RAUTAHAT: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal today said that the UCPN-Maoist cadres' attempt to encroach the forest land in Kailali was an act against the nation.

Speaking at an inaugural of the seventh district convention of the CPN-UML in Gaur, the PM expressed concern as the Maoist cadres also opened fire at the security personnel on duty.

Claiming that the Maoists were just eying the government, he questioned, "How can the party without majority in the parliament lead the government?'' The UCPN-Maoist has been involved in anarchic activities lately after losing confidence of people's support, he said. "It was only a day dream of the Maoists to lead the government.''

He advised the former rebels to come to the politics of consensus to for establishing peace and security in the country. He, however, said the incumbent government had no intention of leaving the Maoists. "They should come to the politics of consensus; otherwise, they will be discarded by the people.''

Stating that the government was adopting measures to save the forests, he said that it was unacceptable if anyone attempted to capture such natural resources.

Reiterating that the main focus of the government was to draft the new statue and manage the Maoists' combatant, he added, "The government is also working for the development of tourism, hydro-power, water resources, among others.''

Claiming that the cabinet meeting held at Kalapatthar -- the base camp of the Everst -- attracted the world attention over the climate change impact on the Himalayas, he said, "If not immediate measures are not taken, the global warming will put lives of billions of people of Nepal, India and Bangaladesh in peril due to the melting Himalayan glaciers.'' The PM also said that the government was busy doing homework for implementing the eight-point agreement reached with the Madhes-based parties. He also urged the Madhesi People's Rights Forum to come to consensus shunning the path of agitation.

Meanwhile, PM Nepal inaugurated a bridge constructed at Gaur-Gangapipara section of the local highway today.

All-party meet inconclusive

Dhangadhi: An all party meeting organised to thwart the tense situation after Dundejhari incident in Kailali district ended inconclusively on Sunday. According to CPN-UML leader Dipak Bohara, agreements of providing reasonable compensation to the deceased's families, treatment to the injured and forming a judicial probe committee have been made. However, the meeting was inconclusive as the Maoist did not budge from their stance and declined to withdraw their agitation.

Squatters threaten to recapture forest

DHANGADHI: The UCPN-Maoist aligned All Nepal Landless Organisation on Sunday announced that they would make a comeback at Dundejhari forest.

At a press meet in Kailali's Lamki, Naresh Shahi 'Raktim', president of the Maoists' body, said the forest that has been "soaked by the blood of landless people would be theirs" eventually. "We will manage settlements for the landless at any cost," he claimed.

Claiming that the government resorted to force in Panchayat style, Shahi denied the allegation that the first firing was from the landless people's side. "The landless people had used only domestic weapons," he claimed. He said that 5, 000 landless people would start capturing the forest area from tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Harikrishna Poudel confirmed that the Dundejhari forest area was in the control of the administration. He added that the forest had not been captured by anyone till Sunday evening. While Shahi claimed that three landless people were killed, 41 injured and 250 have gone missing. Property worth Rs 11 million had been damaged in the Friday's sanguinary clash, he added.