Red Heretic
7th February 2006, 19:50
Nepal Army ordered to shoot those trying to disrupt polls
SHIRISH B PRADHAN, KATHMANDU, FEB 7 (PTI)
Army was today mobilised across Nepal and ordered to shoot anyone trying to disturb tomorrow’s municipal elections amidst a boycott call by political parties and the Maoist threat to disrupt the polls called by King Gyanendra pledging it to be the first step towards restoration of full-fledged democracy.
On the eve of the polls, Maoist rebels struck at two places killing eight security personnel and losing one of their cadre even as the royal government threatened to take action against its employees who abstain from casting their votes.
Maoist leader Prachanda, whose call for a week-long general strike has brought Nepal to a virtual standstill, in a statement urged voters not to participate in the polls and take the movement for democracy and peace to a new height.
“The success of our general strike has made it clear that the public opinion is against the municipal polls slated for tomorrow,” he said, adding the fight to topple King would continue after the elections.
Home Minister Kamal Thapa told reporters that security forces have been instructed to shoot if there are any attempts to disrupt polls or harm the voters.
State-run Nepal Radio said the government has taken action against a senior official Prasanna Kumar Koirala, nephew of Nepali Congress Vice President Sushil Koirala, for publicly stating that he would not participate in tomorrow’s polls. It did not say what kind of action was taken against him The government also sealed off the kingdom’s borders from today till the elections are over in an effort to prevent any untoward activity.
SHIRISH B PRADHAN, KATHMANDU, FEB 7 (PTI)
Army was today mobilised across Nepal and ordered to shoot anyone trying to disturb tomorrow’s municipal elections amidst a boycott call by political parties and the Maoist threat to disrupt the polls called by King Gyanendra pledging it to be the first step towards restoration of full-fledged democracy.
On the eve of the polls, Maoist rebels struck at two places killing eight security personnel and losing one of their cadre even as the royal government threatened to take action against its employees who abstain from casting their votes.
Maoist leader Prachanda, whose call for a week-long general strike has brought Nepal to a virtual standstill, in a statement urged voters not to participate in the polls and take the movement for democracy and peace to a new height.
“The success of our general strike has made it clear that the public opinion is against the municipal polls slated for tomorrow,” he said, adding the fight to topple King would continue after the elections.
Home Minister Kamal Thapa told reporters that security forces have been instructed to shoot if there are any attempts to disrupt polls or harm the voters.
State-run Nepal Radio said the government has taken action against a senior official Prasanna Kumar Koirala, nephew of Nepali Congress Vice President Sushil Koirala, for publicly stating that he would not participate in tomorrow’s polls. It did not say what kind of action was taken against him The government also sealed off the kingdom’s borders from today till the elections are over in an effort to prevent any untoward activity.