The Chinese government is all set to build a new road within Nepali territory on the Nepal-China border from Syprubesi to Rasuwagadi in northern Nepal, within two years.
Maheshwor Lal Shrestha, Senior Division Engineer at the Department of Roads (DoR), said the China government has already completed a survey and prepared the design for the road.
"The construction of the new road along the border with China will not only increase economic activities in Nepal, but also help boost trade and commerce between China and India," Shrestha told this daily today.
According to him, once the road is built, it will be the shortest route for transportation of goods between China and India through Nepali territory. The nearest current border point is Tatopani in Sindhupalchowk district, but the Birjung-Kathamandu-Nuwakot-Rasuwagadhi route will be shorter than the route connecting the Tatopani checkpoint.
"Nepal would be collecting revenues and the locals of Rasuwa would also be able to easily export their local products to China," he said.
The total length of the new road is around 16 kms and is 4.5 meters wide. Out of the total width, China would gravel 3.5 meters. Eight big and three small bridges lie within the road where the total carriageway of the bridge is 7 meters. The road initially goes along Bhote Koshi that passes by Linlin and Timure villages that are situated 1,698 meters and on 1,736 meters above the sea level respectively.
The road ends at 1,819 meter at Rashuwagadhi. According to Shrestha, the total estimated cost for construction of the road is around 165 million Yuan (NRs 1,419 million). The consultant and the contractor would be finalised by
the end of this month and if they arrive here on time, the construction would start by the end of February 2008, he added.
He said the DoR would be playing the role of Liaison office for the construction of the road. "All the skilled manpower would be hired from China and other labourers would be hired by the contractors on the basis of cost effectiveness," he stated, adding: "A bridge from Rasuwagadhi to Tibet would be constructed by the Chinese government later after the completion of the road."
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Prachanda, Nepal try to bridge NC, Maoist gulf
Maoist chairman Prachanda and CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal met today at the latter's residence at Koteshwor to explore a common ground between the stands held by the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Maoists over two key issues of republic and election procedures.
Talking to this daily about the meeting, UML standing committee member Bamdev Gautam said the Maoist leadership sought the UML's backing on their two proposals tabled at the special session of the interim parliament on declaring the country a republic before the CA polls and election on an all-out proportional representation basis.
Gautam, who also attended the meeting, said they asked the Maoist leadership to back the UML's proposals on the issues.
"UML's amendment proposals tabled at the special session of the interim parliament is intended at finding an understanding between the NC's and the Maoist's stands," said UML's another standing committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikari.
He blamed the NC for not taking any initiative to find an amicable solution to the political crisis.
For election procedures, the UML is learnt to have proposed that election for 40 per cent of the total number of seats of the Constituent Assembly be held on the first-past-the-post basis and for 60 per cent on proportional representation basis. "This is a modality proposed to find a middle path between the NC's and Maoist's stands," Adhikari added.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
गैरआवासीय नेपालीहरुको सम्मेलन सम्पन्न
नेपालमा दिगो शान्ति र लगानीका लागि उपयुक्त वातावरण बनाउन सार्वजनिक आव्हान गर्दै विश्वभर छरिएर रहेका गैर आवासीय नेपालीहरुको तेस्रो विश्व सम्मेलन बुधबार काठमाण्डूमा सम्पन्न भएको छ। from http://www.bbc.co.uk/nepali
सम्मेलनका एनआरएन भनेर चिनिने गैर आवासीय नेपाली सहभागीहरुले एनआरएनहरुलाई नेपाली नागरिकता दिने सरकारी आश्वासनको स्वागत गरेका छन्।
सम्मेलन उपेन्द्र महतोको अध्यक्षतामा एउटा नयाँ समितिको चयन गर्दै १५ बुँदे घोषणा जारी गरेर टुङ्गिएको छ।
अधिकांश सहभागीहरुले प्रधानमन्त्री गिरिजाप्रसाद कोइरालादेखि माओवादी नेताहरुसम्मले आफुहरुसंग भेटेर अन्तर्क्रिया गर्नुले एनआरएनहरुको मनोबल र आत्मविश्वाश बढाएको बताए।
आदानप्रदान
गैरआवासीय नेपाली संघका महासचिव भीम उदासले भने, "पहिलो पटक हामीसंग प्रधानमन्त्रीलगायत अन्य नेताहरुले भेट गरेर विचारहरुको आदानप्रदान भएको छ। यसले हाम्रो हौसला बढाएको छ।"
संघका अनुसार विश्वका ५५ देशमा २० लाख भन्दा बढी गैरआवासीय नेपालीहरु छरिएर रहेका छन्।
सम्मेलनमा भाग लिन ४० भन्दा बढी देशका ४०० भन्दा बढी सहभागीहरु नेपाल आएका थिए।
उनीहरु मध्ये एक थिए कतारको राजधानी दोहामा १४ बर्ष अघि रोजगारीका लागि गएका गोरखा जिल्ला घर भएका बद्रि प्रसाद पाण्डे।
अहिले उनले दोहामा एउटा ठूलो निर्माण कम्पनी चलाइरहेको बताए।
कतारका एनआरएन प्रतिनिधि समेत रहेका पाण्डेले नेपालमा अझसम्म पनि लगानीको लागि उपयुक्त वातावरण बन्न नसकेको भन्दै चिन्ता व्यक्त गरे।
उनले भने, "अझ पनि नेपालमा एनआरएनहरुको लगानीका लागि सहायक कानुन र नीति नियम बनीसकेको छैन। फेरि शान्ति सुरक्षाको समस्या पनि छ। हामीले अहिलेसम्म उचित वातावरण बन्न सकेको देखिराख्या छैनौं।"
विश्लेषकहरुका अनुसार यसपालीको एनआरएन सम्मेलनका सहभागीहरु पहिलेको तुलनामा बढी व्यवहारिक देखिएका छन्।
गैरआवासीय मामिला हेरीरहेका एकजना पत्रकार किरण नेपालले भने, "यसपाली मैले धेरै सहभागीहरु धरातलीय यथार्थलाई बुझ्दै काम गर्न उत्साहित रहेको पाएँ।"
सम्मेलनले वैदेशिक रोजगारमा गएकाहरु र विदेशमा पढीरहेका विद्यार्थीहरुलाई समेत एनआरएनको दर्जा दिंदै सुविधाहरु दिनु पर्नेमा जोड दिएको थियो।
विदेशमा काम गर्ने नेपालीहरुले आफ्नो कमाइ स्वदेशमा पठाउनाले अर्थतन्त्रमा ठूलो सघाउ पुगेको अधिकारीहरु बताउंछन्।
हाल झन्डै असी देखि सय अर्ब रुपियां बराबरको रेमिटान्स वर्षेनी नेपाल भित्रिने गरेको अनुमान गरिएको छ।
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Govt failed to implement agreements: Martin
Ian Martin, the special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General today said the current crisis in Nepal has resulted due to the failure to implement agreements on certain key issues.
Addressing a press conference at his office today, he stressed that the UNMIN had to take a decision on the immediate future of its electoral personnel, while standing ready to provide whatever support is requested when the constituent assembly polls are rescheduled.
According to him, the lack of progress within the government to discuss the future of Maoist combatants, in ensuring adequate conditions in the cantonments and commencing serious parleys on security sector reform have all contributed to the Maoist concern that the government is not fulfilling its commitments.
"This is a moment when the political parties, civil society and all Nepalis should not just consider a new election date, but should focus on sustaining and deepening the peace process as a whole and develop a road-map of measures that are necessary to create the conditions for credible polls," he said.
He, however, refused to provide clear opinion on the electoral system and the declaration of a republic. "These are for the Nepalis to decide, just as this entire peace process has been a Nepali process," he said, adding that this would not be easy, and it is not for the UN to take a position on the two issues that would be debated in the Interim Parliament tomorrow.
He pointed out that Nepal's traditionally marginalised groups remain concerned that commitments made to them are not being fulfilled.
Reiterating that the UN would continue to assist the efforts to establish durable peace in Nepal, he said the latest report of the secretary-general would be made public next week and the week after that the security council will have a fuller discussion, when Martin himself would be in New York to brief them.
Martin added that the verification of Maoist army divisions in Rolpa would begin shortly. The UNMIN has completed verification at four of the seven Maoist army divisions.
Addressing a press conference at his office today, he stressed that the UNMIN had to take a decision on the immediate future of its electoral personnel, while standing ready to provide whatever support is requested when the constituent assembly polls are rescheduled.
According to him, the lack of progress within the government to discuss the future of Maoist combatants, in ensuring adequate conditions in the cantonments and commencing serious parleys on security sector reform have all contributed to the Maoist concern that the government is not fulfilling its commitments.
"This is a moment when the political parties, civil society and all Nepalis should not just consider a new election date, but should focus on sustaining and deepening the peace process as a whole and develop a road-map of measures that are necessary to create the conditions for credible polls," he said.
He, however, refused to provide clear opinion on the electoral system and the declaration of a republic. "These are for the Nepalis to decide, just as this entire peace process has been a Nepali process," he said, adding that this would not be easy, and it is not for the UN to take a position on the two issues that would be debated in the Interim Parliament tomorrow.
He pointed out that Nepal's traditionally marginalised groups remain concerned that commitments made to them are not being fulfilled.
Reiterating that the UN would continue to assist the efforts to establish durable peace in Nepal, he said the latest report of the secretary-general would be made public next week and the week after that the security council will have a fuller discussion, when Martin himself would be in New York to brief them.
Martin added that the verification of Maoist army divisions in Rolpa would begin shortly. The UNMIN has completed verification at four of the seven Maoist army divisions.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Monarchy battle at Nepal's parliament
Times of India on its website writes about the Latest status of Monarchy in Nepal
After fighting from the jungles for 10 years, Nepal's Maoists have finally taken the battle against king Gyanendra to parliament, with prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Tuesday agreeing to call a special session of the house and ask legislators to decide the once all-powerful monarch's fate.
