Maoists join Nepal comrades’ call, plan stir

Already, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has planned to observe the 10th anniversary of the Great People’s War through a countrywide blockade and traffic strike. In a statement, CPN (M) chairman Prachanda has urged students, teachers and guardians to come out and make the blockade successful.

The CPI (Maoist) is bringing together people under the banner of the Nepal Janadhikar Suraksha Samiti. Interestingly, long before King Gyanendra imposed emergency in the country, the Samiti had decided to observe February 13 in a big way. Samiti member Lakshman Panth said: ‘‘The context has changed now. It has now got an additional dimension with the King having usurped all powers.’’

As expected, the Maoists here are critical of the Indian government’s attitude to their counterparts in the Himalayan kingdom. They are still suspicious of all mainstream parties, including the CPM.

And as the Maoists prepare to organise solidarity demonstrations, the trickle of Nepalese politicians into the country continues. Rajendra Mahto, general secretary of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (A), today met the media in the Capital and appealed to his ‘‘countrymen and political forces to unitedly launch a struggle against the authoritarian regime’’. He did not condemn the Maoists but hoped that they would be a part of the peaceful struggle against the tyranny of King Gyanendra.