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Maoists obstruct programmes of rival parties; leaders denounce forceful activities

The Maoists have obstructed the election rallies of rival political parties in various parts of the country.

In Dolakha, cadres of the Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) attacked CPN-UML election campaigners at Chyama VDC Wednesday afternoon. Reports said a dozen people including UML’s election candidate Pashupati Chauagain were injured in the clash that started after the YCL attack.

Maoist district in-charge Himal, however, claimed that UML cadres attacked the Maoist cadres first.

Meanwhile, the YCL cadres have announced a ‘ban’ on the movement of rival parties in Gumi VDC, Surkhet district.

The YCL men have been patrolling in the area every evening, threatening locals of “dire consequence” if they did not give vote to Maoists. Locals said that if Maoists found people moving outside of their home they apprehend them and release them only the next day.

Reports from other districts of mid-western region said Maoist combatants cantoned at various cantonment sites have started deserting their camps to involve in the election publicity of the party. The Maoists are said to have been mobilising at least 50 combatants in each district for this purpose.

Meanwhile, speaking at a public hearing jointly organised by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Banke chapter and INSEC in Nepalgunj on Wednesday, leaders of various political parties criticised the Maoists for continuing forceful activities ahead of the constituent assembly polls.

Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala said the Maoists are trying to create terror among the voters, adding that no force can stop the historic election from taking place.

Koirala also said the Nepal Army could be mobilised to maintain security if the situation worsens before the CA poll and urged Maoist leadership to immediately direct its cadres from engaging in forceful activities.

Refuting allegations that he had directed security chiefs to campaign in his favour in the election, the Congress leader expressed commitment to abide by the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission.

Speaking at the same programme, UML stalwart Bamdev Gautam said the Maoists are more responsible for the volatile state of the country in last 12 years following the restoration of democracy in 1990. Gautam, who is contesting the election from Bardiya-1, complained that the Maoists were distributing pamphlets to defame him.

Another speaker at the programme, Maoist leader Surya Singh, claimed that they were not involved in disruptive activities.

INSEC chairperson Subodh Raj Pyakurel said the Maoists are seen as the number one violators of election code of conduct.

He informed that the statistics maintained by INSEC shows 97 percent violation of code of conduct from the Maoist side.

“National and international observers will compel the EC for re-polling if the poll was not held in a free and fair manner,” he said. nepalnews.com Mar 26 08