CPN MAOIST PROTESTS MAOIST ARRESTS IN JOURNALIST MURDER Kathmandu, 16 Jan.: Chairman of the CPN-Maoist Mohan Baidhya has warned of taking up arms again if people's rights were not guaranteed. Speaking at a press meet organised to share information about the party's recently concluded seventh general convention, leader Baidhya on Wednesday said the party was concerned about the people's problems and it would be compelled to take up arms if those problems were not addressed. The general convention has approved the work direction about how to take the agitation ahead on the basis of experiences of the 'people's war', he said adding, the party decided to intensify protests keeping nationality and the issues concerning common people on top priority. Arrest of the party cadres in Dailekh by the state of late was the violation of the peace agreement, he said and stressed that those issues should be settled by constituting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He urged journalists to raise the issue of journalist Krishnasen Ichchhuk who was killed by the state during the conflict. Stating that the 12-point understanding was no more relevant following the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, the CPN-Maoist Chairman underlined the need of new agreement in the new context. Not only the murder case of journalist Thapa, but also many others related to 'people's war' could be revived against the peace agreement but the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML could not escape such issues, he argued. Informing briefly about the convention decisions, General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa said at the press meet that though the objective prospect was ripening for revolution, the individual zeal was yet to be invigorated. The convention has endorsed the work direction of vigorous people's protest for people's federal republic, national independence, people's constitution and formation of a national united government, he added. Similarly, he said the convention has stressed the need to build a new united front of the left, patriotic, republican and federalist powers. The party has endorsed 26 contemporary proposals in addition to the demands of cancellation of the conflict-era cases, resignation of present government, release of colonel Kumar Lama, cancellation of BIPPA with India, and others. Nnnn 25 INJURED IN BUS ACCIDENT Kathmandu, 16 Jan.” Twenty-five persons were injured Wednesday when a microbus from Pokhara overturned at Syalghari, Kaski. The driver was not at the seat, police said. nnnn