Amid heavy criticism from within the country and abroad towards their exercise of the “parallel government,” chairman of CPN (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda has said he has directed his party’s district units not to operate “people’s courts” in the capital and urban centers for the time being and raise donations on “voluntary” basis only.
Chairman of CPN (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda (File photo)
In a statement issued on Monday, the Maoist supremo said his party had taken the decision “keeping in view of the gravity of the situation and also to facilitate the on-going peace negotiations and the process towards peace and forward movement.”
The Maoist chairman further also directed the party’s district units to raise donations only “voluntarily” and not to open up any new “customs channel.”
The latest statement by the CPN (Maoist) came after senior officials warned of action against the rebel outfit if they continued extortion and trying civilians in their “people’s courts.” Addressing the House of Representatives on Sunday, Home Minister Krishna Sitaula had alleged that the rebels were continuing extortion and abduction of civilians in clear violation of the code of conduct signed by the government and the rebels last month.
In his statement, the Maoist chairman accused that US ambassador to Nepal, James F. Moriarty, and pro-palace elements were exaggerating the “compulsion” of his party to raise donations “voluntarily’ in order to support the Maoist army and conduct day to day activities until an interim constitution and interim government was formed. “People’s governments will also continue to operate until then,” he added.
Prachanda has also appealed the seven political parties, members of civil society, intelligentsia and international community to help implement the eight-point agreement between his party and the ruling Seven Party Alliance (SPA).
The agreement, signed in Kathmandu last month, calls for requesting the UN to help and monitor in the management of armed personnel and weapons of both the sides, among others.