Nepal Timeline - 2010

January 1	Deputy Commander of the Maoist’s PLA Chandra Dev Khanal aka Baldev said that they would continue their struggle until they were integrated into the national Army. Our weapons will remain with us till the formation of a national army by merging the PLA and Nepal Army (NA), Khanal said.
January 2	The Unified CPN-Maoist called for Kailali District closure protesting against the Nepal Army patrolling at Dudejhari. Five persons including a junior Police officer were killed in Kailali violence on December 4, 2009 after the Police used force to evict the Maoists-backed illegal landless squatters who had transgressed the Dudejhari forest.
January 3	The Constitutional Committee under the Constituent Assembly, scheduled to complete its first preliminary draft of the constitution, failed to do so after leaders, including those from big three parties, declined to sign the draft. The Unified CPN Maoist decided neither to support the seventh amendment bill of the interim constitution tabled by the Government nor file an amendment proposal on it. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal warned that the state will not remain a mute-spectator if the Unified CPN Maoist tries to capture the State power.
January 4	The Unified CPN-Maoist said the party is ready to reconsider about the autonomous states being based on ethnicity, sex, region and geography.
January 5	Rastriya Jana Morcha (RJM) gave a call for bandh in Seti and Mahakali zones as part of its agitation against federalism. The Unified CPN-M decided to focus the fourth phase of their nationwide agitation "to protect national sovereignty and integrity" upon reaching the conclusion that it is in "serious danger" and endorsed the political report tabled by party ‘chairman’ Pushpa Kamal Dahal at central committee (CC) meeting of the party that concluded in the party headquarters at Paris Danda in Koteshwor. The Nepali Congress (NC) party accused the Unified CPN-M of inviting conflict and hindering the peace process and constitution writing schedule. The Army Integration Special Committee started deliberation on the proposal tabled by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, aimed at finishing all works related to the Maoist combatants, including their integration, by April 30, 2010.
January 6	Unidentified assailants shot dead two cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist and a local resident at Ganjabhawanipur in the Bara District. The attackers were cadres of the Terai Mukti Morcha (TMM). MJF, which on December 4 had announced the second Madhes movement, again decided to start protest programmes from mid January. However, the party was yet to unveil the details of the protest programmes likely to begin from January 16. Rastriya Jana Morcha (RJM) called for a general shutdown in five Districts of Narayani zone as part of its agitation against federalism.
January 7	At least eight persons were injured in a clash between the cadres of the YCL and Youth Force, the youth wing of the CPN-UML, at Madirambeni VDC. Six activists of the Youth Force and two cadres of YCL were injured in the clash. The clash ensued after the YCL started to seize maize of a local resident Ramalaya Guthi. The first batch of 201 former child soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) -155 minors and 46 who were recruited after the cut-off date- left the second division main cantonment site at Dudhauli. The Dhudhauli camp was home to 372 disqualified combatants who failed the verification process carried out by the UNMIN in December 2007. The Unified CPN-Maoist agreed in principle to integrate PLA combatants with Nepal Army within 112 days as per the action plan proposed by Prime Minister (PM) Madhav Kumar Nepal. PM Nepal while addressing his party (CPN-UML) cadres in Bharatpur said that the Maoists will be reduced to ashes as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of Sri Lanka if they again resort to another revolt.
January 8	The big three parties - Unified CPN-Maoist, CPN-UML and Nepali Congress (NC) - announced the formation of High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) to end the political deadlock. Hours after agreeing to join a high-level political mechanism, which is widely seen as a breakthrough in the efforts to find an outlet to the protracted political impasse, Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda warned that his party would launch 'people's revolt' if the country does not get a new constitution on time and the peace process gets derailed. The CPN-Maoist-led by Matrika Yadav claimed that the disqualified combatants who were discharged from the UN-monitored cantonments have joined the party. The breakaway faction of the Unified CPN-Maoist made such claims amid a function in Dhankuta District, a day after the discharge of disqualified Maoist combatants began.
January 11	Parsa District's Assistant Chief District Officer (CDO) Balbahadur Malla was injured and his bodyguard Anandaraj Khadka was shot dead in gunfire attack in the District headquarters Birgunj. Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) cadre Sanjeev took the responsibility of the killing by making telephone calls to the local Media. The Unified CPN-Maoist is due to hold mass assembly at some three border encroached regions as part of its fourth phase of agitation. Senior leaders of the party have already reached the Nepal-India border regions to address the programme.
