Rifts within the Maoists at the central committee meeting; Protests against YCL’s criminal activities; Reports: Nepal discusses Kalapani issue in meeting with Chinese military delegation
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  • The 35-member Central Committee of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) met on November 18 with senior leaders expressing differences of opinion on a range of issues. Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and leader of the hard-line faction, Mohan Baidya presented separate political documents on the political situation in Nepal. Dahal on his part presented three options on republicanism. These included a federal democratic republic, a people's republic and a transitional republic and called on the need for integration of Maoist combatants into the security structures of the Nepal Army. Baidya on the other hand asserted that there was no alternative to the "immediate adoption of People's Republic1.”

    Meanwhile, protestors in Kathmandu charged that cadres of the Young Communist League (YCL) had killed Nirmal Pant and Pushkar Dangol, two students who were abducted a month ago by the YCL2. CPN (UML) General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal, leading the protesters stated that the unruly activities of the YCL had enraged the general public3. The party-affiliated Democratic National Youth Association (DNYA) President, Ajambar Rai, warned of dire consequences if YCL did not dismantle its paramilitary structures immediately4. President of Nepali Congress-affiliated Nepal Tarun Dal, Mahendra Yadav, declared that if the culprits of the another (Dhading) murder case were not brought to justice, his organisation would launch demonstrations to topple the current government led by the CPN (Maoist). YCL chief Ganesh Man Pun however stated that attempts were being made to intensify demonstrations against the Maoists and terrorise the public on baseless allegations of murder.

    With Nepal struggling to resolve its political uncertainties, Chinese engagements in the country have increased manifold since April 2006. Reports have noted that Beijing has been focusing attention on the Indo-Nepal border regions in order to create a buffer between the Chinese border and Tibetan refugees living in India. Recently, a Chinese delegation led by Maj. Gen. Ei Hujeng visited the Nepali Home Ministry on November 20 to discuss issues ranging from border management and military assistance. The issue of Kalapani border dispute between India and Nepal reportedly figured prominently in the discussion and the Nepali side assured the Chinese delegation that it could be settled through a trilateral mechanism between Nepal, India and China5.

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