Prachanda hints at split in SPA

A day after Nepali Congress decided to stand by its decision against implementing the proposals passed by the special session of the interim parliament, Maoist chairman has hinted at further polarisation in the political circle.

Speaking at a programme organised by Maoist affiliated Revolutionary Journalists Association (RJA) in Ghorahi of Dang on Wednesday morning, Prachanda said the reluctance of the government to implement the decision would change the political scenario of the country leading to further polarisation. He blamed Nepali Congress of not being serious towards the peace process.

He reiterated his party's position that constituent assembly elections is of lesser priority over announcing republic. "Holding constituent assembly elections is impossible without announcing republic first," he said.

In response to the questions raised by journalists regarding the murder of journalist Birendra Shah, Prachanda said cadres of the Young Communist League (YCL) have been mobilised to search the absconding party cadres involved in the murder. He said the party will punish the accused persons.

(Isnt it funny, YCL lai control pani garna nasakne and YCL kai kaandh ma banduk rakhera marda ko choro vanthancha aafulai yaar??)

On Tuesday, Nepali Congress had indicated that it stands by its stance against implementing the House decision while Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai had threatened the end of seven party alliance if the proposals are not implemented. nepalnews.com ia Nov 14 07

Govt to provide Rs 1 million to Birendra Shah’s family; slain civil servant declared a martyr

The government has decided to provide Rs 1 million, as relief assistance, to the family of journalist Birendra Shah, who was murdered in Bara by Maoist cadres after abduction.

A cabinet meeting held at the PMO Wednesday afternoon took the decision to this effect.

The government announcement came after relentless pressure from various media groups including the Federation of Nepalese Journalists and Press Chautari Nepal.

The dead body of Shah, who was murdered on the day of his abduction five weeks earlier, was recovered on November 8.

In another decision, the cabinet meeting decided to intensify search for journalist Prakash Thakuri of Kanchanpur, whose whereabouts remain unknown since his abduction four months ago. The cabinet also approved Rs 2 lakh relief aid to Thakuri’s family.

Family members have been claming that Prakash was kidnapped by Maoist cadres, but the Maoist party has denied the involvement of its cadres in the kidnapping.

(Afnai party ko mache lai control garna sakdaina.. ani kasari patyaune testa ko kura. Ani boli thegan bha manche bhaye po patyaune..  Moriarty ta ajhai Prachande le us ambassador Gyanadra le dhwastha parne sadayantra ko proof delaa bhanera parkhi ra cha)

Meanwhile, today’s cabinet meeting declared Prabhu Narayan Shah, an official with Saptari District Development Committee who was murdered by unidentified gang three weeks earlier, as a martyr.

After Yadav's murder, civil servants based in Saptari had resigned in masse citing security threats, but had withdrawn the resignations after the Home Ministry assured to take measures to ensure their security. The civil servants had also demanded that the state declare Yadav a martyr. nepalnews.com mk Nov 14 07