KATHMANDU, MAY 6, 2009

Caretaker Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said today the video tape that has been on air for the last couple of days was 18 months old and the issues raised in it were not relevant in the present context. “I had spoken to our cadres on a number of issues amid the uncertainty of holding the Constituent Assembly polls,” the PM, who resigned on Monday, accusing President Dr Ram Baran Yadav of taking “unconstitutional” step to reinstate the army chief Rookmangud Katawal, said at a packed press conference held at his parliamentary party office in Singhadurbar. He said they would launch an internal inquiry about the leaked videotape. He said the strength of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) stood around 1,00,000. “But, I was talking only about the functional force under the central command. It had a strength of around 7,000. We, in fact, had central and regional forces, besides the militia working at the local levels. They needed to be managed after we returned to the peace process,” he said. He said the videotape circulated to the media was a ploy of the reactionary elements who wanted to divert public attention from their “unconstitutional” move against the elected government. “I have given countless speeches on several occasions before the CA polls. If they are aired at present, they will appear to be meaningless and inconsistent, considering our present commitment to the peace process and drafting of new constitution,”

Prachanda said. He defended his speech made 18 months ago, saying it was given to ensure the CA polls were held on time.

Safe haven for PLA moms, kids

DHANGADHI, MAY 6, 2009

The Unified-CPN Maoist has put the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel on high alert in view of the ongoing political developments. The PLA’s Seventh Division, based in Kailali, has started to evacuate female members along with their children from the cantonment as a precautionary measure. Similarly, physically challenged members and the injured ones, too, are being relocated to safer places. According to a source, more than 100 female PLA members, who are an integral part of Lisnegam Brigade in Masuria Badaipur, have left with their children in the past three days. There are around 200 females, who have been living in the cantonment with their children. A Maoist commander confirmed the movement.

“Some have gone to their respective homes, some are staying in rented accommodation near the cantonment and the rest are putting up at their relatives’ house. We decided to send them away due to the present political situation,” he said. A PLA company commander tried to downplay the evacuation bid. “We don’t apprehend any kind of violence. This is only a precautionary measure,” he said.