E-Paper
Nepali Cong not to launch para-military force
A section of the ruling Nepali Congress in Nepal has abandoned its plan to launch a para-military force called Tarun Dasta following intervention of the party leadership, reports Utpal Parashar.
A section of the ruling Nepali Congress in Nepal has abandoned its plan to launch a para-military force called Tarun Dasta following intervention of the party leadership.
Three senior leaders of the party including former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had planned to form such a force to counter the opposition Maoist’s para-military-like youth wing—Young Communist League.
But a warning by acting president Sushil Koirala to take action against those forming such a force led the leaders to drop the official launch plan at Sindhupalchowk in central Nepal on Saturday.
Koirala warned that such a force could lead to escalation of violence and hurt the party’s public image.
The move to create the force came at a time when Nepali Congress and the other main ruling party CPN (UML) are pressurizing the Maoists to dissolve YCL, which is involved in violence and intimidation.
CPN (UML) already has Youth Force, a unit similar to YCL, and the units of both parties frequently get involved in attacks on each other.
Although the launch was abandoned, leaders told a gathering that had collected for the event that there is a need for such a force.
“A time might come in future when there is a clash with the Maoists. A force is needed for such eventuality,” said NC standing committee member Khum Bahadur Khadka at the meeting in Sindhupalchowk.
Nearly 1500 young boys and girls dressed grey overalls who were to be part of Tarun Dasta’s first wing had gathered at the meeting for the launch.
