Backing Out? Maoists’ Conspiracy Theory
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www.newsfront.com.np Kathmandu l 31 Mar-6 Apr, 2008 l # 60 l Price Rs. 25 Backing out? Maoists’ conspiracy theory ä Yubaraj Ghimire Prachanda’s withdrawal from the election campaign becomes all the more mysterious In what appears like a prelude to withdrawal as he along with his deputy, Baburam from the election yet another time, the Commu- Bhattarai, have been stating that any defeat nist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M) has in the poll will not be acceptable for the party, decided not to send its chief Prachanda to and in that case, the CPN-M’s next move campaign anywhere in the country as the crucial would be to capture the ‘power’ at any cost. poll to the constituent assembly is less than two Prachanda has claimed time and again that weeks away. there is a wave of support for the Maoists across the country, and there is a conspiracy Prachanda cancelled his scheduled visit to by the external forces, mainly the United Chitwan and Butwal on States, to defeat the March 29, and all other Maoists. The party also future campaign Despite Maoists’ claims that its top leaders programmes. The party assertion that may be the target of sources cited lack of ‘assassination attempt by Niraj Sapkota security as the sole they would not the external and internal Two girls with UML election symbol (rising sun) painted on their faces in an election rally reason for this. “Security back out of the forces.’ in Kathmandu on March 29. situation is not good and we do not want him to poll at any cost, “Arms are being risk his life,” a Maoist withdrawal of imported on the eve of leader from Chitwan said. elections. The Congress The abrupt withdrawal their ‘first future and the UML are being from the election President’ and the backed by the international campaign for the forces. We are fully alert remaining period followed star campaigner is about the emerging the claims by top Maoist not without sig- scenario,” said Baidya, leaders that there were adding, “We have grave threats on their lives. nificance. doubts if meaningful elections can take place Despite Maoists’ assertion that they would under these circumstances.” not back out of the poll at any cost, with- drawal of their ‘first future President’ and the The Maoists apparently are moving star campaigner is not without significance. cautiously this time, as an abrupt withdrawal “All that we can say at the moment is we have from the electoral race at this stage will mean serious doubts about meaningful election ‘admission of defeat,’ and their failing the taking place,” Mohan Baidya, a senior international community as well. However, member of the party’s central committee told launching the movement to capture power newsfront. He refused to say categorically after ‘defeat’ or finding an excuse to back out that Maoists will contest the poll. “That is now are the issues that Maoist senior leaders something we want to do, but everything will will have to settle within less than a week’s depend on how the situation emerges,” time. ä he said. Beth Paige questions, Are you the woman you want your daughter to be? Interview on page 7 New outlet in Lainchour also Ph:- Shop 5011685, Factory: 5555459 2 31 March- 6 April, 2008 News Two killed in mosque explosion News Brief In an act of sacrilege, unidentified independent verification. incident, but they were investigating assembly poll from the district. criminals threw a powerful bomb The administration imposed into it based on first hand account Denial inside a mosque that instantly killed curfew immediately after the of the victims and some witnesses. The government has denied people and wounded about a dozen explosion, but was lifted after nine According to the information the media reports that Chinese Large others on March 29 at Sauruchiya in hours in the morning of March 30. gathered by the police, at least two security authorities are active Biratnagar. The attack, apparently PM GP Koirala who headed back to criminals had come on a motor- inside the Nepal border in view of hearted aimed at sabotaging the April 10 the capital appealed to the general cycle, and one of them threw the unrest in Tibet. The denial of election, took place when Prime people, especially the Muslims, to bombs targeting the mosque from the Foreign Ministry has come as UNICEF Minister GP Koirala was at his home exercise maximum restraint and outside its compound in the evening the Indian and western media In a rare or rather exceptional town to instruct security chiefs of the make the poll a success. when more than four dozen people have carried news to the effect region to ensure that elections took However, there were worrying were offering ‘Namaj’ inside. gesture, the