To ratify or not to ratify the MCC , that is the question

Confusion regarding the MCC grant by the United Stated seems to have no end, as handful of fringe communist parties in Nepal continue to stage demonstration and protest about it.

The debate of ratifying the MCC through the House of Representative is heating the political atmosphere in the country after Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba declared to table the issue at the parliament today.

However, as many as eight fringe communist parties continue to stage protest against the MCC including the ruling  Nepal Communist Party – Unified Socialist.

Today, the government had declared to table the much heated MCC at the parliament. But, before the meeting even started hundreds of cadres of these parties marched towards the parliment and tried to breech the restriction areas. Earlier, Netra Bikram Chand led Nepal Communist Party, which was outlawed by the government until last year, had called for nation-wide lockdwon called Nepal Bandh.

During today's protest at least 150 people were arrested the police in Kathmandu for engaging in various violent activities organised as a protest against the MCC.

A serious clash took place today noon between protesters of various fringe communist parties and security force. Scores of cadres of CPN US along with supporters of some fringe communist party had joined a march from Maitighar and New Baneshwor.

The agrressive participants of the protest program were shouting offensive slogans agianst the US from the very beginnning. After the angry participants tried to breach the  'restricted area' towards the House of Representatives they were met by riot police.

Police opened water cannon, baton charge and even fired around a dozen of tear gas to dispurse the angry mob. In return the protestors also charged the police with bricks and stones.

At least 15 police personnel were hurt during the clash from police side while around three protestors were hurt. Later police arrested around 100 protestors including 10 women from the site. All those arrested were held until late evening at Nepal Police Health Club at Bhrikutimandap.

Police said that the protestors would be released after they agreed to sign a document claiming they won't involve in such activities henceforth.

Similarly, around 50 cadres of Chand led CPN including three women were held from various parts in the Kathmandu valley today morning. The CPN had called for Nepal Banda today against the ruling Nepali Congress's declaration to table MCC at the House of Parliament today. Although the Nepal Banda was largly dodged by the public today the CPN cadres had joined corner meeting around major city centers organising protest against the MCC.

Meanwhile, the HoR was deferred today until friday. While PM Deuba who had been lobbying to ratify the MCC through all party support has backtracked from his stance today.