Nepal's new constitution allows parliament to make the momentous decision if it thinks the king is trying to block the constituent assembly election that is supposed to seal the fate of his 238-year-old dynasty. If two-third of the MPs vote to abolish monarchy, Nepal's royal family would become a page in history.
Three days after the Maoists rustled up more than the number of legislators' signatures needed to demand a special house session, Koirala began consultations with the speaker, Subhash Chandra Nembang, to decide on the correct course of action. While both agreed that a special session would have to be called, the date was not named immediately since many of the sitting MPs are at present in their constituencies, having started campaigning or the 22 November election.
Nepal's new constitution allows parliament to make the momentous decision if it thinks the king is trying to block the constituent assembly election that is supposed to seal the fate of his 238-year-old dynasty. If two-third of the MPs vote to abolish monarchy, Nepal's royal family would become a page in history.
Three days after the Maoists rustled up more than the number of legislators' signatures needed to demand a special house session, Koirala began consultations with the speaker, Subhash Chandra Nembang, to decide on the correct course of action. While both agreed that a special session would have to be called, the date was not named immediately since many of the sitting MPs are at present in their constituencies, having started campaigning or the 22 November election.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Maoists Loot Poll Awareness Materials in Nuwakot
Maoist cadres looted election awareness and publicity materials from a workshop held by Conclave for Support for Constiuent Assembly, Women's Law and Development Forum and Bal Balika & Mahil Uddhar Samuh jointly in Kalikasthan of Rasuwa district on Monday.
Workshop coordinator Basant Bahadur Basnet told this daily that the workshop was being held in Kalika Himalaya higher secondary school when Maoist cadres led by Maoist district committee member Prem Tamang and Young Communist League district secretary Nakul barged into the classroom at 5 pm, snatched up all the teaching materials and walked away with these.
The particpants in the workshop were undergoing a mock voting exercise when the Maoists came and looted all the material, said Basnet. He added that they looted 5,000 sample ballot papers, 5,000 information booklets, 100 calendars, 20 swastika symbol stamps, all the stationery, handbills, posters and banners.
Maoist Rasuwa district incharge Anil Sharma (Birahi) admitted that Maoist cadres looted the poll awareness materials, and said that the organisers were spreading propaganda against the Maoists.
He said that the materials would be returned if the organisers agree not speak against the Maoists. Workshop coordinator Basnet denied that there was any anti-Maoist propaganda in the workshop.
Workshop coordinator Basant Bahadur Basnet told this daily that the workshop was being held in Kalika Himalaya higher secondary school when Maoist cadres led by Maoist district committee member Prem Tamang and Young Communist League district secretary Nakul barged into the classroom at 5 pm, snatched up all the teaching materials and walked away with these.
The particpants in the workshop were undergoing a mock voting exercise when the Maoists came and looted all the material, said Basnet. He added that they looted 5,000 sample ballot papers, 5,000 information booklets, 100 calendars, 20 swastika symbol stamps, all the stationery, handbills, posters and banners.
Maoist Rasuwa district incharge Anil Sharma (Birahi) admitted that Maoist cadres looted the poll awareness materials, and said that the organisers were spreading propaganda against the Maoists.
He said that the materials would be returned if the organisers agree not speak against the Maoists. Workshop coordinator Basnet denied that there was any anti-Maoist propaganda in the workshop.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Kantipur House gets respite thru court
The Patan Appellate Court today directed Maoist-affiliated trade union All Nepal Federation of Trade Union (ANFTU) not to disrupt publication of Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post.
The Maoists-affiliated trade union disrupted the publications of the two newspapers today and had obstructed collection of advertisements yesterday.
A single bench of Judge Jagadish Sharma Paudel issued the stay order following today's hearing on the writ petition filed by managing director of Kantipur Publications Kailash Sirohiya.
"Since the freedom of speech and right to information are the fundamental rights enshrined by the Interim Constitution of Nepal 2007, the disruption of publishing newspapers is against the rights of the public to get information," the bench stated.
Ordering the trade union not to launch any act of hooliganism and gherao on the premises of the publication, the bench issued the order under Rule 33 (a) of the Appellate Court Regulation 1991.
The bench said that the stay order would exist until the trade union explains its actions in writing to it.
The Maoists-affiliated trade union disrupted the publications of the two newspapers today and had obstructed collection of advertisements yesterday.
A single bench of Judge Jagadish Sharma Paudel issued the stay order following today's hearing on the writ petition filed by managing director of Kantipur Publications Kailash Sirohiya.
"Since the freedom of speech and right to information are the fundamental rights enshrined by the Interim Constitution of Nepal 2007, the disruption of publishing newspapers is against the rights of the public to get information," the bench stated.
Ordering the trade union not to launch any act of hooliganism and gherao on the premises of the publication, the bench issued the order under Rule 33 (a) of the Appellate Court Regulation 1991.
The bench said that the stay order would exist until the trade union explains its actions in writing to it.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Bandh Hits Life in Terai Districts
Normal life various Terai districts remained crippled today due to separate bandh called by Maoists and the dissident faction of the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum led by Bhagya Nath Gupta.
Life in five districts in the Mithila region was crippled today due to a bandh called by the CPN-Maoist's Mithila sub-committee against the killing of a Maoist district committee member Girendra Yadav by a gang in Mahottari a few days ago.
Transport services, educational activities and markets remained closed in Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha, Saptari and Sarlahi. Maoists had called a two-day bandh beginning from today.
Meanwhile, life in other Terai districts was crippled due to a Terai bandh called by the MJF led by Gupta. The MJF faction called the bandh to protest the Kapilvastu killings and demanding proportional system for CA polls.
Meanwhile, life in Sunsari was also affected by a bandh called by locals to protest the beating up of a str eet vendor by an Armed Police Force personnel on Wednesday.
At least 13 persons were injured on Thursday after locals clashed with police over the same issue.
Life in five districts in the Mithila region was crippled today due to a bandh called by the CPN-Maoist's Mithila sub-committee against the killing of a Maoist district committee member Girendra Yadav by a gang in Mahottari a few days ago.
Transport services, educational activities and markets remained closed in Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha, Saptari and Sarlahi. Maoists had called a two-day bandh beginning from today.
Meanwhile, life in other Terai districts was crippled due to a Terai bandh called by the MJF led by Gupta. The MJF faction called the bandh to protest the Kapilvastu killings and demanding proportional system for CA polls.
Meanwhile, life in Sunsari was also affected by a bandh called by locals to protest the beating up of a str eet vendor by an Armed Police Force personnel on Wednesday.
At least 13 persons were injured on Thursday after locals clashed with police over the same issue.
13 Injured as Police, Locals Clash in Duhabi
Ten agitators and three policemen were injured in a clash with locals in Duhabi of Sunsari district last night and this morning over the issue of checking the documents of motorcycles. Havaldar Bhale Bhujel was injured last night when a mob attacked him while constables Kaman Singh Rai and Deepak Danuwar were injured in another incident on Thursday. The condition of agitator Satish Shah, who has been taken to Koshi zonal hospital, is said to be critical.
After on Thursday's clash, an enraged mob went on the rampage and vandalised 22 vehicles, police said. The Duhabi bazaar shut down while vehicles stayed off the Duhabi road section. Transport entrepreneurs staged a counter-agitation against the vandalism. Rampaging locals also hurled a petrol bomb at a police vehicle this afternoon. Tension has mounted in the area after these incidents.
Police fired three rounds in the air to disperse the mob.
Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers to control the situation. The whole day, angry locals pelted police with stones and clashed with them.
The situation turned ugly last night when a police constable got into an argument with a chatpate seller. Claiming that he was manhandled, the seller and some 70 others thrashed constable Bhale Bhujel to within an inch of his life. Bhujel has received 30 stitches in his head and is being treated at the Biratnagar hospital.
After on Thursday's clash, an enraged mob went on the rampage and vandalised 22 vehicles, police said. The Duhabi bazaar shut down while vehicles stayed off the Duhabi road section. Transport entrepreneurs staged a counter-agitation against the vandalism. Rampaging locals also hurled a petrol bomb at a police vehicle this afternoon. Tension has mounted in the area after these incidents.
Police fired three rounds in the air to disperse the mob.
Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers to control the situation. The whole day, angry locals pelted police with stones and clashed with them.
The situation turned ugly last night when a police constable got into an argument with a chatpate seller. Claiming that he was manhandled, the seller and some 70 others thrashed constable Bhale Bhujel to within an inch of his life. Bhujel has received 30 stitches in his head and is being treated at the Biratnagar hospital.
Friday, September 21, 2007
UK urges PM, Maoists to find ways to hold polls
The visiting UK Minister for Asia, Shahid Malik, today urged Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the CPN-Maoist to find ways to hold elections to the Constituent Assembly on November 22.
He also announced a fresh $ 8m British aid for the Nepal Peace Trust Fund (NPTF) that would also include support for the election. This is part of the overall $26m British aid announced earlier this year for NPTF. Malik said the parties, despite the Maoists' pullout from the government, are committed to the peace process and Constituent Assembly polls.
Stating that credible CA polls would offer the best hope for maintaining peace and development, Malik warned that if the elections were not held on schedule, Nepal would lose confidence in the political and peace processes.
"No party would want that to happen; everyone I met understands that at least the peace process should go on. People have very high expectations, and a free, fair and representative election on November 22 would develop confidence in the political process," said Malik at a press conference.
He said that the UK wanted to play any role to push people on the track of peace process and added: "When I met PM Koirala and Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai, I spoke to them about the disappointment at the decision of the Maoists to pull-out from the government."
Malik expressed his confidence that the Prime Minister and CPN-Maoist were committed to making the peace process work. "I am cautiously optimistic that over the coming days and weeks this will be possible. For all political parties, November 22 should not just be about winning elections, but about winning the peace."
