Pun claimed that the allegation was a “planned conspiracy” engineered by India to push the Maoists out of the ongoing peace process and prepare grounds for “military intervention” in Nepal by declaring the Maoists ´terrorists´. [break]
Speaking at an interaction organized by Reporters´ Club, Pun alleged that the NA Headquarters at the directives of the prime minister had directed its Eastern Regional Headquarters to prepare such a report some six months ago. He said that the same report was sent to New Delhi at the behest of Indian envoy in Nepal later.
Pun demanded that India officially substantiate the allegation. “We are ready to face any kind of action if the allegations are proven true,” he added. “Nepal government should also immediately conduct an investigation and make its position clear about it at the earliest.”
Pun added that though the issue was supposed to be brought out before the Constituent Assembly (CA) term extension on May 28, it came only later. “This issue has been brought out at the special initiative of Indian envoy Rakesh Sood,” he further claimed.
Prime Minister´s Principal Advisor Raghuji Panta termed the Maoists´ allegation “baseless”. “There is no reason why the prime minister would have issued such a directive,” said Panta. “This is baseless argument. This could be an attempt of the Maoists to divert attention of the public to hide the charge they face.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala said that she would seriously raise the issue of India´s allegation against the Maoists in the next cabinet meeting.
Talking to media persons at her office, Minister Koirala said that she would also talk to Home Minister Bhim Rawal and Home Secretary Govind Prasad Kusum about the issue on Thursday.
“This is highly sensitive issue. Government will investigate into it,” she said.
Minister Koirala disclosed that she talked to Prime Minister Nepal and top leaders of all major parties soon after she was informed about the issue by Indian Ambassador Sood.
Sood had sent a ´non-paper´ to the Foreign Ministry in October, claiming that Nepali Maoists had been providing training to Indian Maoists at various places including Sarlahi, Butwal and Sindhuli.
The ´non-paper´ had categorically stated that Nepali Maoists provided training to Indian Maoists in Butawal (May 26 to June 27, 2010), Sarlahi (June 26, 2010) and in Harikhola Sindhuli (11 July to 16 July, 2010). The government is yet to reply to the Indian concern that many foreign experts say may jeopardize Nepal-India relations.
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