January 12	A Unified CPN-Maoist leader was shot dead in Bara District. The slain leader was identified as Rajesh Mandal (30), who was in charge of the Maoists' Bhojpura Rajya Samiti at Parsa area no. 2. A caller, who identified himself as a member of an underground armed outfit Terai Army, claimed responsibility for the killing.
January 13	At least six persons were injured when activists of the CPN-UML clashed with the Nepali Congress (NC) activists at Bariyapur in Rautahat District. All the injured are said to be CPN-UML activists. The activists of the two ruling allies confronted over the election of school management committee. Rastriya Jana Morcha (RJM) party called for a bandh (general shutdown) in Mechi and Koshi zones as part of its agitation against federalism. The bandh left only a partial impact in the eastern region. Normal life in Rupandehi, Kapilvastu and Nawalparasi Districts is affected due to the Madhesh banda (general shutdown) called by the Unified CPN-Maoist protesting against the killing of its cadre in Bara on January 12. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon tabled the latest quarterly report on Nepal's peace process at the UNSC. The UN stated that Nepal's peace process has remained largely stalled over the past three months, with tensions and mistrusts between the Unified CPN-Maoist, the Government and the Army threatening its very survival.
January 14	Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda agreed to induct Prime Minister (PM) Madhav Kumar Nepal as an ‘invitee member’ of the newly formed High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) and include other party leaders as well. Prachanda who was earlier against including PM Nepal in the HLPM. Normal life in the Terai region was back to normalcy after the Unified CPN-Maoist called off their banda (general shutdown) in view of the Makar Sankranti (a Hindu festive day) in the afternoon.
January 15	The Nepal Army (NA) refuted the Unified CPN-Maoist’s claim that NA brought a large quantity of arms and ammunition from India through the Sunauli border in the night of January 14. Maoist cadres showed black flags at President Dr Ram Baran Yadav in Panauti of Kavre District, when he arrived there to inaugurate a ceremony marking the Makar Mela (a Hindu festival).
January 17	Nepal Army (NA) concluded that the Unified CPN-Maoist has not renounced its military character and that its youth wing, the YCL is more dangerous to the ongoing peace process than the combatants staying in cantonments. The third division cantonment of the UCPN-Maoist at Shaktikhor in Chitwan District, bid adieu to 222 out of 258 disqualified combatants at a function. The remaining 36 fighters would be released on January 27 once their pre-SLC exams are over. Inaugurating a two-day seminar of peace committees Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong said the Government would hold talks with only those outfits that have political objectives. The Parliament amended all provisions related to monarchy in some 108 different Acts and annulled some of them.
January 18	At least three activists of Tarun Dal, youth wing of Nepali Congress (NC) party, were injured after being attacked by YCL cadres in the Rasuwa District. The Special Committee on the Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist Combatants agreed on the procedures for supervision, control and mobilisation and the code of conduct that would free former Maoist combatants from the Maoist party’s chain of command and bring them under Government control.
January 19	The Unified CPN-Maoist requested the visiting US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Patrick Moon to remove the party from the 'terrorist list'. While speaking at a programme in Khalanga in Salyan District, Maoist Chairman Prachanda warned that the party will resort to war if the incumbent Government tries to derail the peace process.
January 20	The Government clarified that Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari's remark on the issue of army integration was entirely her own and not an official position of the Government. Maoist cadres captured approximately 29 hectares (579 ropanies) of private land in Mahadevsthan VDC in Kavre District. The Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Farmers Association activists captured 21 hectares (32 bighas) of private land in Hathausa in Kapilvastu District. Maoist activists also captured 13 hectares of private land at the Dainiya VDC in Morang District. The Constituent Assembly (CA) Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers chose the 14-state model out of two alternative models proposed by a sub-committee.
January 21	The UNSC voted to extend the UNMIN term by nearly four months. The Government had urged the UN to extend the UNMIN term until the Army integration process completes. Around 622 disqualified Maoist combatants were discharged from the fourth division cantonment at Jhyaltungdanda in Nawalparasi.
