To expedite the peace process to end the decade-old insurgency in Nepal, the rebel Maoists have called for a suspension of their people's courts in urban areas and the collection of forced donations, news-papers reported yesterday.
In a statement issued on Monday by top Maoist leader Prachanda, whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the establishment of custom posts have also been halted in "keeping in view of the gravity of the situation and also to facilitate the on-going peace negotiations and the process towards peace and forward movement."
The Maoists came under sharp criticism from the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) and other political parties during Sunday's parliamentary session for their activities that some said amounted to setting up a parallel government.
The SPA formed a government following mass demonstrations in April that forced King Gyanendra to end emergency rule he had imposed in February last year.
Under an eight-point pact, Nepal's government and the Maoists will form an interim government to organize elections for an assembly that will create a new constitution.
Parliament members on Sunday opposed the dissolution of parliament until "other arrangements were made."
The Maoist statement said that the people's government would continue to function until an interim constitution is drafted and an interim government, that also includes Maoists, is formed.
The statement also said the rebels would continue to collect voluntary donations.
Meanwhile, 85-year-old Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who was admitted to hospital in Kathmandu on Monday night, was making "satisfactory" progress against a pneumonia infection, his personal physician said yesterday.
Koirala, who suffered from chest infection and respiratory problems, was rushed to Gangalal Heart Center late on Monday and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
Madhu Ghimire, Koirala's personal physician, told journalists yesterday, "When anyone at the age of 85 suffers from pneumonia, we take it seriously."
"The prime minister is progressing satisfactorily but he will be in the hospital for the next few days," he said.
Koirala had been scheduled to present the government's policies to parliament yesterday.
An official announcement said the presentation of policies and programs approved by the Cabinet on Monday would take place after "a few days" and the prime minister himself would present them.
Koirala was appointed prime minister by the king on April 27 following a 19-day pro-democracy movement in April that forced the king to hand over power.
RSS