Maoists throw shoe at Indian envoy's car, Prachanda apologises

Maoist activists on Wednesday received Indian ambassador Rakesh Sood with black flags at Faplu, in the northeast of Nepal, to protest what they claim to be India's interference in Nepal's internal affairs.

A shoe was also thrown at the vehicle that Sood was travelling in by the group which was led by Gopal Kiranti, a Maoist Central Committee member and a former Minister. Sood had gone to Salleri, headquarters of Solukumnu district in the foothill of Mt Everest, to inaugurate an eye care camp organised by the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh under the School Eye Health Care Programme. The camp had been organised with financial assistance from India.

Apparently, Prachanda, chief of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (UCPN-M) spoke to Sood over the phone and "apologised" for the misconduct of his party workers. Prachanda is also believed to have asked Kiranti not to hinder Sood's programme.

"India's continued support to Nepal in its development and humanitarian project is a proof that India has tremendous love and good-will for Nepal and her people," Sood said, while inaugurating the eye camp. Around 800 children will be screened and provided eye care during the camp. Altogether 75,000 people have been provided eye care, including cataract operations, in the past nine years because of the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme.

Interestingly, Kiranti was the one who was responsible for the ouster of Indian priests from the Pashupatinath temple when he was the Minister for Culture.