Prachanda to push for republican set-up

To propose seven political parties to declare it in House

Nepalgunj, February 27:

Maoist chairman Prachanda today said he will propose the seven political parties to declare the country a republic.

Addressing a mass meting here, Prachanda said: “Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and Maoists constitute two-third majority in the parliament. They can approve the proposal to declare a republic.”

“Although the interim constitution has made the king powerless, he is still occupying the Narayanhity Royal Palace,” he said, adding that nothing has been done to nationalise the late king Birendra’s property worth Rs 72 billion.

For this, millions of Nepalis will have to gherao the royal palace, he added.

He said that the ongoing Tarai unrest was spreading communal violence in the country. He also accused the CPN (UML) and the Nepali Congress of remaining mere spectators of the happenings in the Tarai and said the move was aimed at defeating the Maoists.

He, however, claimed that such moves would not affect his party. He also alleged that some people in the Tarai region are colluding with feudalists to disintegrate the country in the name of Madhesis. “Maoist leaders will not own plots of land and build houses until people become prosperous,” Prachanda said.

He said Nepal can change itself by utilising the abundant natural resources and be a developed country in 10-20 years. Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai said his party should be allowed to lead the country if the dream to make a new Nepal is to be realised.

There is no alternative to making the country a federal republic, he said. He also said that the monarchy would create trouble again and again until it is abolished completely.

Another Maoist leader Matrika Yadav alleged that different forums and morchas are conspiring to save the monarchy.

Vice-chairperson of All Nepal Women’s Organisation (R) Dama Sharma said the palace is struggling to disrupt the peace process.

Meanwhile, there was a heavy security arrangement in Nepalgunj today.

Altogether 444 civil policemen and a large number of Armed Police personnel were deployed in the area for security, DSP at Banke district police office, Pramod Kharel said. Also some 250 armed Maoist troops could be seen in the town. “PLA personnel were deployed for the security as per the agreement of eight parties,” Maoist Banke district secretary, Chandrakanta said.

1 killed as Maoists, MJF men clash

NEPALGUNJ: One person was killed in clashes between cadres of the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum and Maoists in Banke on Tuesday. At least 30 others were injured in the clashes that took place at at Udayapur’s Loniyagaun and Puraina’s Birta when the Maoists, who were in the villages gathering people to make them attend their mass meeting in Nepalgunj, were met by MJF cadres picketing during the strike called by them. DSP Pramod Kharel said Khodahawa Kori, 19, a MJF cadre died. — HNS