Alliance partners raise objection on Maoist decision to use PLA for PM's security

Following the decision of the Maoists to use its People's Liberation Army (PLA) members also for the security of Prime Minister and Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' his alliance partners – Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) – have raised strong objections.

"The security of the PM has to be provided by legitimate organizations of the state. This is what we believe in," said UML leader Bhim Rawal.

Likewise, MJF coordinator Upendra Yadav also advised Maoists to seek security from Nepali Army (NA) and police.

"The job of providing security to the PM rests on NA, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF). Nowhere is there a tradition of taking security from party's army," said Yadav.

Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat also deplored the Maoist decision. "This is a serious mistake," he said. nepalnews.com sd Aug 18 08