Nepal Maoists greet their PM with black flags

Kathmandu, Sep 17 (ANI): Unified CPN (Maoist) cadres waved black flags and pelted stones at Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal as he attended the 34th convocation ceremony of the Tribhuvan University on Wednesday.

The Maoist cadres threw stones and black flags at the stage when the convocation ceremony was in progress. They also chanted slogans against the Prime Minister.

Some students who participated in the program also waved black flags. A few Maoist cadres were injured when the police used force to break the protest.

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Nepal expressed worry over "growing anarchy" in the university.

Citing the attack on Vice Chancellor Dr Madhav Sharma a few months ago, Nepal said insecurity in the university is a matter of worry and that students were lacking in moral education.

The Maoists, who headed a government after emerging as the largest political group in last year's election, resigned in May following a failed attempt to sack of army chief Rookmangud Katawal, a move that prompted the President, whose duties are generally limited to the ceremonial, to intervene.

The Maoists say the President had undermined the supremacy of the civilian government by overruling the cabinet.

The real reason for the conflict, it is believed, is that Maoists want to fill the army with their cadres. The Army is willing to integrate only those who fulfill their requirements.

Madhav Kumar Nepal said he is ready to appoint Maoists to his cabinet but rules out a new government headed by the former rebels. (ANI)