Nepal Maoists seize King's property

KATHAMNDU: Blaming the government for failing to fulfill its commitment to nationalise the properties of the King, Nepal Maoists have begun seizing 'royal properties' in Kathmandu.

"The parliament has failed to formulate laws on capturing land belonging to the king, as such the Young Communist League (YCL) will now capture all such land and use it for the public," Central committee member of the CPN-Maoist Hitman Shakya said.

Already under fire for engaging in extra-constitutional activities like holding courts, policing and abductions, the Maoist-affiliated YCL has now announced a fresh campaign of seizing 'royal properties.'

The YCL cadres announced that they had "nationalised" 99 ropanis of royal land in Bhaktapur's Sallaghari area on Saturday.

Shakya, Coordinator of 'New Kathmandu Valley Campaign', announced the launch of their drive by planting a tree-sapling on the land, said to be in the name of late prince Nirajan.

Shakya said they were taking the initiative since the government has been unable to fulfill its commitment to nationalise the royal properties.

It is the first time the Maoists have declared the seizure of a royal property in the Kathmandu valley, the Nepal News online said on Sunday.