The British minister said peace and development go hand in hand, and urged the government to move forward with both. "The UK is committed to providing support for both in the years ahead. The future of Nepal does not just belong to a elite minority but to all the people," he said. Malik will leave tomorrow. He met PM Koirala this morning. He also met Minister for Health, Giri Raj Mani Pokhrel, and Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, Ram Chandra Poudel.
Malik meets Bhattarai
KATHMANDU: British Minister for Asia, Shahid Malik, today met Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai at the latter's residence in Naya Bazaar. They discussed the latest political development after the Maoists decided to quit the government, according to a release issued by Bhattarai's personal assistant, Bishwodip Pandey.
The release said Malik said the peace process may get derailed following the Maoist's decision to quit the government and its announcement of agitation. Malik said his government "would try its best to keep the peace process intact".
Dr Bhattarai told Malik the peace process would not derail if an accord was reached to declare a republic and all parties agreed to go for polls based on a proportional representation system. —
He also announced a fresh $ 8m British aid for the Nepal Peace Trust Fund (NPTF) that would also include support for the election. This is part of the overall $26m British aid announced earlier this year for NPTF. Malik said the parties, despite the Maoists' pullout from the government, are committed to the peace process and Constituent Assembly polls.
Stating that credible CA polls would offer the best hope for maintaining peace and development, Malik warned that if the elections were not held on schedule, Nepal would lose confidence in the political and peace processes.
"No party would want that to happen; everyone I met understands that at least the peace process should go on. People have very high expectations, and a free, fair and representative election on November 22 would develop confidence in the political process," said Malik at a press conference.
He said that the UK wanted to play any role to push people on the track of peace process and added: "When I met PM Koirala and Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai, I spoke to them about the disappointment at the decision of the Maoists to pull-out from the government."
Malik expressed his confidence that the Prime Minister and CPN-Maoist were committed to making the peace process work. "I am cautiously optimistic that over the coming days and weeks this will be possible. For all political parties, November 22 should not just be about winning elections, but about winning the peace."
The British minister said peace and development go hand in hand, and urged the government to move forward with both. "The UK is committed to providing support for both in the years ahead. The future of Nepal does not just belong to a elite minority but to all the people," he said. Malik will leave tomorrow. He met PM Koirala this morning. He also met Minister for Health, Giri Raj Mani Pokhrel, and Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, Ram Chandra Poudel.
Malik meets Bhattarai
KATHMANDU: British Minister for Asia, Shahid Malik, today met Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai at the latter's residence in Naya Bazaar. They discussed the latest political development after the Maoists decided to quit the government, according to a release issued by Bhattarai's personal assistant, Bishwodip Pandey.
The release said Malik said the peace process may get derailed following the Maoist's decision to quit the government and its announcement of agitation. Malik said his government "would try its best to keep the peace process intact".
Dr Bhattarai told Malik the peace process would not derail if an accord was reached to declare a republic and all parties agreed to go for polls based on a proportional representation system. —
Monday, September 17, 2007
India says holding CA polls on time in Nepal of 'critical importance'
Kathmandu, Sept. 16 (PTI): India today said holding Constituent Assembly polls in Nepal on schedule and in a free and fair manner was of "critical importance" even as a Maoist threat to walk out of the interim government cast a shadow on the landmark November elections.
"India acknowledges the critical importance of the elections to the Constituent Assembly, as scheduled and in an environment free of fear and intimidation," Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said at a press conference here wrapping up his hectic two-day visit to the Himalayan country.
Menon, who met top Nepalese political leadership including Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chief Prachanda, extended full support to Nepal in its "transition to democracy" and sought early conclusion of the peace process.
The meetings came as a two-day deadline set by Prachanda before Koirala to fulfil the 22-point demand of the Maoists, including declaring Nepal a republican state immediately, was due to expire tomorrow.
The Maoists have threatened to quit the unity government, which they joined early this year in accordance with a peace deal they inked to end the decade-long violence, if their demands are not met.
Menon also offered India's support and material help to conduct the elections.
During his talks with CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, Menon said India wanted to see Nepal's peace process concluded swiftly and political stability brought to the country, according to party sources.
Two killed in Nepal riots, curfew imposed
A policeman was killed and hundreds of houses and vehicles were torched on Sunday in riots sparked by the murder of a Madhesi leader in western Nepal prompting authorities to impose an indefinite curfew in the area.
An armed Police Force man was killed during the violent clash that broke out after unidentified gunmen killed Mohit Khan in Kapilvastu district on Sunday morning, according to officials.
Khan was chief of the district's vigilante group, set up to counter the Maoists during the armed conflict.
Local residents and supporters of Khan staged protests, which soon turned violent, prompting the authorities to clamp curfew in parts of Rupandehi and Kapilvastu districts.
Protesters lobbed a bomb at an Armed Police Force team at Chanuata, killing Constable Hasan Puri.
The irate locals set ablaze a mosque at Butawal Municipality and also set on fire a Maoist contact office at Taulihawa alleging that those who killed Khan were the Maoist cadres.
The mob also vandalised a dozen vehicles including two having Indian number plates and looted a dozen shops and restaurants in the area. Police said at least 300 houses in the Chandrauta area have been set ablaze.
Curfew was imposed in the afternoon for indefinite period to control the situation.
An armed Police Force man was killed during the violent clash that broke out after unidentified gunmen killed Mohit Khan in Kapilvastu district on Sunday morning, according to officials.
Khan was chief of the district's vigilante group, set up to counter the Maoists during the armed conflict.
Local residents and supporters of Khan staged protests, which soon turned violent, prompting the authorities to clamp curfew in parts of Rupandehi and Kapilvastu districts.
Protesters lobbed a bomb at an Armed Police Force team at Chanuata, killing Constable Hasan Puri.
The irate locals set ablaze a mosque at Butawal Municipality and also set on fire a Maoist contact office at Taulihawa alleging that those who killed Khan were the Maoist cadres.
The mob also vandalised a dozen vehicles including two having Indian number plates and looted a dozen shops and restaurants in the area. Police said at least 300 houses in the Chandrauta area have been set ablaze.
Curfew was imposed in the afternoon for indefinite period to control the situation.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
7 dead, over 25 missing as boat capsizes in Rapti River
At least seven persons, including a two-and-a-half year old baby, drowned and over 25 others went missing when an overcrowded boat capsized in the swollen Rapti River in midwestern Banke district Wednesday afternoon.
The boat carrying some 40 passengers sank near Gobarpur area in Baijapur VDC, some 55 kilometers north-east of Nepalgunj, reports quoting the police said. The boat was heading for Kachanapur from Baijapur.
Rescuers recovered bodies of four women, two girls and a youth from the river while search for other missing people is still going on. Twelve persons saved themselves by swimming ashore while local rescued two girls.
Among the dead, two are identified as 17-year-old girl Hira Thapa and the daughter of Suresh Basnet of Baijapur. Mother of the deceased girl is also missing Two injured have been admitted to Bheri Zonal Hospital for treatment.
Reports quoted survivors as saying boat overloading and flooding in the river resulted in the accident. The boat had a maximum capacity of a dozen persons.
