CPN-UML chief demands phase-wise elections; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 March : As election heats up with increasing incidences of violence, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal Friday called rescheduling of the 10 April one-day poll demanding phase-wise polls.
Nepal made the call while talking to reporters at a Kathmandu hospital where he visited party workers injured in clashes with Maoists during electioneering.
Nepal said he will discuss change in election schedule with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
Killings and clashes have become daily occurrences.
Bodies of a couple, apparently killed by extortionists, were discovered in Itahari Friday when police broke into their home at the request of children studying in India.
Criminal gangs have become hyper active without police presence especially in the south bordering India; groups demanding separation control large chunks of territory where police don’t venture.
CPN-UML charged Maoists for continuing to disturpt their public meetings in Dolakha, Kavre and Sindhupalchowk..
One dozen persons were injured when Congress and
CPN-UML disturbed their public meeting in Bhajang Friday, Maoists said.
Dr Baburam Bhattarai was addressing the meeting.
Maoists also complained Congress and CPN-UML Friday disturbed their meeting in Bhajang addressed by second party leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai.
Concerned with the escalating violence, government Friday made yet another effort to invite separatist armed tarai groups to join talks be dispatching formal letters.
Peace Minister Ram Chandra Paudel invited them for talks.
But Paudel said invitations hadn’t been sent to the most violent Goit and Jwala Singh groups of JTMM who are demanding UN mediation.
They operate from across the open 1,700 km Indo-Nepal border which will be closed for three days for the vote.
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