Maoist compelled to collect donation: Bhattrai Kathmandu , 15 August: Maoist leader Baburam Bhattrai has stated that the Maoist is compelled to collect donations from the public as the government did not declare budget for the Maoist army, writes Deshantar weekly. Speaking at the fortieth general meeting of Nepal Industrial and Commercial Organization, Bhattrai said it. However, FNCCI President Chandiraj Dhakal showed his disappointment towards Bhattrai’s remark as it would affect the peace process. People’s News/KDB Maoists present new demand for end to monarchy before constituent assembly elections Kathmandu, 14 Aug: Political uncertainty has been created after Maoists presented a new demand for the uproot of monarchy or its suspension through a declaration, Tarun reports. Maoists are making one demand after another against the spirit of an understanding and agreement creating a political crisis. There are indications the situation will hit a roadblock. The end of monarchy is not mentioned in the 12-point understanding. People's News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appointments in security sector not supreme court's responsibility By Yam Birahi in Rajdhani Kathmandu, 13 Aug: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has claimed appointment of the army chief and allocation of departmental responsibilities is not the within the sectoral responsibility of the courts. He send a written reply to the supreme court Sunday in reply to a writ petition presented at the apex court demanding the dismissal of Chief of the Army Staff Gen Pyar Jung Thapa and chief of three other security agencies. Koirala said appointments and departmental action are taken by the Nepal Government. People's News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CPN Nepal holds secret meeting Kathmandu, 13 Aug: A secret meeting of the CPN (Unity Center-Mashal) is being conducted for the last three days near the capital, Annapurna Post reports. The meeting that began Friday in a 'national meet'. Source said the meeting is being held to declare Narayan Kazi Shrestha (Prakash) general secretary by ousting Mohan Bikram Singh. According to sources, the action is being taken against Singh and eight others for forming a 'coordination center'. Chitra Bahadur KC and Dilaram Acharya, are members of parliament on behalf of Janamorcha. Action is also being taken against them; they are among the eight. People's News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lt Gen Rukmagat Kutwal appointed acting army chief Kathmandu, 14 Aug: Lt Gen Rukmagat Katwal has been appointed Acting Chief of the Army Staff. A cabinet meeting Monday make the appointment. People's News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Task force formed Kathmandu, 14 Aug: Government has formed a 14-member task force to recommend a new national anthem. The force is headed by literature Satya Mohan Joshi. People's News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prachanda meets Indian central government officials in West Bengal By Bhola B Rana Kathmandu, 14 Aug: Maoist Chairman Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai met and held serious discussions with officials of the Indian central government 11,12 August in Siligudi, West Bengal it is learnt, Sanghu reports. Close sources said discussions centered on the Indian perception of the developing situation in Nepal and its future role. India, which played a positive role in the 12-point agreement between the seven party alliance and Maoists. Maoists were suspicious of India after New Delhi played a negative attitude after the eight-point agreement. Indian and US perceptions have lately converged on Nepal. Maoists not only requested but also alerted Indian officials not to kowtow with Americans to disturb the peace process, sources said. In Maoists are treated under the US umbrella, Indian will have to bear negative consequences, Maoists told Indian officials. Indian reaction was not available. But a meeting between Prachanda, Bhattarai and jailed Maoist leader Mohan Baidya was not permitted; this is an indication India was not positive, analysts say. After the Siligiri meeting, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at a meeting of the NC parliamentary party meeting spoke for a ceremonial King and against the dissolution of parliament. Political analysts say this is another indication the Siligiri meeting was not positive. People's News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maoists present new demand for end to monarchy before constituent assembly elections Kathmandu, 14 Aug: Political uncertainty has been created after Maoists presented a new demand for the uproot of monarchy or its suspension through a declaration, Tarun reports. Maoists are making one demand after another against the spirit of an understanding and agreement creating a political crisis. There are indications the situation will hit a roadblock. The end of monarchy is not mentioned in the 12-point understanding. People's News/BR