement. A senior police official said security has also been stepped up in the Supreme Court and Chief Justice Khila Raj Regmi’s residence to thwart any untoward incidents. “We have deployed additional security forces even for the escorting of Chief Justice,” the official informed. Enhanced security and traffic arrangements have been made across the city with establishment of 162 checkpoints in major and inner roads. Sniffer dogs have been mobilised in all transits of Kathmandu to check contrabands and explosives. Additional security forces have been called in Kathmandu to fortify the CA-centred security. The official informed that as many as 640 riot cops have been assigned under the command of SP Basnta Pant to guard the restricted areas in and around the CA building. All four corners are under DSPs. Fire engines, bomb disposal squads, sniffer dogs, water canons, medics, ambulances, special taskforce, quick response teams and riot vehicles have been put on alert on the premises of the CA Building whereas security personnel with binoculars have stationed atop high-rise buildings to keep a tab on the scenario in the prohibited zones and the vicinity. Security has been beefed up in crowded markets, bus terminals, banks and financial institutions and tourist hubs to maintain law and order situation. District command post The Kathmandu District Administration Office in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Range, Hanumandhoka has set up District Command Post at DAO’s office to coordinate directly with the Home Ministry for security arrangement, mobilisation, riot control and use of force against persons and groups posing threats to security. The Command Post formed under CDO Ratna Raj Pandeya comprises MRP in-charge SSP Jaya Bahadur Chand. The post has been empowered to adopt all sorts of security strategies to ensure peace and security. District Security Assessment Coordination Committee has been formed to study security situations and give feedback to the command post. Nnnn