Baidya faction takes out torch rally

Cadres of the Maoist hardliner faction led by vice chairman Mohan Baidya took out a torch rally in Kathmandu Wednesday evening protesting against the decision to deploy Nepal Army (NA) in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) cantonments.

The protesters chanted slogans against party establishment demanding removal of NA personnel from the PLA camps. A few protesters received minor injuries as the police intervened into their rally at New Road.

The protesters also burnt the effigies of party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai.

Baidya group had enforced one hour chakkajam (transportation strike) across the country from 10.00 am to 11.00 am today morning.

The Maoist hardliners have been saying that Tuesday's decision of the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) was a conspiracy to disarm the PLA.

The NA troops have already assumed the security of most of the 15 cantonments of the PLAs following the decision 0f AISC to bring the former Maoist combatants, their weapons and the cantonments under NA on Tuesday. nepalnews.com