250 complaints of code of conduct violation

The ceasefire code of conduct monitoring national committee has said that it has received 250 complaints of violations of code of conduct by both the sides.

Speaking at a press meet on Monday, organized to make public its first “observation” report on the 25-point ceasefire code of conduct signed between the government and the Maoists on May 18, one of the members of the committee, Tara Nath Dahal, said that the committee has received complaints from individual as well as media of violations of code of conduct by both sides.

The report was submitted to the government and the Maoist talks teams on July 28.

The committee concluded that the separate letters written by the government and the Maoists to the United Nations seeking its help in the management of arms was against the spirit of the 12-point understanding and clause 3 of the code of conduct.

It said the government also violated the agreement by unilaterally writing the letter to the United Nations.

The report has pointed out that some of the industries have not resumed full operation due to pressure from the trade unions of the Maoists and other political parties.

It also said that the Nepali Army was found to have used schools as barracks and security camps and that they have not withdrawn their camps from educational institutions.

Leaders of the seven-party alliance and the Maoists were also found to have made provocative statements affecting the peace process. Both sides tried to influence the media, the report said.
The report also alleged that both sides did not show willingness to withdraw charges and cases against persons and make public the status of the disappeared even though the code says that such problems would be addressed.

Coordinator of the ceasefire monitoring national committee, Dr Birendra P Mishra, said they would come up with particular cases of the violation of the code in the next report after the seven teams currently in field observation return