'Maoists begin military training, fresh recruitment'
Kathmandu: Nepal's Maoists began military
training for its cadres and fresh recruitment as they stepped
up their anti-government protests amid threats by the ruling
alliance to deploy heavy force to maintain law and order, a
news report said today.
Nepal has placed its army and police forces on high
alert as the Maoists staged rallies and paralysed government
offices across the country to dislodge the 22-party coalition
in a dispute with the President over the reinstatement of the
former army chief.
The UCPN-Maoists, who earlier warned the government
that they would be compelled to take up arms if force was used
to quell the protest, have recruited scores of youths and
began to impart military training in Sindhuli district.
More than 100 youths were receiving military training
at Madhutar in the district headquarters for the last one
week, the Kantipur online said.
"My dream of becoming a Maoist combatant materialised
as the party recently announced recruitment," said Ritu Lama,
a 16-year-old from Kamalamai Municipality-3. She has been
training along with her friends as new recruits to the Maoist
guerrilla force.
"I am undergoing training now so that I can fight
against foes on behalf of the party," the Nepalese news portal
quoted Lama, who showed off a leg wound sustained during the
training.
The Maoists were providing training to the activists
of its youth wing, Young Communist League (YCL), who were
selected from 13 areas of the district, according to a report
based on Maoists' sources.
Bureau Report