No weapons, only logistics from India: Sitaula

Kathmandu, March 26 (UNI) Nepal Home Minister Krishna Sitaula has clarified that the Indian trucks coming into the country did not carry arms but the vehicles were part of logistic support for better equipping the country's police.

Mr Sitaula's statement came following the obstruction by the Maoists to the Indian-registered trucks entering into Nepal through Bhairahawa.

The Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel are given the charge of the Nepali Army under the Comprehensive Peace Accord.

The trucks were taken to Kathmandu after police's intervention.

''Since the restoration of democracy in April 2006, 14,000 police personnel have been recruited for the security of the people,'' Mr Sitaula said in the statement, adding ''To arrange logistics and other equipment for them, we have received vehicles from India.'' He said the government was concerned about the Maoists'taking to the street and calling a strike in some districts.

Maoist chairman Prachanda told mediapersons in Biratnagar that the government must clarify the reasons for transporting weapons in the night.

''It has raised serious doubts over the possibility of holding polls,'' Kantipur quoted him as saying in Biratnagar.

''If the government fails to clarify, all election rallies will turn into protest,'' Mr Prachanda said.

UNI XC LPB RS1438