Maoist protesters, police clash outside Nepal presidential palace

Kathmandu, May 11 (ANI): Maoist protesters and riot police clashed in front of Nepal's presidential palace on Monday.

The demonstrators were seeking information on the country's missing people and why President Ram Baran Yadav had no sacked the country's army chief, General Rookmangud Katawal.

Over 1,200 people have been reported as missing between 1996 and 2006.

The protests came hours after diplomatic envoys from 16 countries, representatives of multinational donors and chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Karen Landgren, jointly called on acting Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Envoys from United States, Germany, France, UK, Norway, China and India and representatives from World Bank and Asian Development Bank were among those who participated in the meeting.

The discussion dwelled mainly on postponement of NDF meeting and delay in formation of the new government due to continued obstruction of parliament proceedings by the Maoists.

Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai informed the envoys that the new government would organise the NDF meet in September or October.

The delegations of UNMIN, foreign envoys and representatives of donor agencies also met Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala at his residence in Maharajgunj.

During the meeting, the delegation expressed concern over political changes that would have negative impact on the ongoing peace process.

Koirala assured that he would personally consult with Maoist chairman Dahal and UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal to resolve the stalemate. (ANI)