India behaving like imperial master

Ever since East India Company and Nepal signed the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli,Nepal literally became a semi-colony of the British and now India. We need to annul the colonial status of Nepal, Prachanda said.

His assertion assumes significance in the context that Nepal surrendered a vast stretch of its territory to the British,which now is with India. These include parts of Uttaranchal and Kangra in Himachal Pradesh as well as parts of Darjeeling.

Prachanda added that India must also withdraw its Army from Kalapani a tri-junction of Nepal,India and Tibet as the place belongs to Nepal and India is illegally occupying it.

PTI reported that Prachanda also objected to Indian Army chief Gen Deepak Kapoors comment opposing en masse integration of politically indoctrinated former guerrillas into the Nepal Army. Who gave him Gen Kapoor the right to speak against the Comprehensive Peace Agreement? Prachanda asked amid loud cheers from his supporters. What can be more shameful and more insulting to the Nepali people?

On the domestic front,Prachanda was clear that the Maoist agitation was now unstoppable. The only way the government can stop it is if the President rectifies his mistake in reinstating army chief R Katawal,who was dismissed by Prachanda when he was the PM in May.

Earlier in the day,transportation services remained paralysed,shopping complexes and educational institutes remained closed as Maoist supporters marched in the capital shouting anti-government slogans.

The party has also decided to launch a month-long awareness programme beginning December 25 and then go for an indefinite nationwide strike to press for its demand. The bandh that concluded on Tuesday was marred by large scale violence and clashes in which at least one senor police official was critically wounded.

The government has asked the Maoists for a dialogue. But if Prachandas statements were any indication,the UCPN-M will not be considering it.