Kathmandu, September 2
By Eric Ribellarsi
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| One of many blockades throughout the country. photo credit: Eric Ribellarsi |
Today, the Kiran faction of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has launched a major protest program against the disarming of the People's Liberation Army being led by Nepal's new Prime Minister, Baburam Bhattarai. The Maoist rebels are demanding the immediate reversal of the decision to disarm People's Liberation Army, a process which has already begun.
So far, this program has included:
1. A nation-wide one hour blockade of major roads and intersection throughout the country. We have heard this took place at roughly 50 locations in Kathmandu, including Kalanki, the main road used for entrance into Kathmandu.
2. A boycott of major party meetings, including today's Standing Committee meeting.
3. Torchlight marches throughout Kathmandu and in other cities throughout the entire country, beginning tonight at 6:00 PM.
We will keep you posted as we learn more.
UPDATE: We have just learned that the Prachanda and Bhattarai factions have announced that they will not step down from the moves to disarm the PLA. Not only will they hand over the keys, but they will also begin moving the containers out of three of the cantonments. Kiran, Dev Gurung, and Biplab boycotted the meeting.