Addressing a function organized by the NC No 3 Regional Committee, some 92 kilometer away from the district headquarter, President Koirala vented ire against the Maoists for pushing to legalize conflict-era land deals through cabinet decision. [break]
“Peace process cannot move forward as long as the Maoists refuse to become honest. There is no alternative to fighting back if the commitments they have made are not translated into action. Do fight back in an organized manner,” said Koirala, speaking to party cadres.
Koirala, who reached Burtibang via chartered helicopter from Pokhara, asked the party cadres not to fear anyone as democracy has been restored in the country. Burtibang was among the highly Maoist-infested areas during the conflict.
Koirala said Maoists are to be blamed chiefly for the stalled peace process.
He said that though Nepali people wish for the conflict to end, the Maoists are trying to create further instability and insecurity in the country. He alleged that Maoists have been successful in hoodwinking both national and international community about their sincerity toward the peace process.
Koirala complained that Maoists have failed to disband paramilitary structure of their Young Communist League (YCL) despite repeated assurances from Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal. “Prachandaji is cunning enough to give lip service during negotiations,” he said, adding, “But his commitments have never been implemented in practice.”
Koirala argued that the Maoists were not committed to peace as they have not been willing to hand over their arms to the government. “The Maoists must accept democratic system of governance if they want the peace process to move forward,” he said.
Koirala said the country cannot afford as many federal states as proposed by State Restructuring Commission (SRC). “The number of federal states should be based not on ethnicity but on economic means, resources and geography,” he said. "We won´t let the country disintegrate in the name of ethnicity."
Koirala also reiterated that there won´t be a single Madhes state as demanded by various Madhes-based parties.
On the occasion, Koirala also vented ire against the government decision not to organize any formal function to mark the historic Democracy Day that marked the dawn of democracy in Nepal in 1951 after the fall of 104-year old Rana oligarchy.
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