January 22	The Unified CPN-Maoist called off its indefinite general strike for 'civilian supremacy', which was scheduled to start from January 24. The party took the decision citing positive discussion during the meeting of the HLPM towards resolving the political impasse. Samyukta Madhesi Loktantrik Morcha, a conglomerate of four Madhes based parties, MJF, MJF-Loktantrik, TMLP and Sadbhawana Party, took an exception to the report prepared and submitted by CA Committee on State Restructuring and Distribution of State Powers saying the report will disintegrate Madhes if implemented.
January 24	Prime Minister (PM) Madhav Kumar Nepal said that Maoist combatants who want to be integrated in the Nepal Army (NA) should give up their affiliation with the Unified CPN-M and vow that they will not politicise the Army.
January 26	Cadres of the Terai Janatantrik Party (Madhes) abducted Sitapur VDC secretary Indra Bahadur Shrestha and subsequently killed him at Manpur in Banke District. Businesspersons and political leaders of Surkhet District condemned the threat given by Unified CPN-Maoist to stop work at Upper Karnali. Maoist chairman Prachanda met Nepali Congress president and coordinator of the high-level political mechanism (HLPM) Girija Prasad Koirala and reportedly stressed that the Maoist demands regarding 'civilian supremacy' and 'national independence' should be discussed at the HLPM and arrive at a conclusion on them at the earliest.
January 27	Around 15-16 cadres of the ANNISU-R, the student wing of the Unified CPN-Maoist, attacked Nepali Congress affiliated Nepal Student Union (NSU) District member Rajkumar Dangi at Narayani Salyani conference hall near Mahendra Multiple Campus in Dang. The MJF and Tharuhat Struggle Committee came together for a joint agitation against what they call the disintegration of Madhesh into two States. Earlier, the two ethnic groups were against each other.
January 28	Two PLA first division section commanders, Raju Magar alias Sambeg and Suman Luitel alias Bikash, were arrested along with weapons and explosive materials from Itahari in Sunsari District while they were trying to collect ransom from Dharan-based businessman Nabin Raj Bhandari. The Parliament passed the seventh amendment bill to the interim constitution by a two-third majority enabling president, vice president, Prime Minister and ministers to take oath of office and secrecy in their mother tongues. The Parliament also passed a resolution to reactivate the defunct post of vice president.
January 29	A patrol team of the Armed Police Force (APF) arrested three persons affiliated to different underground armed groups operating in the Terai region while they were going towards Samanpur in Rautahat District from Sarlahi District. Cadres of the YCL searched a bus reserved by the CPN-UML activists till Jhagajholi Ratamata VDC, where the regional convention of the party’s Sindhuli Constituency-3 was to be held and ‘detained’ four CPN-UML activists including the party’s central committee member Keshav Devkota, along with arms. Central committee member of the NC and Former Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka said at a press meet in Narayangarh that the party is in need to form an armed youth squad.
January 30	NC acting President Sushil Koirala said that the Maoist combatants can not be integrated in the Nepal Army (NA).
January 31	A meeting of the Special Committee for Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of the PLA combatants in the capital endorsed its work procedure regarding the chain-of-command of the PLA, ensuring that they will no longer be on the Unified CPN-Maoist control. The Unified CPN-Maoist decided that the party will announce its further protests only after holding discussion with newly formed HLPM about their demands. The Unified CPN-Maoist cadres greeted Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Saradsingh Bhandari with black flags in his own constituency in Mahottari District when he reached Gaushala of the District.
February 1	Pasang Sherpa, an entrepreneur of Chainpur in Sankhuwasabha WAS allegedly abducted by around 22 Maoists saying they wanted to interrogate him regarding a truck carrying illegal goods that was impounded by Revenue Investigation Unit Office, Itahari, some days back. Nepal Police recovered illegal weapons from the residence of Madhusudhan Ray Yadav, a cadre belonging to Jwala Singh group of the JTMM, at Sonaraniya VDC in Rautahat of Birgunj District. The Subedi faction of the CPN- Unified and Unified CPN-Maoist have decided to merge during a meeting between the two parties. The Unified CPN-Maoist declared people’s revolt implausible in Nepal. He, however, maintained that the standing committee meeting would finalise the protest plan on February 3. The ruling parties called the main opposition Unified CPN-Maoist not to use the People's Liberation Army fighters residing in the UN-monitored cantonments in any programme that will be organised to mark the 14^th anniversary of the People's War to be held on February 14.
