Soldiers, students and journalists join protest against the govt

Kathmandu, Sep 20 (UNI) Joining the on-going protests in Nepal, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers came out of the UN-monitored cantonments in various places to press the demand that the Himalyan nation be declared a Republic.

About 5,000 maoists combatants, dressed in combat fatigues, came out of the Shakti Khor cantonment with arms joining the political activists of CPN-M, Nepal News reported.

Maoist leader Abiral said, ''The UN has given us some weapons for our security. Our comrades had come out of the camps with those very weapons.'' The Maoist combatants walked three km to reach Parsa bazaar from Chainpur satellite camp and raised slogans against the interim government. Their demands included declaration of republic, proper management of the camps and postponement of Constituent Assembly elections.

The demonstration resulted in stalling of vehicular movement at various points, the newspaper reported.

United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) had, on Tuesday, expressed concern over Maoists exit from the government and urged them not to mobilise the soldiers in political protests.

''UNMIN calls on the Maoist leadership to observe its commitments to keep the Maoist army in cantonment and it should not be mobilised for political protest,'' the newspaper quoted UNMIN spokesperson Kieran Dwyer as saying.

Meanwhile, Maoist-affiliated All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) also unveiled its agitation programme yesterday.

ANNISU-R president Lekhnath Neupane announced to hold public hearing in educational institutions from September 19 till October 3, Himalyan Times reported.

During the public hearing, the corrupt and elements present in the education sector will be exposed, the newspaper quoted Mr Neupane as saying.

The students union announced to hold motorcycle rallies in cities across the country on September 29 and torch-lit rallies on October 3.

The Revolutionary Journalists' Association submitted a 10-point memorandum to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala yesterday, giving the latter 10 days to meet its demands.

UNI