In the wee hours of Tuesday, members of the UCPN (Maoist) attacked leaders of the CPN-UML, Constituent Assembly (CA) chairman and House marshals besides vandalising the assembly hall, reports said.
Multiple accounts in the media said the Maoist MPs sprung to action after CA Chairman Subas Nembang allotted time to Nepali Congress Chief Whip Chinkaji Shrestha to table the proposal for the formation of a committee to develop questionnaires on the disputed issues of the new Constitution.
The Maoists – along with Madhes-based parties – were opposing the efforts of the CA chairman and ruling party members to formally begin the process of discussion in the assembly over the new Constitution. Members from the Madhes parties did not participate in the attack, though some members shouted slogans.
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, according to the reports, was present in the assembly and did not intervene even when microphones were being hurled at Mr. Nembang, UML Chief K P Oli and vice chairman of the party, Bidya Devi Bhandari.
The marshals were also attacked when they tried to prevent the UCPN (Maoist) CA members from assaulting others.
With the situation going out of control, CA chairman adjourned the meeting of the assembly until 1 p.m. Tuesday. Even after Mr. Nembang and the ruling party MPs left the House, the Maoist lawmakers continued breaking chairs and microphones.
CA Chair Nembang condemned the attacks. Mr. Oli said the Maoists were determined not to allow the CA pass the new Constitution. However, Chief Whip of the UCPN (Maoist) Giriraj Mani Pokharel blamed Mr. Nembang, saying he should be held responsible for the incident.