February 2	The Nepal Police shot dead a ‘commander’ of Jwala Singh faction of JTMM-J, identified as Motiram Dusad alias ‘Kalicharan’ (26), in an encounter in Parsa District. The Police arrested 10 cadres of Matrika Yadav-led CPN-Maoist in charge of extortion and battery in Butwal District, includING Rupendehi District secretary Dan Bahadur Gharti. The Police arrested 11 cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist, including Kochila State Committee Secretariat member Mohan Timsina, from the ward office of the party in Janata Basti of Itahari District for their involvement in the abduction of Pasang Sherpa, an entrepreneur of Chainpur in Sankhuwasabha. Cadres of ‘All Nepal Landless Association’ and ‘All Nepal Farmers Association’ affiliated to the Unified CPN-Maoist captured 13 hectares of private land in Topgachhi VDC of Jhapa District. Maoist sources claimed that the land was captured as per party’s decision.
February 3	The ‘central chairman’ of the ‘Terai Army’, Sanjaya Sah alias Mister Sagar and another cadre, Baliram Das Tatma, surrendered before the District Police Office in Rauthat District. The Unified CPN-Maoist has decided to launch its fifth phase of protest, as decided in its standing committee meeting. The Unified CPN-Maoist would conduct expose campaigning from February 13 to April 6 to put pressure on the constitution drafting and peace process, said the Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma. The MJF chairman Upendra Yadav called the Madheshi people to revolt "since the other political parties were preparing to impose a presidential rule in the country instead of drafting a constitution" in Rajbiraj of Saptari District. Yadav urged his party cadres to come out with batons to ‘safeguard’ the region. The Unified CPN-Maoist vice chairman, Baburam Bhattarai, dismissed the demand for State Restructuring Commission.
February 4	Police arrested six Unified CPN-Maoist cadres in Itahari District in the charge of abducting a businessman. According to the Police sources, the Maoists were arrested under the Public Offence Act. The Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda declared in a press conference in Koteshwar in Kathmandu District to limit his party’s fifth phase agitation to people’s mobilisation only expecting the High Level Political Mechanism to address the demands it has been raising. Three left parties - CPN-Maoist led by Matrika Yadav, Revolutionary Communist Party-Nepal led by Mani Thapa and CPN-United led by Rishi Kattel- announced two-month long protest program from February 4^th putting forth an Eight-Point demand including preparing the statute in time.
February 5	Nawal Yadav, suspected cadre of the JTMM, was shot dead in crossfire between the Security Force personnel and an armed group in Balabakhar Village Development Committee of Dhanusa 12 Unified CPN-Maoist activists were injured when they clashed with Police at Sangam Chowk in Chitwan District. Sunsari District Police released the Unified CPN-Maoist cadres after the Maoists warned of indefinite bandh (general shut down). The Unified CPN-Maoist Vice-Chairman, Mohan Baidya alias Kiran, said that the High-Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) has got the power to change the Government. Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, however, challenged the very statement that the HLPM holds no legal rights to change the Government.
February 6	Khambuwan National Front (KNF) warned 6 to launch an arm conflict if the Government fails to establish a separate State of Khambuwan. The KNF President, R.K. Khambu, also demanded State restructuring on the basis of nationality, culture and historical realities.
February 7	The Police arrested a central member belonging to Pawan faction of the SJTMM, identified as Ravi Dutta Mishra alias Raj Guru in Kapilvastu District. Police revealed that Raj Guru is also ‘chief of western and the far western command’ of the armed outfit. The CPN-UML Vice Chairman Bamdev Gautam claimed that with the kind of preparations so far there was no way the new constitution would be promulgated on the slated timeframe of May 28.
February 8	The release of 268 disqualified PLA combatants from the Unified CPN-Maoist Fifth Division Cantonment in Rolpa District brought one month of rigorous discharge process to an end. The Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar mentioned that the term of the Constituent Assembly should not be extended. Gachhadar insisted on the Constitution to be drafted within May 28. The new Constitution can be drafted within eight to ten days if the Unified CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of CPN-UML forge consensus, he added.
February 9	The Unified CPN-Maoist has adopted a policy to recruit the PLA combatants recently discharged from various cantonments across the country in its youth wing YCL. Chairman of Terai outfit Madhes Mukti Tigers (MMT) Raman Singh in Saptari District on February 8 declared that his group was ready to hold talks with the Government if the latter creates a suitable environment.
