KATHMANDU: An unofficial meeting of the Maoist standing committee held here today devised a three-month-long vigorous campaign to create pressure for the drafting of a pro-people constitution on the stipulated time.

The meeting has concluded that the two-day training of the party organised at Kharipati was fruitful. Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai said the party had decided to organise a vigorous campaign over the next three months so as to create pressure for a timely constitution. "We are preparing an action plan for the campaign," he said, at the end of the meeting at party headquarters in Paris Danda, Koteshwor, this evening.

"Major pressure would be created from the parliament but people should also press for bringing about a change in their favour. Therefore, we have decided to deploy a large number of people." He said the meeting was called to finalise the agenda for the central committee meeting scheduled for Saturday.

When asked about the extension of the existing central committee, he said it could be done anytime later whenever necessary. Claiming that the peace process was under a threat, he said a public pressure was a must to ensure timely constitution and to lead the peace process to a logical conclusion.

According to standing committee member Leelamani Pokhrel, the party has decided to launch such a campaign across the country to exert pressure on the government and the parties to draft a pro-people constitution on time.

"We are launching programmes including trainings at the district level, strengthening the organisation, seminars, interactions and awareness campaigns on several issues, including national independence and civilian supremacy," Pokhrel said.

He also said the party would continue the standing committee meeting tomorrow morning and direct the central committee members to take up their responsibilities for an effective implementation in the afternoon.

Dr Bhattarai against halting PLA perks

KATHMANDU: Maoist vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Friday said the government would face severe consequences if it stopped the salaries of the cantoned PLA combatants. He strongly objected to the news report which stated that the government was preparing to stop the salaries of the combatants during his meeting with UNMIN chief Karin Landgren at his residence in Shantinagar on Friday morning. He clarified that such a move would be a breach of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Talking to the media in the evening, he urged the government not to play on such an issue. During the meeting, UNMIN chief had expressed concern over the PLA fighters' integration and management before promulgation of the statute. In response, Bhattarai had assured her that the peace and the statute drafting processes would go simultaneously.