Says government, Maoist letter to UN against agreement

Kathmandu, July 31:

The 24-member National Monitoring Committee on Code of Conduct for Ceasefire (NMCC) today made public its first “observation” report on the 25-point ceasefire code of conduct signed between the government and the Maoists on May 18.

The report was submitted to the government and the Maoist talks teams on July 28. The NMCC concluded that the separate letters written by the government and the Maoists to the United Nations seeking its help in the management of arms was against the spirit of the 12-point understanding and clause 3 of the code of conduct.

It said the government also violated the agreement by unilaterally writing the letter to the United Nations. The NMCC also said that a resolution passed by the Nepali Congress parliamentary party and statements of Speaker Subas Nambang and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister KP Oli that the House cannot be dissolved till an election to a constituent assembly, and Maoist leaders Matrika Yadav’s and Agni Sapkota’s threats to pull out of the peace talks if the House remains in place, are all violations of the agreements reached between the two sides.

The report has pointed out that some of the industries have not resumed full operation due to pressure from the trade unions of the Maoists and other political parties. It also said that the Nepali Army was found to have used schools as barracks and security camps and that they have not withdrawn their camps from educational institutions.

Some private property and houses were also found to be still used by the army. People living near barracks and security camps have also not been able to till their land, it said. Leaders of the seven-party alliance and the Maoists were also found to have made provocative statements affecting the peace process. Both the sides try to influence the media, the report said.

Point-15 of the code of conduct has prohibited forcible collection of donation. However, the NMCC has received complaints, individually and through the media, that donation is being collected forcibly. The report also alleged that both the sides did not show willingness to withdraw charges and cases against persons and make public the status of the disappeared even though the code says that such problems would be addressed.

It said local Maoist cadres were found to be reluctant in returning individual property they had seized and were not prepared to create an environment for the displaced to return home.

The report has, however, found positive development in some areas. It found that the Maoists, the seven-party alliance, the local administration and security agencies were working together to control crimes, carry out rescue operations during natural calamities and cooperating with projects executed by the users’ groups.

NMCC coordinator Dr Birendra P Mishra said they would come up with particular cases of the violation of the code in the next report after the seven teams currently in field observation return.