Meanwhile, police said separate teams of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force have been mobilized for carrying out search & rescue operations in the area
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
तराईका समूहहरुमा फूट
तराईमा सकृय मधेशी जनअधिकार फोरम राजनीतिक दलमा परिणत भएको ६ महिना नबित्दै टुक्रिएको छ।
मधेश आन्दोलनबाट चर्चामा आएको फोरम र सरकारबीच भएको २२ बुंदे सहमतिको विरोध गर्दै केही नेताहरूले संयोजक उपेन्द्र यादवलाई साधारण सदस्यबाट निलम्वन गरेको घोषणा गरेका छन्।
सात सदस्यीय सचिवालय समितिका चार जनाले बहुमतबाट संयोजक यादवलाई निलम्बन गरेको जनाएका छन्।
तर यादव पक्षधरहरुले हाल सचिवालय गठन नै नभएको जनाउंदै केन्द्रीय समितिको निर्णयलेमात्र सदस्यताबाट निलम्बन गर्न सकिने तर्क अगाडि सारेका छन्।
अर्को तर्फ सशस्त्र विद्रोहमा उत्रेको जनतान्त्रिक तराई मुक्ति मोर्चामा निष्काशन र नयाँ समूह खोल्ने क्रम जारी छ।
आशा र निराशा
हाम्रा जनकपुरस्थित संवाददाता भन्छन्, हालै सरकार र फोरमबीच सहमति भएपछि तराईमा समेत संविधानसभाको चुनावले गति लिने अपेक्षा गरिएको थियो।
तर उनी भन्छन्, केही सत्तारुढ दल र तराईका सशस्त्र समूहहरुले सहमतिको कडा विरोध गर्न थालेपछि फोरम र सरकारबीचको सहमति चुनावका लागि खासै प्रभावकारी हुन नसक्ने देखिएको छ।
फोरमको एउटा समूहले संविधानसभाको चुनावमा सकृय रुपले भाग लिने बताएपनि अर्को असन्तुष्ट पक्षले चुनावमा भाग नलिने संकेत दिदै संघर्षका कार्यक्रमहरु सार्वजनिक गरेकोछ।
दुवै पक्षले आफूलाइ आधिकारिक भएको दावी गरिरहेका छन्।
सरकार र फोरमबीचको सहमतिलाई ऐतिहासिक भनिए पनि अब त्यसको कार्यान्वयन हुने नहुनेमा आशंका उब्जिएको छ।
संयोजक यादवलाइ निलम्वन गरेको बताउंदै असन्तुष्ट पक्षका एकजना सचिवालय सदस्य जीतेन्द्र सोनलले यस अघि पनि सचिवालयको निर्णयबाट विद्यार्थी फोरमका केन्द्रीय अध्यक्ष केशव झालाई हटाइएको बताए।
तर यादव पक्षका केन्द्रीय सदस्य बी पी यादवले केही मानिसले भन्दैमा कोही निलम्वन नहुने दावी गरे।
अर्को फूट
अर्को तर्फ छुट्टै तराई राज्यको माग गर्दै सशस्त्र विद्रोहमा उत्रिएको जनतान्त्रिक तराई मुक्ति मोर्चाबाट तेस्रो समूह बाहिरिएको छ।
जयकृष्ण गोइत संयोजक रहेको मोर्चाबाट अलग्गिएर ज्वाला सिंह, विष्फोट सिंह र पछिल्लो पटक पवनको नेतृत्वमा संगठन खोलिएकोछ।
पवनले अधिवेशनबाट गोइत र एक जना केन्द्रीय सदस्य प्रकाशलाई निष्कासन गरेको दावी गरेका छन्।
तर मोर्चाका केन्द्रीय सदस्य प्रकाशले संगठनको नीति विपरित चन्दा, अपहरण लगायतका कार्यहरू गरेकाले निष्काशनमा परेकाहरूले जनतामा भ्रम सृजना गर्न खोजेको आरोप लगाए।
तराईका समूहहरुमा फूट
तराईमा सकृय मधेशी जनअधिकार फोरम राजनीतिक दलमा परिणत भएको ६ महिना नबित्दै टुक्रिएको छ।
मधेश आन्दोलनबाट चर्चामा आएको फोरम र सरकारबीच भएको २२ बुंदे सहमतिको विरोध गर्दै केही नेताहरूले संयोजक उपेन्द्र यादवलाई साधारण सदस्यबाट निलम्वन गरेको घोषणा गरेका छन्।
सात सदस्यीय सचिवालय समितिका चार जनाले बहुमतबाट संयोजक यादवलाई निलम्बन गरेको जनाएका छन्।
तर यादव पक्षधरहरुले हाल सचिवालय गठन नै नभएको जनाउंदै केन्द्रीय समितिको निर्णयलेमात्र सदस्यताबाट निलम्बन गर्न सकिने तर्क अगाडि सारेका छन्।
अर्को तर्फ सशस्त्र विद्रोहमा उत्रेको जनतान्त्रिक तराई मुक्ति मोर्चामा निष्काशन र नयाँ समूह खोल्ने क्रम जारी छ।
आशा र निराशा
हाम्रा जनकपुरस्थित संवाददाता भन्छन्, हालै सरकार र फोरमबीच सहमति भएपछि तराईमा समेत संविधानसभाको चुनावले गति लिने अपेक्षा गरिएको थियो।
तर उनी भन्छन्, केही सत्तारुढ दल र तराईका सशस्त्र समूहहरुले सहमतिको कडा विरोध गर्न थालेपछि फोरम र सरकारबीचको सहमति चुनावका लागि खासै प्रभावकारी हुन नसक्ने देखिएको छ।
फोरमको एउटा समूहले संविधानसभाको चुनावमा सकृय रुपले भाग लिने बताएपनि अर्को असन्तुष्ट पक्षले चुनावमा भाग नलिने संकेत दिदै संघर्षका कार्यक्रमहरु सार्वजनिक गरेकोछ।
दुवै पक्षले आफूलाइ आधिकारिक भएको दावी गरिरहेका छन्।
सरकार र फोरमबीचको सहमतिलाई ऐतिहासिक भनिए पनि अब त्यसको कार्यान्वयन हुने नहुनेमा आशंका उब्जिएको छ।
संयोजक यादवलाइ निलम्वन गरेको बताउंदै असन्तुष्ट पक्षका एकजना सचिवालय सदस्य जीतेन्द्र सोनलले यस अघि पनि सचिवालयको निर्णयबाट विद्यार्थी फोरमका केन्द्रीय अध्यक्ष केशव झालाई हटाइएको बताए।
तर यादव पक्षका केन्द्रीय सदस्य बी पी यादवले केही मानिसले भन्दैमा कोही निलम्वन नहुने दावी गरे।
अर्को फूट
अर्को तर्फ छुट्टै तराई राज्यको माग गर्दै सशस्त्र विद्रोहमा उत्रिएको जनतान्त्रिक तराई मुक्ति मोर्चाबाट तेस्रो समूह बाहिरिएको छ।
जयकृष्ण गोइत संयोजक रहेको मोर्चाबाट अलग्गिएर ज्वाला सिंह, विष्फोट सिंह र पछिल्लो पटक पवनको नेतृत्वमा संगठन खोलिएकोछ।
पवनले अधिवेशनबाट गोइत र एक जना केन्द्रीय सदस्य प्रकाशलाई निष्कासन गरेको दावी गरेका छन्।
तर मोर्चाका केन्द्रीय सदस्य प्रकाशले संगठनको नीति विपरित चन्दा, अपहरण लगायतका कार्यहरू गरेकाले निष्काशनमा परेकाहरूले जनतामा भ्रम सृजना गर्न खोजेको आरोप लगाए।
'काठमाण्डू विष्फोट बर्बर एवम् अमानवीय'
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सरकारले काठमाण्डूमा आइतवार गराइएका बम विष्फोटहरुलाई आतंककारी र अमानवीय भन्दै संविधानसभा चुनावकालागि विशेष सुरक्षा अभियान शुरु गरेको बताएको छ। राजधानीका सार्वजनिक स्थल तथा परिवहनमा श्रृङखलावद्ध बम बिष्फोटन भएको एक दिन पछि बसेको मन्त्रीपरिषदको आपत्कालीन बैठकले सुरक्षा स्थितिको समीक्षा पनि गरेको थियो। सरकारले घाइतेहरुको उपचार खर्च ब्यहोर्ने जानकारी दिएको छ। मन्त्रिपरिषदले त्यस्ता कार्यलाई संविधानसभाको निर्वाचन बिथोल्ने नियोजित षडयन्त्रका रुपमा लिएको जनाएको छ। आइतवार त्रिपुरेश्वर, सुन्धारा र बालाजुमा लगभग एकै समयमा भएका बिष्फोटनमा परी विष्फोटनमा परी दुईजनाको ज्यान जानुकासाथै दुई दर्जन घाइते भएका थिए। प्रहरीले अनुसन्धानका क्रममा केही ब्यक्तिहरुलाई पक्राउ गरी सोधपुछ गर्दैरहेको जनाएको छ। बैठकपछि आठदलीय सरकारका प्रवक्ता तथा सूचना एवम् सन्चार मन्त्री कृष्णबहादुर महराले भने, "सरकारले अहिले सु्रक्षा स्थितिलाई कडा तुल्याउँदै अनुसन्धान शुरु गरेको छ र सबै नेपालीलाई संयमित हुन आग्रह गरेको छ। " 'सरकार अविचलित' महराले सरकार ती हमलाहरुबाट विचलित नभएको बताउदै सबै नेपालीहरुलाई, उनकै शब्दमा, संविधानसभा बिथोल्ने र आतंक फैल्याउने खालका षडयन्त्र र क्रियाकलापहरुलाई विफल तुल्याउन आग्रह गरे। उनले भने, "सरकार एकदम गम्भीर भएको छ र दलहरु मिलेर, सबै एकजुट भएर चुनौतीहरुको सामना गर्नुपर्छ।" सोमवार सांझ सम्म पनि एक दर्जन घाइतेहरु उपचार गराइरहेका थिए। एकजना विद्यार्थी गुमाएको र अन्य केही विद्यार्थी घाइते भएको त्रिपुरेश्वरस्थित विश्व निकेतन स्कुल शोकाकुल बन्न पुगेको छ। यसअघि खासै नाम नसुनिएका तीनवटा समूहहरु अगाडि आईसकेका छन्। बीबीसीसंग कुरा गर्दै गृह मन्त्रालयका प्रवक्ता वामनप्रसाद न्यौपानेले सरकारले त्यसबारे अनुसन्धान गरीरहेको बताए। देश संविधानसभाको चुनाव गराउन अग्रसर भैरहंदा गराईएका हमलाहरुको चौतर्फी निन्दा र भर्त्सना गरिएको छ। उता संविधान सभाको चुनावका लागि आवश्यक सुरक्षा प्रबन्ध मिलाउने विषयमा क्षेत्रीय स्तरमा छलफल गर्न गृहमन्त्री कृष्णप्रसाद सिटौला बिराटनगर पुगेका छन्। बिराटनगरस्थित बीबीसीका एकजना संवाददाता भन्छन्, "त्यहां उनले सबैलाई चुनाव शान्तिपूर्ण र तोकिएकै समयमा हुने कुरामा आश्वस्त तुल्याउने कोशिश गरेका थिए।" | |||||
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Kathmandu bomb leaves 38 injured
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The explosion struck a building of the government-owned Employees' Provident Fund that was under construction. No one has admitted the attack but police say it follows the pattern of raids by Maoist rebels. The Maoists have been waging an eight-year insurgency to replace the constitutional monarchy. More than 9,000 people have died.
Rickshaw park The BBC's Charles Haviland in Kathmandu says the blast happened in a congested central area not far from the army headquarters.
At the bomb site, dust filled the air and shards of glass filled the roadway outside the building. Many plate glass windows had been shattered or fallen away completely. A nearby stallholder said it had sounded as if the whole building was collapsing. Police told the BBC three young men had overpowered a security guard and run up the entrance staircase, leaving the explosive device by lifts. The men shouted to workers to leave the building, but moments later the bomb exploded. The building adjoins a rickshaw park and market and many of the injured were passengers and drivers of rickshaws. Most of those hurt were swiftly discharged from hospital although a few have been detained.
