Maoist leader urges Nepal PM to raise Indian intervention issue

Kathmandu, Sep 9 (UNI) International Relations department chief of Maoists C P Gajurel has said Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal should raise the issue of ''Indian intervention and border encroachment issue during his visit to India next week, media reports said.

"The Prime Minister should raise the issues of revising 1950 treaty, Kosi Agreement of 1954, border encroachment and Indian intervention in Nepal's politics," Kanatipur quoted Mr Gajurel as saying in Kathmandu.

"Nepal should call for immediate review of the 1954 Agreement on Kosi Project and decide how to address the existing flood problem in Sunsari because it is a disaster for which the Indian side is also responsible," he said.

"We must demand compensation for loss of lives and property," he said. He also suggested that Nepal should start fresh talks on where to build a new barrage.

Asked about the Maoists' views on 1950 treaty between Nepal and India, which the Maoist say is unequal, he said "We must know the Indian opinion first and carry out extensive homework for its overall review in accordance with the changed political context." The treaty was faulty in the sense that it does not have provision for review or updating, he said.

"Either both countries must agree on scrapping the treaty or accept it as it is," he said adding, "Even if any one country wants to abrogate it unilaterally, it must inform the other side a year before its enforcement." He said there has been border encroachment in 60 places as reported by media and border experts. "The existing water border demarcation between the two countries should be updated by drawing new border lines," he added.

"The government should call an all-party meeting to decide the national agenda during the visit," said Nepali Congress leader Dr Prakash Saran Mahat while speaking in the same programme.

"The Prime Minister, during his bilateral talks with India, should take up issues finalised through all-party consensus," he added.

Mr Dahal is visiting India from September 14 to 18. Mr Dahal had visited China immediately after being elected to the post of Prime Minister.

UNI XC AM HS1319