KATHMANDU: The central committee meeting of the main opposition Nepali Congress on Tuesday decided to launch fresh protests to press the UCPN-Maoist against their series of 'autocratic and undemocratic' moves.

"The UCPN-M has been attacking the national army, police, judiciary, bureaucracy, media, educational and religious institutions and workers of other parties in a planned way. Its intention is to derail the peace process and the statute-drafting process," concluded the CC meet organised at the party's headquarters in Sanepa.

Party president Girija Prasad Koirala and senior leaders Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ram Chandra Paudel, however, were not present during the meeting.

"The protest programmes will be made public after holding consultations with the party's sister organisations and other political parties," said Arjun Narsingh KC, joint general secretary and spokesperson, NC.

The NC also decided not to join the Maoist-led government, as the coalition leader UCPN-M has been trying to establish autocratic and military thought in all sectors of the state. "The clarification sought from Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal with the intention of removing him from the post is the latest move in this direction," the NC stated.

The party concluded that the UCPN-M had been continuously violating the past agreements, ignoring the peace process, breaking the politics of consensus and was not showing willingness to manage its combatants. The NC said it would also continue its protest at the House meetings.

During the meeting, central members Govinda Raj Joshi and Khum Bahadur Khadka urged the party to start massive protest against the Maoists. However, other leaders urged the party leadership to set protest programmes only after consulting party's sister organisations and other parties.

Speaking on the occasion, Narahari Acharya drew the attention of party leadership to make clear its stance on the CoAS issue. "Principally the NC can't oppose the government's move of seeking clarification. The NC also need not blow up the CoAS issue," he said. He also criticised the party leadership for violating established principles by sending party president's representative in the meeting of Constitutional Council instead of the parliamentary party leader. Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel had represented Koirala in the meeting of Constitutional Council.