GOVT, TRIES TO GAG FORMER KING Kathmandu. 10 July: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai attempted Monday to gag former King Gyanendra threatening to cut off written government facilities if he made anti-republic statements. The gag threat came from the leader of a party that launched a 10-year people’s war against the state killing more than 17,000 persons on both sides of the conflict and destroyed infrastructure. The infrastructure hasn’t been fully repaired and the country’s economy Continues from the aftereffects of the war launched from safe havens across the border. The former king didn’t talk of a resolution or even a war. He just expressed a wish to be a guardian for peace and unity if asked by People. UML leaders Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and Madhav Kumar Nepal also chastised the former king. To remind people with short memories, the UML went on a headhunting spree in Jhapa in its anti-panchayat politics. None of the present rulers and parties, including NC, accepted the prevailing constitution. The former king never talked of a constitution when it is the right on a citizen in a free, independent and democratic society to demand change in a constitution. And a prevailing constitution was declared by unelected representatives of a parliament that had completed its tenure. The declared republic hasn’t been endorsed by a constituent assembly. nnnn