Our correspondent says the blast was one of the capital's biggest and the first attack there since a nine-day truce expired 12 days ago. There was a second bomb explosion on Tuesday at a government building in the town of Bhaktapur, just east of Kathmandu, according to the police. Two people were reported to have been wounded in the incident, which the authorities are also blaming on the Maoists. | ||
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Landmines Being Defused Nationwide: Poudel
The government has started the work of identifying, mapping, fencing and marking landmines in different parts of the country, planted during the decade-long insurgency, said Ram Chandra Poudel, Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, on Wednesday.
The government had formed a directional and technical committee under the coordination of Poudel on June 21 to start mine action works. Poudel, speaking at a National Conference on Landmines organised by Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NCBL), said the committee has started identifying, defusing and excavating the landmines.
He also urged the Nepali army, Maoists, experts and related organisations to help in the committee's work to minimise the probable death and destruction due to the landmines in the future.
Purna Shova Chirakar, coordinator of the NCBL, said over 26,000 people have been handicapped due to the landmines and almost 14,00 have lost their lives in the last 12 years. She accused the government and the political parties of lacking dedication to tackle the risk posed by landmines.
In the peace accord signed on November 22, 2006, the government and the Maoists had expressed commitment to assist each other to mark the landmines by providing necessary information within 30 days and de-fuse and excavate them within 60 days. But the commitment is yet to be implemented.
United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Matthew Kahane said there is an urgent need to destroy the landmines. He added that the government should address the problems of those injured and handicapped by the landmines.
Tamrat Samuel, deputy special representative of the Secretary General, called for the formulation of a mine action policy. He also called for the protection of rights of those injured and handicapped by the landmines.
Sunita Ghale, who lost her right leg and Krishna Bahadur Ghising, whose lower body has been paralysed due to a landmine explosion, accused the government of showing indifference to their plight. "We have been finding it difficult to continue medications and fend for the family and children," they said and urged the government to support them. It takes $3 to $10 to produce a landmine, while it takes anywhere between $200 and 1,000 to destroy it, according to the NCBL
Maoists' Acts Ridiculous: Rana
From THT Online
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chairman Pashupati Shumsher Rana on Wednesday said that the Maoists' threat to declare the nation a republic through people's action was "contrived and ridiculous".
Speaking after inaugurating the fourth district convention of his party's Morang chapter, Rana said that the Maoists were still acting as if they were taking action on people's behalf. He said that the Maoists were voicing threats of people's action only to stall the constituent assembly (CA) polls.
"Attacking other parties' offices, disrupting their general assemblies and assaulting chief district officers, these acts are all part of the Maoists' so-called people's action," said Rana. "What more limit do they want to cross? All their talk of launching a people's action drive seems contrived and ridiculous."
The RPP chief also blamed the Nepali Congress for failing to create a proper electoral atmosphere though the date for the CA polls was fast approaching. He added that the nearer the CA polls were coming, the more remote the chances of a good electoral atmosphere were getting.
"Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has been expressing his commitment to hold the CA polls, but there are no signs of his party taking up his stand in earnest."
Rana said it was necessary to provide reservations to the Madhesi community to solve the problems in the Tarai region. He added that the Madhes region might not go to the polls as the government had failed to address the Madhes issues and had instead shown indifference towards the Madhesi people's demands.
"Half the country lies in the Madhes region. It is absolutely necessary to solve the problems of the Madhesi people in order to resolve conflict," he said
Nepal flags cut to Everest climbing fee
Authorities in Nepal are planning to slash the permit price for climbing Mount Everest by up to 75 per cent outside the main spring climbing season.
The current cost of a Nepali permit to tackle the world's highest peak is $87,600 for 10 people, but this could soon change.
"We are thinking about reducing the fees by 50 per cent during the autumn season and by 75 per cent during the winter season," Minister for Tourism and Culture Prithvi Subba Gurung said.
Most climbers tackle the 8,848-metre mountain during the spring season in late May just before the monsoon sweeps across the sub-continent.
"We don't have any plans to reduce permit price for climbing Everest during the spring season," the minister added.
This year's peak season was a record breaker with 530 people summitting Everest from the southern approach in Nepal and the northern route through Chinese-controlled Tibet.
"We think that the reduction in fees will attract more mountaineers," Ang Tsering Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, said.
"At the moment, no expedition teams have applied to climb Everest in autumn and winter. Usually people come for the spring season as this is when they have the best chance of summitting," he said.
Home to eight of the world's 14 tallest peaks, Nepal has hosted trekkers and mountaineers for years and Mr Sherpa hopes to persuade the Government to open more mountains to foreign climbers.
"In Nepal there are over 1,792 peaks above 5,500 metres and only 326 are open for climbing. In our proposal we will also ask the government to allow climbing on more mountains," he said.
The current cost of a Nepali permit to tackle the world's highest peak is $87,600 for 10 people, but this could soon change.
"We are thinking about reducing the fees by 50 per cent during the autumn season and by 75 per cent during the winter season," Minister for Tourism and Culture Prithvi Subba Gurung said.
Most climbers tackle the 8,848-metre mountain during the spring season in late May just before the monsoon sweeps across the sub-continent.
"We don't have any plans to reduce permit price for climbing Everest during the spring season," the minister added.
This year's peak season was a record breaker with 530 people summitting Everest from the southern approach in Nepal and the northern route through Chinese-controlled Tibet.
"We think that the reduction in fees will attract more mountaineers," Ang Tsering Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, said.
"At the moment, no expedition teams have applied to climb Everest in autumn and winter. Usually people come for the spring season as this is when they have the best chance of summitting," he said.
Home to eight of the world's 14 tallest peaks, Nepal has hosted trekkers and mountaineers for years and Mr Sherpa hopes to persuade the Government to open more mountains to foreign climbers.
"In Nepal there are over 1,792 peaks above 5,500 metres and only 326 are open for climbing. In our proposal we will also ask the government to allow climbing on more mountains," he said.
Friday, August 17, 2007
India, Nepal floods kill dozens- Hundreds of thousands see homes washed away in eastern India
Floods caused by incessant rains in India over the past week have displaced hundreds of thousands of people in the east and northeast, destroyed crops and damaged bridges, officials said on Friday.
In the eastern state of Bihar, 21 people have died while hundreds of thousands of villagers have seen their houses washed away while road and rail networks have been disrupted by heavy monsoon rains over the past three days.
"The floods have damaged 1,776 houses in 269 villages across the north of Bihar and we are sending relief to the marooned villagers," said Manoj Kumar Srivastava, a Bihar disaster management official.
Parts of Bihar's capital, Patna, are also waterlogged, resulting in many people remaining at home and some private schools being shut.
In the northeast, rivers — including the mighty Brahmaputra — have burst their banks and floodwaters have submerged 25,000 acres of rice fields and destroyed hundreds of houses.
"The situation is grim," said Bharat Chandra Narah, flood control minister for Assam state.
In the mountainous state of Arunachal Pradesh, roads were blocked by landslides, while fast-flowing rivers eroded river banks and damaged bridges.
Weather officials predicted more rains in the next 48 hours across Bihar and the northeastern states.
In Nepal, floods triggered left thousands of people homeless, destroyed crops and disrupted transport and electricity supplies across the country, officials and media reports said on Friday.
Around 2,500 houses have been washed away in the Himalayan nation's southern plains, forcing residents to flee to higher grounds after week-long heavy rains, local media said.
Officials said floods and landslides have killed about 40 people in Nepal since June when the annual monsoon rains began.
"The seasonal monsoon trough lies almost parallel to the foot of the Himalayas causing more than normal rainfall in Nepal," said Shiva Nepal, an official at the weather forecasting office.
He said rain would continue for another two to three days.
In the western district of Sallyan, heavy rains caused a landslide, which swept away a home killing five members of a family while they were asleep on Thursday, Kantipur television reported.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
कांग्रेस, माओवादी विद्यार्थीबीचको विवाद बढ्दो
सत्ताधारी नेपाली कांग्रेस र नेकपा माओवादी निकट विद्यार्थी संगठनहरुबीचको विवाद सुल्झिनुको साटो झन् बल्झिदै गएको छ।
विवाद बढ्दै जाँदा उनीहरूले एकअर्का माथि आक्रमण र प्रत्याक्रमण गर्न थालेका छन्।
माओवादी समर्थित अनेरास्ववियु क्रान्तिकारीले आफ्नो केन्द्रिय कार्यालयमा नेपाली कांग्रेस निकट नेविसंघले मंगलवार आक्रमण गरेको भन्दै बुधवार काठमाडौ उपत्यकामा तीन घण्टे चक्काजामको आयोजना गरेको थियो।
त्यसक्रममा प्रहरी र प्रदर्शनकारीवीच ठाउँ, ठाउँमा झडप भएका थिए।
अखिल क्रान्तिकारीका अनुसार उसका ९५ कार्यकर्ता गिरफ्तार भएका छन् र ३८ जना घाइते भएका छन्।
नेकपा एमालेले आफ्ना सांसद सोमप्रसाद पाण्डे र उनको गाडीमाथि प्रदर्शनकारीले आक्रमण गर्नुका साथै आगो लगाउने प्रयास गरेको भन्दै त्यसको विरोध गरेको छ।
काठमाण्डू थापाथलीस्थित इन्जिनियरिङ क्याम्पसमा आफ्ना कार्यकर्तामाथि माओवादी समर्थित क्रान्तिकारीका कार्यकर्ताले सोमवार सांघातिक हमला गरेको भन्दै नेविसंघले मंगलवार देशव्यापी शैक्षिक संस्था बन्द गरेको थियो।
वार्ताका सर्त
अन्य विद्यार्थी संगठनहरुद्वारा दुवै पक्षलाई वार्ताद्वारा सहमति कायम गर्न दबाब परिरहे पनि त्यस्तो वातावरण बनेको छैन।
नेविसंघका अध्यक्ष प्रदीप पौडेलले आफुहरु विरुद्ध माओवादी युवा संगठन, योंग कम्युनिष्ट लिगका कार्यकर्ताको प्रयोग गरिएकाले यो विषय माओवादी नेतृत्वसँग गाँसिएको बताउँदै भने, "हामीले धेरै सह्यौ। अब भने सुध्रिन्छौ/गर्दैनौ भनेर हुँदैन्। व्यवहारमा देखिनुपर्छ।"
अखिल क्रान्तिकारीका महासचिव हिमाल शर्माले चाहीं नेविसंघले माफी नमागेसम्म र गिरफ्तार कार्यकर्ता विना सर्त रिहा नहुँदासम्म सम्वादको थालनी हुन नसक्ने बताए।
अन्यथा भदौ १ गतेदेखि देशव्यापी रुपमा अनिश्चितकालीन शैक्षिक हडताल गर्ने उनले जनाए।
नेविसंघले भने बिहीवार विरोधसभा गरि आन्दोलनका कार्यक्रम सार्वजनिक गर्ने बताएको छ।
त्यसो त बिद्यार्थी संगठनहरुबीच यस अघि पनि झडप, आक्रमण-प्रत्याक्रमण वा हमला नभएका होइनन्।
तिनलाई सामान्य घटनाका रुपमा लिइन्थ्यो।
बीबीसीका काठमाण्डू सम्वाददाता भन्छन्, तर संक्रमणकालीन राजनीतिक स्थिति र देश राजनीतिक ध्रुविकरणको डिलमा उभिएकाले पनि सत्ताधारी वामपन्थी र गैरवामपन्थी दुई दल समर्थित विद्यार्थी संगठनबीच बढ्दो शत्रुतालाई धेरैले चासोका साथ हेरिरहेका छन्।
From: bbcnepali.com
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Work stops at Dabur’s Nepal factory
Work stopped at the Dabur Nepal's factory in southern Nepal on Friday after the Maoist union started negotiating with the management over their six-point demands, which include a pay hike.