February 10	Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal accused the Unified CPN-Maoist of taking ‘undue advantages’ of its combatants confined in United Nations-monitored cantonments. The Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala said in Biratnagar District that High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) was formed not to topple the Government but to cooperate with it, and to defuse the political deadlock.
February 11	The Chairman of the Unified CPN-Maoist Prachanda warned that the president’s post will be defunct first, if the country fails to get the constitution on time. He also opposed leaders’ views that the tenure of Constituent Assembly could be prolonged in case the new constitution was not written on time. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said that the new constitution will be promulgated on time at any cost. Adding to this, Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist Chairman Jhalanath Khanal mentioned that the political deadlock should be resolved in a package
February 12	Sambhu Ydav, a regional leader of the Unified CPN-Maoist, was killed by an unidentified group at Sonaroya VDC in Rautahat District The Unified CPN-Maoist declared a bandh (general shut down) in Bhojpur, Bara and Rautahat Districts. The cadres of Matrika Yadav led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist vandalized a house and expelled the entire family from the village at Zeromile in Dhangadi District. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal proposed on the management and integration of the Maoist Combatants in the HLPM. The HLPM meeting ended inconclusively as the political parties differed on the issues of including other political parties in the mechanism.
February 13	Cadres of the Unified CPN-Maoist captured half an acre of land in the Urlabari area of Morang District. Co-secretary of the Maoists, Morang District Committee Khem Raj Pradhan said the land was captured on the occasion of people's war Anniversary. Cadres of Matrika Yadav-led CPN-Maoist also captured private land in Morang District.
February 14	Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said that Maoist Chairman Prachanda’s ambiguous statements have raised doubts over timely promulgation of the new constitution despite the Government’s hard-won effort. While saying that the top priority of the Government is to establish lasting peace in the country by accomplishing the tasks of Army integration and constitution promulgation, the PM accused Unified CPN-Maoist of being the major obstacle in statute drafting.
February 16	A team of Unified CPN-Maoist led by Constitution Assembly members Amar Tamu and Buddhiram Tamu stopped the work at a hydro-project in Taghrin VDC in Lamjung District. Amar Tamu, the Maoist leader said the project was halted as per the policy of the party. The Maoists also posted a notice at the site mentioning the project will not be allowed to resume without the permission of the locals. The Unified CPN-Maoist vice chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha dismissed the stance of ruling political parties that integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants should be done before the promulgation of the constitution. He claimed that ‘army integration’ means integration of all the PLA members into the army. The CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said that the HLPM, of which he is a member, failed to diffuse the political crisis in the country.
February 17	Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) employees, supporters of Unified CPN-Maoist took away the car used by CPN-UML leader K. P. Sharma Oli from NEA premises. The employees who seized Oli’s car said they seized the car as it was being used unauthoritatively and that it was not returned despite several requests. The Unified CPN-Maoists reactivated ‘People’s Court’ in Sankhuwasabha District, violating the CPA. The people’s court has begun giving verdicts, including physical punishments, said Dibyaraj Baral, Khandbari city in-charge of the Maoists. The Unified CPN-Maoist began two-day training for party cadres from across the country at Kharipati in Bhaktapur District. Party General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa said the training would reach a conclusion on issues including whether more movement and revolution is needed or not, whether the revolution should be given continuity or not.
February 18	The Unified CPN-Maoist Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai warned that serious consequences may arise if the salaries of the Maoist combatants are stopped by the Government. Talking UNMIN Chief Karen Landgren, Bhattarai said it will be a breach of CPA if the Government takes such step. The meeting of HLPM is underway at its Co-coordinator Girija Prasad Koirala's residence in Kathmandu. All HLPM members—Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal—are expected to take part in it. Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda said peace process and the constitution-drafting are the main priorities of his party at the moment, asking his party cadres to be focused on these twin agendas. Saying that the coming three months would mark a very critical phase, Dahal said the 'revolution' waged by the Maoist party would soon take a decisive turn.
