Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Prachanda, has dismissed government’s claim that the CPN Maoist guerrillas are planning to infiltrate Friday’s mass meeting being organized by the seven party opposition alliance.

Maoist chairman Prachanda (File Photo)
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Maoist chairman Prachanda has expressed commitment that his party will not indulge in activities including use of force, infiltration or any other provocative activities during Friday’s mass meet organized by the seven party opposition alliance. He has, however, reiterated his party’s full support to the peaceful protest programmes being launched by the alliance– in line with the 12-point understanding between his party and the seven opposition parties.

The Maoist supremo has also termed the government’s ban on all type of meetings and rallies in the capital as “defeated mentality” of the government.

Home Minister Kamal Thapa

Home Minister Kamal Thapa (File Photo)
Prachanda’s statement has come hours after Home Minister Kamal Thapa claimed that the government had credible evidence that the Maoists were going to `infiltrate’ on Friday’s mass meeting being organized by the seven party opposition alliance. Minister Thapa, however, told BBC Nepali Service on Tuesday that it was a temporary arrangement and restrictions would be lifted in the run up to the municipal polls slated on February 8.

On Tuesday, head of the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR), Ian Martin, regretted the government’s decision to impose ban on peaceful assembly in Kathmandu and also sought clarification from the government in this regard.

The authorities are yet to respond to the OHCHR.

The opposition parties have said they will organise peaceful protests and rallies on Friday as per the schedule by defying the government’s prohibitive orders.