KATHMANDU, Oct 27: The Maoists have announced second phase of protests demanding the restoration of “civilian supremacy”, even as attempts are being made to reach consensus on their demand. [break]
A meeting of the Maoists´ United National people´s Movement, Nepal, led by party vice chair Dr Baburam Bhattarai, took a decision to this effect on Tuesday. But the programs will come into effect from Nov 1 -- the deadline issued by the Maoists for the ruling parties to meet their demand.
“The country is in deep crisis. We don´t believe that the deadlock will end amicably,” said Dr Bhattarai, speaking at a press meet on Tuesday. He said the party announced second phase of protest programs as the government had paid no attention to their demands even after their five-month long first phase of protests ended before the Tihar festival.
The Maoists are scheduled to hold torch rallies, picket the government offices, and declare autonomous provinces during the protest. The Maoists have stated that they would put an embargo on Kathmandu Valley and encircle the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on November 10. Similarly, the party has stated that it would picket Singha Durbar, the government secretariat on 12 and 13 of November, bringing all official works to a halt.
The Maoists´ first phase of protest included showing of black flags to the president, prime minister and other ministers and obstructing the parliamentary proceedings. Dr Bhattarai said the party will launch civil disobedience movement and general strikes, in the third phase.
Maoists to declare autonomous provinces
The Maoists have decided to declare autonomous provinces on their own, even as the topic is under discussion in the Constituent Assembly (CA). Maoists claim that they have decided to declare federal provinces as part of their protests to restore “civilian supremacy”. Dr Bhattarai said that the decision to announce federal provinces was a pressure tactic to turn the country into a federal republic. “Though there is an agreement to federalize the country, conspiracy is being hatched against it,” he said. Dr Bhattarai, however, said that declaration of federal provinces doesn´t mean forming a parallel government.
Bhattarai refutes media reports
Dr Bhattarai also refuted media reports that the Maoists are for quitting their demand for civilian supremacy if they are allowed to lead the government. “Where have we said we are for quitting our demand concerning the civilian supremacy in favor of leading the government? Journalists have been spreading rumors,” he claimed.
According to him, restoration of “civilian supremacy” is the primary goal of the party, while leading the government remains a secondary one. But he added that the Maoists should lead the government for the sake of writing a new constitution and bringing the peace process to its logical end. “The world is in the know that the peace process cannot move forward without Maoists,” he said.
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