Martin urges parties to act to end violence
Head of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Ian Martin, has urged the political parties to play an active role in combating violence like that of in Rautahat’s Gaur on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference organised in the capital on Thursday, Martin said the confrontation in Gaur could, and should have been, avoided. He said the parties should not leave it solely to the security forces to ward off such tragedies. The perpetrators, Martin said, should be identified and brought to justice.
Asked about the verification of Maoist combatants and their arms, the UN representative revealed that there were significant numbers of minors in the cantonments while some of the combatants were found to have been recruited after May 27, 2006.
Mentioning that the Maoist leadership’s attention had been drawn about it, Martin said the minors would be separated from the rest of the combatants and taken care of by the UNICEF.
He also informed that the UNMIN would have 700 international staff in all categories, including 186 arms monitors, 258 UN volunteers and slightly fewer than 400 national staff. US$ 88 million has been approved for the UNMIN.
The UNMIN chief also urged the government and the Maoist to reach an agreement regarding the arrangements for the personal security of Maoist leaders.
"It was always well known that socket bombs and other improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were a major weapon of the Maoists, but it was never intended that they should be registered and held with other weapons. For reasons of safety, it was agreed that they should be stored at a safe distance outside each main cantonment site," he added.
Martin also expressed doubt if Maoists had presented all their weapons for registration and mentioned that the UNMIN had told the deputy commanders of the Maoist army that weapons detected after the verification would be declared illegal.
On monitoring of forthcoming constituent assembly polls, Martin said, "In fulfillment of our mandate to provide technical assistance to the national electoral authorities, we have been working closely with the Election Commission, which has been striving to be ready to organize and conduct the election under very difficult circumstances. The complex political context has significantly delayed the process of timely decision-making that was needed to meet what was from the outset an ambitious electoral timeline."
“It is clear that much important work has yet to be done, including building consensus around an electoral system acceptable not only to political parties but also to traditionally excluded social groups.”
In another context, Martin said he was dismayed by abductions and beatings of businessmen and others in Kathmandu and elsewhere and called for legal action against the culprits. nepalnews.com ia Mar 22 07
Related News
-
Prachanda asks govt to outlaw MFJ; PLA men come out of camp
- Curfew also in Kalaiya, Gaur remains tense
