Maoists' autonomous states symbolic: Bhattarai

KANTIPUR REPORT

KATHMANDU, NOV 03 - UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai said on Tuesday that his party's plan to declare autonomous federal states would only be symbolic and publicity stunt.

Bhattarai said so in the wake of mounting criticisms against the Maoists' protest programme, saying that the main opposition party tried to create parallel power centers.

As part of their second phase of protests, Maoist cadres yesterday besieged Dhankuta Municipality and 'appointed' mayor and other office bearers there.

Speaking at an interaction programme organised by Janasanchar Abhian today, the Maoist Vice-Chairman reiterated his party's commitment to the peace process.

"We have not worked against the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)," said Bhattarai, "And the peace process will not be derailed just because anyone desires so."

The government has taken the incident of Dhankuta municipality siege seriously.

Concluding that the incident of Dhankuta municipality siege has breached the CPA, the government today directed the security bodies to remain on high alert.

Bhattarai said that his party will appoint local body representatives itself and carry on with the regular business there if the government failed to appoint local body representatives at the earliest.