Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Government bans Chand-led CPN

Just days after a second blast in the Valley, the government today banned the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) led by Netra Bikram Chand 'Biplov'. The party was involved in a series of explosions including at Ncell towers and other public places across the country.
Hoping that the government move will pressurise the Chand-led CPN to surrender, the cabinet meeting held in Baluwatar late today evening decided to ban the Chand-led CPN party and its ‘criminal’ activities, a cabinet minister said, adding that the government has concluded that the group has been engaging in criminal activities by detonating bombs at infrastructure projects and disturbing peace and security. "As the Chand-led party has been indulging in terrorist activities, there is no way to deal with it politically."
However, home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa – during the meeting briefed the cabinet – branding the Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal a criminal group – and also informed that the Som Prasad Pandey-led talks team failed to hold dialogue with the party. "The party did not respond to the government talks team even after release of its leaders, including spokesperson Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma 'Prakanda'," Thapa added. "The party used the government talks team to release its leaders."
The government had signed a peace accord with secessionist CK Raut a day before banning the Chand-led NCP, and banned the other as it has information that Chand is planning some 'serious attacks' on 'key leaders.' Senior leaders of the CPN have reportedly gone underground while its cadres have been engaged in violent activities.
"After being briefed by the four security agencies, the government has concluded that the Chand-led CPN's activities were more criminal than political, it needs to be dealt with accordingly,” another cabinet minister added.
The government is also under pressure as it is planning to hold second investment summit, scheduled on March 29-30. The splinter of the former Maoist has been indulged in extortion and force 'donation drive' apart from detonating explosives threatening the private sector. Apart from Ncell bombing, the outfit had earlier attacked the project site of Arun III hydroelectricity project and also warned that it will not allow the Upper Karnali hydroelectricity project to move forward. The Maoist splinter on March 8 has also detonated a bomb at the residence of a foreign employment association president Rohan Gurung.
The then government in 2002 had also banned the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' through an ordinance during the armed conflict. Incumbent home minister Thapa and the banned Chand were CPN-M leaders then. Chand later joined Mohan Baidhya-led Nepal Communist Party-Maoist (Revolutionary) but he led CPN with a splinter parting ways with Baidhya.

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