Nepal slams Maoist threat to Indian firm

The threat by Nepal’s Maoists to stop work by an Indian firm-led consortium on the 300 MW Upper Karnali hydro-power project has evoked criticism from several quarters.

The threat by Nepal’s Maoists to stop work by an Indian firm-led consortium on the 300 MW Upper Karnali hydro-power project has evoked criticism from several quarters.

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Locals, political parties and the business community have condemned the main opposition party, Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), for asking GMR-ITD Consortium to stop work on the project by Sunday on the ground that it was not in “Nepal’s favour”.

“When the Maoists were in power they kept mum, and now that they are in opposition, they are protesting,” said Dambar G.C., a senior leader of the ruling Nepali Congress.

The threat is part of UCPN (M) strategy of targeting India. In recent weeks, Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has demanded return of India-occupied Nepali soil and relook at all treaties between the two neighbours.

Reports say locals in the area bordering Surkhet, Accham and Dailekh districts (where the project is located) have asked the Maoists to take back the threat as it would affect the region’s development.

The project that is expected to be completed in 2016. It would supply 12 per cent of the total power free of cost to Nepal.