United Nations office that the Peoples Liberation Army place at any cost. signs among the security agencies Apparently, only one bomb went off. in Kathmandu, dropped ten (PLA) have crossed over to Nepal At least two people, Feroze Khan as it happened soon after Koirala Ian Martin, Chief of the Untied Tibetan protestors to their homes side of the border and is keeping and Parwez Iraqi Ansari, both local instructed eastern region security Nations Mission to Nepal (UNMIN) in the UN vehicles, normally residents, died on the way to the chiefs belonging to the Army, condemned the incident which he a watch on the activities. “The restricted for use by the UN hospital while the wounded have Armed Police Force, Nepal Police said was a deliberate targeting of a news are completely false, employees. been admitted to the hospital for and the Intelligence Department to place of religion. “Forces tempted to baseless and aimed at maligning The protestors had trespassed treatment. The Nepal Defense ensure that no untoward incident try to disrupt the election should Nepal’s image,” the ministry said. into the UN office premises in Army (NDA) has owned responsi- should take place. The Prime recognise the backlash this would The Chinese authorities had Pulchowk on March 27 to protest bility for the incident. RP Mainali, a Minister categorically told them that provoke, and should respect the approached the government against what they called ‘repres- self styled supreme commander of he would not want to hear any overwhelming desire of the people of earlier suggesting that no ‘Free sion’ of the Tibetans by the the NDA issued a statement soon negative thing on the poll prepara- Nepal, supported by the international Tibet’ and anti-Chinese activities Chinese authorities. The UN after the explosion claiming tion, silencing the officials. community, to see the election as the should be allowed from Nepali office asked the Nepali police not responsibility for the mosque attack. Police said no arrest has been democratic basis for determining the territory. Shital Niwas sources said to detain those who trespassed, However, there has been no made within the first 20 hours of the future of the nation,” he said. ä that it is Nepal policy not to let ‘our and chose to drop them home territory’ used against any of our and give them a free meal. neighbours and that, “China is convinced of our intentions.” Talks with Terai groups a non-starter Appointed It all failed as they wanted a party ruling alliance stood dissolved. accorded to the Maoists while holding Giving Kush treatment at par with the Communist Deputy Prime Minister, Ram negotiation with them. All the Maoist Kumar Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M). The Chandra Poudel who headed the cadres had been released without back arms Joshi has group of four armed outfits of Terai government negotiation team said withdrawing the cases. been wanted all their cadres under detention that while the government was still The four Terai outfits had accepted Maoists have returned three ap- released before the talks began on open for dialogue, it would enforce a written invitation from the govern- weapons to the Police in Rukum pointed schedule on March 29 in Janakpur. the law and order hinting that the four ment to begin the dialogue, but they a week after they snatched it Presi- But as the government refused to groups might come under govern- set March 28 as deadline for en masse from the security personnel. dent of concede to that pre-condition, the ment attack if they tried to foil the poll. release of their arrested activists. The Maoist district-in-charge Purna the negotiation was called off. A joint He said the government was ready deadline was extended by a day later, Gharti handed over three set of Federa- statement issued by Terai Cobra, for the release of the cadres of the but the government insisted that they revolvers and 38 rounds of tion of Nepal Chamber of Madhes Mukti Tigers, Janatantrik Terai four groups, and had asked for details must furnish details of their activists’ bullets to the district police Commerce and Industries Mukti Morcha and United Janatantrik of their whereabouts. “Naturally, it whereabouts. The Deputy Prime office-in-charge of media and (FNCCI). In an election held for Terai Mukti Morcha said as the takes some time for the government Minister had already air dashed to human rights representatives. a- two-year tenure on March 27, government failed to fulfill their pre- to complete legal and other formalities Janakpur along with the entire All these weapons had been Joshi secured 1468 votes, 120 condition, they were calling off the for their release,” Poudel said. negotiation team of the government. snatched from the security more than his rival Chandra peace initiative.