February 19	The Unified CPN-Maoist cadres stopped a truck belonging to the APF in Dhading District charging the APF men of importing large numbers of arms and explosives from India. The APF said that they were bringing necessary equipments for the training from Bardaghat of Nawalparasi District. The Police released the truck using force. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala, also a NC leader, warned to withdraw her party’s support to the incumbent coalition Government if the CPN-UML did not correct its modus operandi. The central committee members of the CPN-UML loyal to Jhala Nath Khanal, the party president, demanded Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to step down for what they called his failure to bring about a consensus and take forward the peace process. Leaders of the NC and the CPN-UML, for the first time, agreed to dwell on the Maoists’ agenda of power sharing at a meeting of the HLPM in Kathmandu. They, however, did not elaborate on the modality of power sharing. As per a six-point deal struck in the January 5, 2010, meeting the leaders agreed to make ‘power-sharing’ an issue of the HLPM.
February 20	The Unified CPN-Maoist planned to enlarge its central committee on February 20, adding 35 more members in the 140-member body, reports Nepal News. A meeting of the party's Standing Committee gave nod to a proposal to extend the central committee in Koteshwar District.
February 20-21	The MJF called a bandh on February 21, to protest Police action against its cadres on February 20, at Krishna Nagar of Kapilvastu District. According to MJF chief whip and Constituent Assembly member Abhishek Pratap Sah, a team from Armed Police Force Base Camp, Krishna Nagar, misbehaved and beat up his party cadres. Vehicular movement, factories, educational institutions and markets have been shut down due to the bandh in the District. The Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda ruled out timely statute under the CPN-UML-led Govt.
February 22	The Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal mentioned that the constitutional bodies' positions remained vacant due to the absence of Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the Constitutional Council (CC) meeting. The prime minister said that the leader of main opposition party never showed up at the CC meeting when at least six—of the seven—members should attend it to move ahead. Two cadres of JTMM-J, Jhamkarai Yadav and Birendra Yadav, were shot dead in a clash between the Police team and the JTMM-J cadres. The Police have found a set of pistols from the incident area. TheNC General Secretary Kul Bahadur Gurung said that the Maoist leaders are not positive towards the HLPM. The NC leader also said that his party has not prepared any groundwork to form a Maoist-led Government. The Peace Minister Rakam Chemjong declared that the Government would determine the number of Maoist combatants to be integrated into the national army taking into account the number of weapons verified by the UNMIN. As per the UNMIN records, the number of weapons with the Maoists is 3400. Though the Maoists are demanding integration of UNMIN-verified 19,602 combatants, the Government is reluctant to take up all of them in the Nepal Army. "Since UNMIN has verified only 3400 weapons of the Maoists, the same number could only be integrated," the peace minister said. Chemjong said that the government has the work plan of concluding the integration process within a month by applying the concept of "One combatant, one weapon"
February 23	Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal urged the Unified CPN-Maoist not to put obstacle on the roadmap set by the Constituent Assembly (CA) to promulgate the new constitution by May 28, 2010. He mentioned that the current coalition Government is committed to peace process and timely constitution. Dismissing calls for extending CA's tenure by next six months, he said CA does not need additional time to write the constitution. The internal taskforce, formed by the ruling CPN-UML proposed a national consensus Government. The taskforce also proposed that the party should be open for a Maoist-led Government, provided the main opposition meets "certain conditions." The party’s main conditions, among others, are that the Unified CPN-Maoist must vacate the cantonments and return all seized properties before May 28, 2010. The MJF-L called for an end to political deadlock in the country. The MJF-L also asked the Government to implement the eight-point agreement that was concluded with the Madhesi parties in February 2008. Similarly, in terms of the new constitution, the party mentioned that the constitution must be promulgated on time by taking the Unified-CPN-Maoists in confidence. "If the statute is not formed within the deadline, then the three major parties will be responsible for that," it added. The Central Committee (CC) meeting of the Unified CPN-Maoist failed to take decision on proposed expansion of the party's CC, politburo and standing committee (SC). Failing to finalise names of the 35 new CC members, the meeting has forwarded the dispute to be resolved through state committees. The internal dispute has become sour after the proposal floated for expansion of CC, politburo and SC.
February 24	The six-member task force of the HLPM failed to finalise the common Shankalpa Prastav (stricture motion) proposed to settle the political stand-off, for the fourth day in succession. The HLPM, on February 20, had entrusted the task force a two-day time period with the responsibility of finalising the common motion and present it at the HLPM, no later than February 21. The Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda said that the new constitution would not be promulgated until there is a national unity Government led by his party. The Nepali Janata Dal (NJD) said that it was withdrawing its support to the main opposition Unified CPN-Maoist. Saying that the party has lost faith in the Maoists, NJD’s leader Hari Charan Saha informed about the party’s decision to formally withdraw its support to the Maoists at a press meet in Birgunj of Parsa District. The MJF withdrew the general strike that it had imposed throughout Kapilvastu District since February 20, protesting against the manhandling of its cadres by the police. A MJF lawmaker said that the party decided to lift the general strike after reaching an agreement with the local administration.