The factory of Dabur Nepal, Dabur India's wholly-owned subsidiary and Nepal's biggest exporter, located in Birgunj town in southern Nepal, stopped production from the morning after the All Nepal Trade Union Federation (Revolutionary), the powerful trade union of the Maoists, gave a six-point demand to the management.
The demands include giving permanent jobs to seasonal workers and raising pay and perks.
The demands have been made mainly on behalf of the loaders, who are hired when the need arises.
Dabur Nepal officials said they expected the negotiations to be concluded and the factory to resume production soon.
Last month, loaders working for another Indian joint venture, Nepal Lever, had prevented work at its factory for two days with similar demands though they were not direct employees of the multinational but came through a contractor.
With the Maoists joining the government this year, labour trouble has increased as the trade unions associated with different parties have begun a fierce race for control of the working class.
Meanwhile, as national and international support to help the flood victims of the country continues to pour in following an urgent appeal made by the government, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has also appealed "for $1.7 million to help more than 20,000 families affected by torrential monsoon rains, landslides and extensive flooding in the south of Nepal."
The Nepal Red Cross Society has estimated that more than 330,000 people have been affected due to floods.
"The hardest hit communities need to receive food, clean water, and access to sanitation facilities," said the secretary general of the Nepal Red Cross, Dev Ratna Dhakhwa. "But we also need to look beyond this emergency phase, towards helping people return to a normal way of life and enable vulnerable communities to be prepared for future disasters such as this," he adds.
The Nepal Red Cross has been leading the distribution of relief in the country and is working closely with the government, United Nations agencies and other aid organisations. Volunteers in each of the 33 affected districts have so far distributed rice, noodles, salt and sugar to around 30,000 families.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
MPs Concerned About Maoists' Violent Acts
Members of Parliament (MPs) today expressed concern about the Maoists' violent activities and said it might be a ploy to defer constituent assembly elections slated for November 22.
Maoist MPs, however, said the political parties were trying to defame their party.
MP Harihar Dahal of the Nepali Congress (NC) sought a remedy to the problem created by the Maoist party cadres. "We have a solution if the king obstructs the elections. But what if Maoist cadres obstruct constituent assembly elections?" he said, while drawing the attention of the Speaker during the special session of the Parliament today.
He said loktantra was not synonymous with coercion or intimidation. "How can we expect the polls to be fair and free in such a situation?" he queried.
Ganga Narayan Shrestha, a Maoist MP, criticised the government for holding dialogue with the "criminals" of the March 27 Gaur incident, where 27 Maoist cadres were killed by cadres of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF).
MP Chitra Bahadur KC of the Janamorcha Nepal criticised the Maoists for having double standards. "How do we expect peace and stability when the party, which is in the government creates troubles?" he asked.
He, however, said that all the eight parties should take the moral responsibility if the government fails to hold constituent assembly in the scheduled date.
Maoist MP Hit Bahadur Tamang defended the Dolakha incident, saying that the whole episode erupted after the government authorities in the district tried to protect a supporter of monarchy.
Maoist MPs, however, said the political parties were trying to defame their party.
MP Harihar Dahal of the Nepali Congress (NC) sought a remedy to the problem created by the Maoist party cadres. "We have a solution if the king obstructs the elections. But what if Maoist cadres obstruct constituent assembly elections?" he said, while drawing the attention of the Speaker during the special session of the Parliament today.
He said loktantra was not synonymous with coercion or intimidation. "How can we expect the polls to be fair and free in such a situation?" he queried.
Ganga Narayan Shrestha, a Maoist MP, criticised the government for holding dialogue with the "criminals" of the March 27 Gaur incident, where 27 Maoist cadres were killed by cadres of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF).
MP Chitra Bahadur KC of the Janamorcha Nepal criticised the Maoists for having double standards. "How do we expect peace and stability when the party, which is in the government creates troubles?" he asked.
He, however, said that all the eight parties should take the moral responsibility if the government fails to hold constituent assembly in the scheduled date.
Maoist MP Hit Bahadur Tamang defended the Dolakha incident, saying that the whole episode erupted after the government authorities in the district tried to protect a supporter of monarchy.
Maoist Bandh Hits Three Districts
While the indefinite district bandh called by the Maoists affected life in Dolakha district today, the Maoists shut Kavre and Sindhupalchowk districts too today.
The Maoists had called the indefinite bandh in Dolakha putting forward their 3-point demand including release of their cadres arrested for beating up Dolakha CDO Uddhav Bahadur Thapa on Sunday and withdrawal of cases against them.
The Maoists in Kavre and Sindhupalchowk had called a daylong bandh to express solidarity with their comrades in Dolakha.
Transport services, educational institutions and market places remained closed in all three districts. Maoists have blocked the highways by placing obstructions at various places.
Police have arrested nearly three dozen Maoist cadres and charged 11 of them with murder attempt.
Meanwhile, an all-party meeting is scheduled to take place in Charikot in a bid to find a solution to the dispute in Dolakha.
The Maoists had called the indefinite bandh in Dolakha putting forward their 3-point demand including release of their cadres arrested for beating up Dolakha CDO Uddhav Bahadur Thapa on Sunday and withdrawal of cases against them.
The Maoists in Kavre and Sindhupalchowk had called a daylong bandh to express solidarity with their comrades in Dolakha.
Transport services, educational institutions and market places remained closed in all three districts. Maoists have blocked the highways by placing obstructions at various places.
Police have arrested nearly three dozen Maoist cadres and charged 11 of them with murder attempt.
Meanwhile, an all-party meeting is scheduled to take place in Charikot in a bid to find a solution to the dispute in Dolakha.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Disruption of THT, AP distribution goes on
Himalayan News Service Kathmandu, July 24:
Maoist trade union workers continued their illegal disruption of the distribution of The Himalayan Times (THT) and Annapurna Post (AP) for the sixth consecutive day today.
The workers gathered at Sama Printers (printers of THT and AP) at Bhainsepati in Lalitpur in the morning and tried to seize the newspapers.
The police, who had been deployed on the premises of Sama Printers' office, intervened and stopped the Maoist workers from seizing the newspapers.
The trade union workers then headed for the office of the newspapers at Anamnagar and organised a corner meeting there.
Though they threatened to padlock the offices at 7 in the evening, they were seen no where around the offices after the corner meet.
They also warned distributors against distributing the newspapers.
The pro-Maoist trade union workers' "agitation" drew flak and condemnation from all quarters of the society.
In separate press releases, the Nepal Press Institute (NPI), the Press Chautari Nepal and Reporters' Club Nepal condemned the act as violation of people's right to information.
"It is sad that the distribution of the newspapers has been disrupted. This has denied the people their right to information," Gokul Prasad Pokharel, chairperson of the NPI, said in a statement.
"The agitators and the management concerned should hold dialogue," Ganesh Basnet, vice-president of Press Chautari, said in a release.
Maoist trade union workers continued their illegal disruption of the distribution of The Himalayan Times (THT) and Annapurna Post (AP) for the sixth consecutive day today.
The workers gathered at Sama Printers (printers of THT and AP) at Bhainsepati in Lalitpur in the morning and tried to seize the newspapers.
The police, who had been deployed on the premises of Sama Printers' office, intervened and stopped the Maoist workers from seizing the newspapers.
The trade union workers then headed for the office of the newspapers at Anamnagar and organised a corner meeting there.
Though they threatened to padlock the offices at 7 in the evening, they were seen no where around the offices after the corner meet.
They also warned distributors against distributing the newspapers.
The pro-Maoist trade union workers' "agitation" drew flak and condemnation from all quarters of the society.
In separate press releases, the Nepal Press Institute (NPI), the Press Chautari Nepal and Reporters' Club Nepal condemned the act as violation of people's right to information.
"It is sad that the distribution of the newspapers has been disrupted. This has denied the people their right to information," Gokul Prasad Pokharel, chairperson of the NPI, said in a statement.
"The agitators and the management concerned should hold dialogue," Ganesh Basnet, vice-president of Press Chautari, said in a release.
