Kathmandu, August 10:

The CPN-Maoist is currently focusing on strengthening the Kathmandu valley as a republic, allowing autonomy to the Newars. The central members of the Newar National Liberation Front (NNLF), the Newar wing of the CPN-Maoists, are active in this business. The Newar Autonomous Republic (NAR), which mainly represents the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas, is being equipped with fresh “militia” for its internal security.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, Maoist central member Hisila Yami said the party is now working on preparing a suitable size of “militia” for the state as per the party’s vision. “The militia is being strengthened to form the NAR in the near future because no state can survive without its ‘army’,” she said, making it clear that the “unarmed militia” is going to be like a state police. Protesting the misleading notion that Newars are not suitable for military, she said the Newars are going to make a strong command in the proposed NAR.

“If the late King Prithvi Narayan Shah was afraid of any army, it was the Newar army, with whom he had to fight most fiercely. It was the reason why the Shah ruler never allowed Newars in the army, she said, adding the Newars have been playing a notable role in the People’s Liberation Army.