February 25	The CPN-ML General Secretary C. P. Mainali ruled out the possibility of drafting the new constitution within 90 days. The CPN-ML leader accused the Unified CPN-Maoist of delaying the constitution drafting. The Unified CPN-Maoist deferred its plan to extend the Central Committee (CC). Concluding that the twin task of constitution drafting and logical conclusion of peace process was the major responsibility, the party CC meeting decided to focus its attention on the constitution drafting as the primary agenda. The Unified CPN-Maoist is preparing to induct 300 combatants disqualified by the UNMIN and discharged recently into the Tamuwan State Committee of the party. The combatants will be deployed in the Tamuwan area. The Youth wing of the Unified CPN-Maoist, YCL claimed that the discharged combatants were imparting "physical training" to YCL cadres.
February 26	The Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda said that the country needs "the final revolt" to write a new constitution in favour of poor people.. Speaking at the inaugural of a ‘martyrs’ memorial gate’ set up by the Unified CPN-Maoist District committee in Damauli District Prachanda remarked that if anyone dares to corner the Maoists, the people will wreck havoc against the current Government. Senior NC leader and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the YCL should be dismantled at the earliest possible, Deuba accused that the Maoist paramilitary force was continuing illegal activities throughout the country.
February 27	A cadre YCL, Asha Ram Bishwakarma, was killed at Botechaur Bazaar in Surkhet District. The Unified CPN-Maoist has blamed the Youth Force (YF), youth wing of the CPN-UML for the killing. Two civilians, Hira Bishwakarma and Khim Bahadur Oli, sustained injuries in this incident.
February 28	The YCL cadres clashed with the YF in Bageshowori District. Eight persons - five from the YCL and three from the YF- were injured in this incident. The Unified CPN-Maoist cadres attacked the Kusapani Police Station in Dailekh District in which seven Security Force personnel were injured. According to the Police sources the Maoist cadres took away some weapons from the station. The Maoists reportedly attacked the Police Station accusing the Police of arresting one of their fellow cadres.
March 1	The YCL called for an indefinite shutdown in Surkhet District protesting against the killing of its fellow cadres. Two major coalition allies—CPN-UML and NC—have become ready to talk about the change of guard with the main opposition party Unified CPN-Maoist. A joint meeting of the ruling CPN-UML and the NC held here in the capital finalized the six-point agenda for the discussion with the Maoists. The Constituent Assembly (CA) will hold its 94^th meeting from March 3, 2010. The meeting will kick off after three weeks. The meeting is set to amend the CA Calendar of Events for the 10^th time. The last CA meeting was concluded on February 4.
March 3	HLPM meeting of the three major political parties, Unified CPN-Maoist, CPN-UML and NC failed to forge an understanding on the terms of Reference of State Restructuring Commission. The Standing Committee member of the ruling CPN-UML K. P. Sharma Oli said in Chitwan District that the cases of shootings on the media persons was a legacy of the Maoist insurgency. One leader of the CPN-UML, Laxam Yadav, managed to escape unhurt when an unidentified armed gang opened fire in Saptari District.
March 4	Nine Police men and two Unified CPN-Maoist cadres were injured in a clash when Police tried to evict the Maoists from the property of a local landowner at Sauraha inBacheli VDC of Chitwan District. The Maoists also disrupted Narayanghat-Hetauda road section following the incident. Nepal Student Union (NSU) activist Suresh Tamang sustained injury when cadres of YCL and the members of the NC clashed in Dhading District. The Vice-President of the Unified CPN-Maoist Baburam Bhattarai said that all United Nations verified combatants must be integrated for new constitution. He mentioned that the new constitution wont' be drafted unless all 19,000 Maoist combatants verified by the UNMIN are integrated. The leaders of the NC warned in Sanepa of Lalitpur District that the country will plunge into a serious crisis if the NC makes a power sharing deal with the Unified CPN-Maoist, saying the Maoists has betrayed the party time and again in the past. A Constituent Assembly (CA) committee formed to study the preliminary reports of CA's 11 thematic committees submitted the report of Committee to Determine the Structure of Constitutional Bodies to the full House of the CA.