Rains, Floods Wreak Havoc in Tarai Districts
THT Online Siraha, July 25
Floods triggered by incessant rains have wrecked havoc in several districts in the Tarai. Normal life has been thrown out of gear in districts including Siraha, Rautahat and Parsa.
Floodwaters, as high as two feet, have swamped houses, plantations, roads, markets, government offices and schools in the district headquarters of Siraha.
Patients in the Siraha district hospital are also having to bear the brunt of the floodwaters, the hospital chief, Dr Raj Kumar Chaudhari said.
Over a dozen huts belonging to the Dalit community at Mahisothatole of Siraha-8, collapsed due to heavy rains. Rains have also destroyed dozens of houses at Baderwatole and Basbittatole of Siraha-6, locals said.
Floodwaters from the Khutti river have inundated most of the settlements in Ward no-5 and 6 of Lahan, the Lahan Area Police Office said.
Price of food items has shot up and the business is running low, chairperson of the Trade Union, Ratanlal Agrawal, said.
Floods in the Sahaja, Gagan and Maunawati rivers have inundated Laxminiya, Sanhaitha, Aurahi, Intatar, Hakpada, Chhotakitole, Khiraunar and Patherwa villages.
Similarly, waters from the flooded Kamala river inundated a dozen villages, including Phulbariya, Chikana, Bhediya, Manpurtole, Kalyanpur, Bhokraha and Sikron.
A report from Rautahat said heavy rainfall for the past nine days has damaged a dozen houses and flooded hundreds of bighas of land in the district.
Waters from the flooded Jhanjh river inundated Mithuwa, Mahamadpur, Jayanagar, Jethrahiya, Rajpur, Tulsio and Suratha VDCs and damaged the paddy crop in hundreds of bighas of land.
Heavy rainfall and storm damaged seven houses in Saruatha VDC and the displaced families are taking shelter in a primary school, a local Bhusan Singh said.
The rains disrupted vehicular movement on the Sivanagar-Katariya, Gaurda-Samanpur and Matsari-Gaur roads, a local of Badharwa Hari Singh said.
Relief materials have been sent to the victims, president of the Rautahat chapter of Nepal Red Cross Society, Mohamad Majarulhak, said.
A total of 74 houses including 10 in Dharampur VDC-4 and Rajpur Pharhadawa VDC, one in Madhopur VDC, five in Ajargaiwi VDC, five in Inarwa VDC, one in Patharabudhara VDC, nine in Inarwari VDC, nine in Narkatiya VDC, six in Gaur municipality and one in Tikuliya VDC collapsed in the floods and the rains, the Rautahat district police office said.
The administration is preparing to send relief to the victims, Rautahat CDO Durga Prasad Bhandari said.
In Birgunj, flood victims have not received relief as yet. The Parsa District Police Office and Parsa chapter of the Nepal Red Cross Society are distributing relief materials in the city, Pokhariya and Sibarwa VDCs only, while rural folks are yet to get relief, Ganesh Prasad Jaiswal of Viswa VDC said.
Flood in the Oriya and Sikta rivers have inundated Viswa, Jayamangalpur, Mirjapur, Samvauta, Laxmipur, Dhobiyatola, Phajatawa, Kheshraha villages in Parsa district.
Floods triggered by incessant rains have wrecked havoc in several districts in the Tarai. Normal life has been thrown out of gear in districts including Siraha, Rautahat and Parsa.
Floodwaters, as high as two feet, have swamped houses, plantations, roads, markets, government offices and schools in the district headquarters of Siraha.
Patients in the Siraha district hospital are also having to bear the brunt of the floodwaters, the hospital chief, Dr Raj Kumar Chaudhari said.
Over a dozen huts belonging to the Dalit community at Mahisothatole of Siraha-8, collapsed due to heavy rains. Rains have also destroyed dozens of houses at Baderwatole and Basbittatole of Siraha-6, locals said.
Floodwaters from the Khutti river have inundated most of the settlements in Ward no-5 and 6 of Lahan, the Lahan Area Police Office said.
Price of food items has shot up and the business is running low, chairperson of the Trade Union, Ratanlal Agrawal, said.
Floods in the Sahaja, Gagan and Maunawati rivers have inundated Laxminiya, Sanhaitha, Aurahi, Intatar, Hakpada, Chhotakitole, Khiraunar and Patherwa villages.
Similarly, waters from the flooded Kamala river inundated a dozen villages, including Phulbariya, Chikana, Bhediya, Manpurtole, Kalyanpur, Bhokraha and Sikron.
A report from Rautahat said heavy rainfall for the past nine days has damaged a dozen houses and flooded hundreds of bighas of land in the district.
Waters from the flooded Jhanjh river inundated Mithuwa, Mahamadpur, Jayanagar, Jethrahiya, Rajpur, Tulsio and Suratha VDCs and damaged the paddy crop in hundreds of bighas of land.
Heavy rainfall and storm damaged seven houses in Saruatha VDC and the displaced families are taking shelter in a primary school, a local Bhusan Singh said.
The rains disrupted vehicular movement on the Sivanagar-Katariya, Gaurda-Samanpur and Matsari-Gaur roads, a local of Badharwa Hari Singh said.
Relief materials have been sent to the victims, president of the Rautahat chapter of Nepal Red Cross Society, Mohamad Majarulhak, said.
A total of 74 houses including 10 in Dharampur VDC-4 and Rajpur Pharhadawa VDC, one in Madhopur VDC, five in Ajargaiwi VDC, five in Inarwa VDC, one in Patharabudhara VDC, nine in Inarwari VDC, nine in Narkatiya VDC, six in Gaur municipality and one in Tikuliya VDC collapsed in the floods and the rains, the Rautahat district police office said.
The administration is preparing to send relief to the victims, Rautahat CDO Durga Prasad Bhandari said.
In Birgunj, flood victims have not received relief as yet. The Parsa District Police Office and Parsa chapter of the Nepal Red Cross Society are distributing relief materials in the city, Pokhariya and Sibarwa VDCs only, while rural folks are yet to get relief, Ganesh Prasad Jaiswal of Viswa VDC said.
Flood in the Oriya and Sikta rivers have inundated Viswa, Jayamangalpur, Mirjapur, Samvauta, Laxmipur, Dhobiyatola, Phajatawa, Kheshraha villages in Parsa district.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Cops’ informers find YCL more lucrative
Majority of junior policemen ready to give them dope, claims YCL
Valley cops, who have been drawing a lot of flak for their failure on the law and order front, have another headache: their informers are deserting them for the Young Communist League. Valley cops stumbled upon this bitter truth when they recently found that some of their informers were not tipping them off. "Later it turned out that they had switched loyalties to the YCL," a police official at the Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD) told The Himalayan Times. MPCD officials say cops depend heavily on the informers.
"We can't get all the information on our own because people don't open up to us," an official said.
Informers are motivated by several reasons. "Some of them regularly provide information about their business rivals, whereas some tip us to exact revenge on their personal or family foes," a high-level police official at the Narcotic Drug Control Law Enforcement Unit (NDCLEU) said. But few make a living out of it. According to police officials, many work for a specific case and then go mum.
"The whole business is kept under wraps. We don't tell it to anyone, not even to our immediate bosses," inspector Jiban Shrestha at the MPCD said. Police officials admit that many informers are petty criminals. "We convince them to work as informers," DSP Bikash Khanal at the NDCLEU said. Often the cops pay them from their own pockets.
The police have no clear policy about paying informers. The Police Headquarters allocates very little for offices like MPCD and NDCLEU under the different heads and the office provides cash to informers in case of big seizure or when they help net a big fish.
SSP Kuber Rana at the NDCLEU admits that they receive some cash from the headquarters under "programme budget".
Rana, however, says all of that is not supposed to be spent on informers, as nobody knows how many of them are working under a police office. "We have to spend part of that money for training the cops and building their capacity," he added.
Asked why YCL was poaching police informers, YCL's Kathmandu district president Jwala said, "Not only the informers, 70 per cent of junior police officials are ready to join us. However, we have to be on our toes to ensure that informers don't leak our information to the state." Adapted from the himalayan times.
Valley cops, who have been drawing a lot of flak for their failure on the law and order front, have another headache: their informers are deserting them for the Young Communist League. Valley cops stumbled upon this bitter truth when they recently found that some of their informers were not tipping them off. "Later it turned out that they had switched loyalties to the YCL," a police official at the Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD) told The Himalayan Times. MPCD officials say cops depend heavily on the informers.
"We can't get all the information on our own because people don't open up to us," an official said.
Informers are motivated by several reasons. "Some of them regularly provide information about their business rivals, whereas some tip us to exact revenge on their personal or family foes," a high-level police official at the Narcotic Drug Control Law Enforcement Unit (NDCLEU) said. But few make a living out of it. According to police officials, many work for a specific case and then go mum.
"The whole business is kept under wraps. We don't tell it to anyone, not even to our immediate bosses," inspector Jiban Shrestha at the MPCD said. Police officials admit that many informers are petty criminals. "We convince them to work as informers," DSP Bikash Khanal at the NDCLEU said. Often the cops pay them from their own pockets.
The police have no clear policy about paying informers. The Police Headquarters allocates very little for offices like MPCD and NDCLEU under the different heads and the office provides cash to informers in case of big seizure or when they help net a big fish.
SSP Kuber Rana at the NDCLEU admits that they receive some cash from the headquarters under "programme budget".
Rana, however, says all of that is not supposed to be spent on informers, as nobody knows how many of them are working under a police office. "We have to spend part of that money for training the cops and building their capacity," he added.
Asked why YCL was poaching police informers, YCL's Kathmandu district president Jwala said, "Not only the informers, 70 per cent of junior police officials are ready to join us. However, we have to be on our toes to ensure that informers don't leak our information to the state." Adapted from the himalayan times.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Palace seeks govt security, gets it
The Home Ministry has asked the District Security Committee, Kathmandu, to make necessary security arrangements for King Gyanendra's 61st birthday bash.
