Baidya: Prachanda’s party should be held accountable for weapons

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s senior Maoist leader Mohan Baidya aka “Kiran” has claimed that his one-time disciple and present contender UCPN Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal has retained all 32 units of war-era arms with himself.

Defending accusations that his party was not returning arms, as called upon by the incumbent governnment, Baidya said that his party had not taken any arms while separating from the UCPN Maoist.

He claimed that while separating he had his personal pistol with him but added that the pistol was snatched away by police from his body guard.

“I had only one pistol with me. But the police has taken away that too from my guard,” Baidya said adding that he has already taken this issue at the Special Committee meeting and with Prachanda himself.

” All the weapons that the Maoist were allowed to poses during the peace process are in UCPN Maoist’s custody,” Baidya said while ascertaining that Nepal government had allowed the Maoist to keep 32 arms for senior leaders protection.

He said that the government should seek clarification from UCPN Maoist for the arms as his own party has not taken any arms.

The issue was raised after the government issued directives to the Maoist parties for submitting all their arms within April 14.

Though the Maoist leaders have claimed that the possessed only 32 arms, sources near Nepal Army claimed that the count was 38.