March 5	The Unified CPN-Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that conflict existed mainly within four major political parties in the Constituent Assembly. He added that "Conflict is underway between regressive, status-quoists, progressive and transformers". "We are for pro-people and progressive statute," he asserted. Leaders of the ruling NC and CPN-UML held bilateral discussions on making appointments in constitutional bodies, which have remained vacant for a long time due to non-cooperation by the main opposition Unified CPN-Maoist party. The Chairman of the main opposition party Unified CPN-Maoist Prachanda said that the country could get the constitution with the two-third majority of leftists in the Constituent Assembly if they could be united. "It’s possible to make a single communist centre through ideological and political struggle," he added.
March 7	Unified CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda asked the YCL to counter those opposing the pro-people constitution and attacking its leaders and cadres. YCL Newa State Committee in-charge Chandra Bahadur Thapa alias Sagar said that YCL will initiate programmes to counter increasing attacks on Maoists as per chairman’s direction Minister for Information and Communication Shanker Pokharel claimed that the Maoists are preparing for another revolt instead of focusing their energy in constitution making task. He also said that the Maoists are the "source" of guns and weapons that has led to increase in crime and other law and order problems in the country.
March 8	Four Police personnel have been injured in a scuffle with the Unified CPN-Maoist cadres in Kanchanpur District. YCL has set the stage to launch what it has described as a 'national youth campaign. Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda said that conspirators were spreading rumour that the Maoists were planning revolt.
March 9	At least six children were injured when a bomb exploded in front a health post at Ramgunj, in Sunsari District. JTMM has claimed responsibility for the attack. Police evicted CPN-Maoist and its affiliated outfit Nepal Farmers Association-Revolutionary (ANFA-Revolutionary) cadres squatting on the premises of Gaindakot-based Santachuli Deluxe Hotel in Nawalparasi District. Major political parties’ leaders underscored that the integration and management of the Maoist combatants should be taken ahead by forging agreement among the parties. The Constituent Assembly has amended constitution-writing calendar for the tenth time. The tenth amendment, however, has not changed the final date for promulgation of the constitution, which is scheduled for May 28, 2010. Leaders of the political parties in the Constituent Assembly have expressed their commitment to draft the new constitution within the prescribed time. In the March 9 Constitutional Committee meeting the leaders assured cooperation in the drafting process so the constitution gets promulgated within the deadline. Chairman of the main opposition party Unified CPN-Maoist Prachanda expressed his hope of drafting the new statute in the given time frame of May 28.
March 10	The visiting United Nations Under Secretary General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe said that the Nepal’s peace process has become vulnerable. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has reiterated that integration and rehabilitation of cantoned Maoist fighters should be completed before the promulgation of the constitution.
March 11	Visiting United Nations Under Secretary General B. Lynn Pascoe said that the number of Maoist combatants will be kept confidential as it is essential for UNMIN to live up to its commitment to impartiality. The chairman of the Unified CPN-Maoist Prachanda said that the 10-year-long conflict is the main and the final cause behind the current change in the country.
March 12	Unified CPN-Maoist has called for a bandh (general shut down) in Bheri and Karnali zones for two days starting from March 13 over the death of their leader Rishi Gautam, who was knocked down by a passenger bus on March 11, 2010. MJF and Tharu organisations announced their respective struggle plans to have their demands met by the Government. CPN-UML has decided to reorganise and reactivate its youth wing, Youth Force (YF), which the party had declared defunct in December 2008- six months after it was formed. CoAS General Chhatra Man Singh Gurung has made it clear that it will be difficult to integrate "politically indoctrinated" Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army in bulk.
March 13	The US has ruled out taking the Unified CPN-Maoist off its terrorist list until the Maoists have completely renounced violence.
March 14	Police arrested a cadre of the Unified CPN-Maoist, Sunita KC, with a 9-mm pistol and bullets from Chabahil of Kathmandu District. The main opposition Unified CPN-Maoist is preparing to challenge the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led Government by tabling a no confidence motion against it at the Parliament. As the Maoists make hefty preparation to float a no confidence motion against the Government, Minister for Information and Communication Shanker Pokharel has said that the Government will face the Maoist challenge in a strong manner.