Rautahat, May 31

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal today urged the UCPN-Maoist to join the coalition government and help take the peace process to a logical conclusion.

Addressing a civic felicitation programme organised in his honour here today, Nepal said the task of writing the new statute and taking the peace process to a logical end would be easier if all parties remained united. “The government has the responsibility of meeting people’s aspiration for peace and development. We also have the responsibility of rehabilitating the PLA combatant,” the PM said, adding that he has been urging the former rebels to join the government and work as per the people’s aspiration.

Nepal also said the cabinet would get final shape within a few days. He, however, slammed the UCPN-Maoist for unnecessarily raising the issue of baby king. “The government will resolve the army chief issue after consulting with all the parties,” he assured. The PM also said that he had the capacity to bring about changes in the country and had the support of international communities. About two dozen organisations, including the Juddha Secondary School and Rautahat Chamber of Commerce and Industries, felicitated Nepal during the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the police arrested two Young Communist League (YCL) cadres — Raj Kumar Singh and Kamal Pahari — for showing black fags to the PM in Chandranigahpur. Later the UML cadres thrashed the duo. The UCPN-M cadres had also showed black flags to Nepal at district headquarters Gaur.

In another incident, Armed Police Force DIG Shailendra Shrestha was injured when a corrugated tin blown away by the PM’s chopper hit him. Shrestha is undergoing treatment at a local health post.