Arms management first: Koirala

Biratnagar, October 3:

Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala has reiterated his viewpoint not to further peace process ahead without first dealing with the issue of management of the arms.

Addressing a gathering of NC workers at the Koirala residence here today, the PM said Maoists’ arms should be managed before an election to a constituent assembly for independent polls.

The arms of the Maoists should be stored at four to five locations and the United Nations should monitor it, PM Koirala said adding that the people’s army should be separated from their arms and ammunition. The government will support the Maoists if they submit their arms, he said.

Stating that the summit talks with the Maoists would be held soon and the problem resolved through the medium of dialogue, Prime Minister Koirala said support of all is necessary towards this end.

Pointing out the need for all to act according to democratic norms and international standards, Koirala also emphasised on the need for the Maoists to immediately halt activities like abduction, extortion and running of the people’s courts.

PM Koirala said: “Parliament is our weapon; it should not be dissolved immediately.”

In response to queries raised by the cadres, Koirala said he was of the view that the issue of the monarch should be decided by the constituent assembly.

Meanwhile, in a message on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami yesterday, PM Koirala stressed the need for unity and reconciliation for the welfare and greater interest of the Nepali people. Koirala said: “We should all contribute, as per our capacity, to the historical change that has come in the country this year through unity and reconciliation and for the welfare and greater interest of the Nepali people.”

He said the country could be transformed into a peaceful and prosperous nation if only we could become successful in fulfilling the responsibility of building a new and prosperous Nepal by solving the severe problems of poverty, unemployment, hunger, disease, illiteracy and scarcity. Koirala urged everyone to respect the aspiration of the Nepalis to see establishment of permanent peace in the country.

Meanwhile, leaders of various political parties greeted the Nepalis living here and abroad on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami through separate messages issued yesterday.

CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said there should be understanding among all Nepali people to resolve every crisis arising in the country.

Nepali Congress (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba expressed the confidence that the major political parties, civil society and all responsible would play responsible role in resolving challenges the country is facing at present.

Deuba said the country needs to accomplish important tasks such as arms management, establishment of lasting peace, conduction of a free and fair election to a constituent assembly.

Rastriya Janashakti Party supremo Surya Bahadur Thapa wished that the Goddess Durga Bhawani may inspire all to remain sincere and committed towards the nation, people and democracy.

President of the United Left Front Prabhu Narayan Chaudhari stated that the celebration of cultural traditions like Bijaya Dashami would make sense only if the election to the constituent assembly could be conducted successfully as per the mandate given by the people during Jana Andolan II.

General secretary of the CPN (United Marxist) Bishnu Bahadur Manandhar, in his message, urged all Nepal people to utilise cultural festivities to further consolidate existing mutual sociability, unity and brotherhood among entire Nepali population to bring radical changes and lasting peace in the country.