Home ministry spokesperson Baman Prasad Neupaney said the ministers had directed the committee to provide security responding to the royal palace's request. "Whenever the palace organises a function, they write to us demanding security and we provide it. It has been happening for years," Neupaney told THT.
According to the ministry, Chief District Officer heads the five-member security committee that includes District Police Chief, a Senior Army Official and a senior Armed Police Force official.
Home ministry spokesperson Baman Prasad Neupaney said the ministers had directed the committee to provide security responding to the royal palace's request. "Whenever the palace organises a function, they write to us demanding security and we provide it. It has been happening for years," Neupaney told THT.
According to the ministry, Chief District Officer heads the five-member security committee that includes District Police Chief, a Senior Army Official and a senior Armed Police Force official.
According to a source, security personnel will be deployed from 9 am tomorrow in view of protests announced by the alliance of students' wings affiliated to the eight political parties.
Meanwhile, YCL cadres took out a torch rally from Sundhara and turned the rally into a corner meeting at Ratnapark this evening to protest the dinner party organised to mark the king's birthday. YCL's valley in-charge Sagar said they would block roads leading to Narayanhiti Palace tomorrow.
Meanwhile, former PMs Surya Bahadur Thapa and, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Kirtinidhi Bista, former ministers Badri Prasad Mandal, Durga Pokhrel and Din Bandhu Aryal attended the party hosted by Crown Prince Paras to mark the king's birthday today.
According to Mohan Shrestha, publicity chief of the birthday committee, Dr Tulsi Giri is expected to attend the party on Sunday. Chief of Army Staff Gen Rookmangud Katawal did not attend the party. From thehimalayantimes.com
DDR not applicable for Maoists: says Prachanda
Maoist chairman Prachanda has said that the model of DDR (Disarming, Demobilisation and Reintegration) will not be applicable for restructuring of the Maoist army.
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| Prachanda and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai in a meeting in Switzerland. Photo courtesy: Nepalese People's Progressive Forum (File Photo) | |
Addressing a programme in Geneva, Switzerland, Prachanda said that since Maoists' People's Liberation Army (PLA) had fought for people, the DDR model cannot be applicable for them. "It should rather be applied on the old army," he said.
Prachanda said the PLA should be reintegrated into the Nepali Army and their soldiers be given security duties. Any plan to engage them in other duties would be unfortunate, he said.
Prachanda and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai are currently in Switzerland.
King requests for security
In the wake of warning by the student and youth activists affiliated with the eight political parties to foil the birthday party of King Gyanendra planned by monarchists, the King has appealed to the government to provide adequate security, reports Nepal FM.
The King has made the request to the Home Ministry asking for security cover during the birthday celebrations, says the report.
It adds that the Home Ministry has replied positively by agreeing to consider the request.
The monarchists are planning to gather in Tundikhel and march to the royal palace to extend greetings to the King on the occasion of his 61st birthday on Saturday. "We are not planning to raise any slogan. We will simply march to the palace silently," said Dr. Durga Pokharel, former minister and co-chair of the committee formed to organise the King's birthday.
Earlier on Thursday, student and youth activists of eight parties had decided to hold demonstration and foil the royal reception. They claimed that the King has no authority to hold receptions since he is no more recognised by the constitution.
Friday, June 29, 2007
YCL Cadres won't Obstruct Polls: Poudel
Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel on Thursday
said that the Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) would not
disrupt the constituent assembly (CA) polls.
said that the Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) would not
disrupt the constituent assembly (CA) polls.
"I don't believe that the Maoists, who have joined peaceful politics
with an agenda of the CA poll after a decade-long armed conflict,
would disrupt the polls in the name of any organisation," Poudel said
at a press meet organised by the Kaski chapter of the Nepal Press
Union here.
"Nobody should forget the stance on the CA taken by the Maoists during
talks held at Hapure of Dang and in Godavari of Lalitpur," he said.
"It is also the responsibility of the Maoists to hold the CA polls. If
any such situation arises, where the Maoists or their sister
organisations disrupt the CA polls, then their stance taken in the
past will be of no value," he said.
"Nobody should disrupt the CA polls in the name of trading charges at
a time when the nation is heading towards achieving the goal of
holding the CA poll," he said.
"As the date of the polls has already been announced, the government
should make sufficient provisions for security and tighten up the
administrative sector and also create the right atmosphere for the
poll by holding talks with politically dissatisfied sides," he said.
Stating that the talks held with the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (MJF)
in Janakpur were fruitful, Poudel said the talks held with janajatis
was also heading towards a solution.
Poudel, who is also general secretary of the Nepali Congress (NC),
elaborated that NC was not in favour of giving continuity to the
monarchy. He said, "The decision on monarchy is being delayed as the
NC stance should be wise and mature."
"Decision on monarchy will be taken by calling a Mahasamiti meeting or
special convention soon," he said.
"As the unification of the NC and the NC (D) is in the final phase,
the issue of calling a joint Congress Mahasamiti meeting or special
convention is also on the anvil now," Poudel said, adding that NC and
NC (D) would unite by mid-August.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Bandh shuts Tarai
A shutdown called by the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (MJF) affected normal life in districts of the Tarai today. In Nawalparasi, six vehicles were vandalised at Harkatta along Mahendra Highway. MJF cadres vandalised the three trucks and three buses when they were being escorted by the police. Police arrested 11 persons in this connection.
The MJF had called the one-day bandh to demand the safe release of its Kathmandu valley in-charge Jeetendra Shah abducted by the Young Communist League (YCL).
Most educational institutions and industries in Kalaiya and adjoining areas remained closed, while vehicles did not ply on the Birgunj-Pathlaiya road section, Mahendra Highway and Pathlaiya-Hetauda section of Tribhuvan Highway.
The effects of the bandh were also felt in Mahottari, Bardiya, Nepalgunj, Birgunj, Rautahat, Saptari, Siraha, Biratnagar, Dhanusha, Sarlahi and Kapilvastu. Kapilvastu district MJF chairperson Prakash Pandey said no untoward incident was reported anywhere in the region.
The bandh, however, had no effect in Jhapa.
Move to ban arms on planes
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal is drafting a bill that will ban air passengers carrying arms while travelling. CAAN deputy director general Bharat Dhakal said this at a programme organised by the CAAN here today. He also said that all airports in Nepal are unsafe.
Weapons carried by security guards of the Prime Minister, ministers and other VIPs will be allowed inside the plane only after the ammunition has been taken out, Dhakal said. Currently, security guards of VIPs carry loaded weapons while boarding the plane.
The bill will require everyone to remove ammunition from weapons before boarding the aircraft. The ammunition will be stored in a safe place.
Those attending the programme underscored the need to come up with a code of conduct for air travelling. Suggestions were offered by participants on whether to allow inebriated passengers to board a plane.
Weapons carried by security guards of the Prime Minister, ministers and other VIPs will be allowed inside the plane only after the ammunition has been taken out, Dhakal said. Currently, security guards of VIPs carry loaded weapons while boarding the plane.
The bill will require everyone to remove ammunition from weapons before boarding the aircraft. The ammunition will be stored in a safe place.
Those attending the programme underscored the need to come up with a code of conduct for air travelling. Suggestions were offered by participants on whether to allow inebriated passengers to board a plane.
Friday, June 22, 2007
$1.69 lakh WWF grant for hydel project
The WWF Nepal will provide a grant assistance of $1.69 lakh to the Kanchanjunga Conservation Area Management Council (KCAMC) for the execution of a 35-KW micro-hydro project.
Tseten Dandu Sherpa, chairperson of the KCAMC, and Anil Manandhar, country representative of the WWF Nepal, signed an agreement here today to fund the 'Micro-hydro Project for the People and Biodiversity in the Kanchanjanga Conservation Area'.
The local community will also contribute nearly $16,000 through labour and local transportation. Once executed, the project will light up 77 households in Ghunsa and Phale.Work on the project will start from July and end by June.According to officials at the WWF Nepal, the micro-hydro project aims to promote sources of renewable energy in order to enhance technical and managerial capacities of local institutions.
They said the community will assume ownership of the project. The project will generate income from enterprises that will raise the living standards of the locals and help in the conservation of the area. On September 22, 2006, the government had decided to hand over the management of the KCA to the KCAMC.
Tseten Dandu Sherpa, chairperson of the KCAMC, and Anil Manandhar, country representative of the WWF Nepal, signed an agreement here today to fund the 'Micro-hydro Project for the People and Biodiversity in the Kanchanjanga Conservation Area'.
The local community will also contribute nearly $16,000 through labour and local transportation. Once executed, the project will light up 77 households in Ghunsa and Phale.Work on the project will start from July and end by June.According to officials at the WWF Nepal, the micro-hydro project aims to promote sources of renewable energy in order to enhance technical and managerial capacities of local institutions.
They said the community will assume ownership of the project. The project will generate income from enterprises that will raise the living standards of the locals and help in the conservation of the area. On September 22, 2006, the government had decided to hand over the management of the KCA to the KCAMC.
China’s Everest road plan draws experts’ flak
China's plan to build a highway on the side of Mount Everest today drew sharp criticism from experts in Nepal and India.Country representative of WWF Nepal Anil Manandhar said in Kathmandu that China's plan to construct the highway is the result of the country's total disregard to the world's tallest mountain and its environmental and cultural values.
China's state media on Wednesday said that the country plans to build a highway on the side of Mt Everest to pave way for the Olympic torch's journey to the peak of the world's tallest mountain. "China's idea of reaching the mountain top by road is a foolish one and driven by a total disregard to world environment," Manandhar said. He added that road at the sacred and serene area would usher in human activities that will cause an irreparable damage to the atmosphere on the mountains, which is already suffering from pollution.
"I cannot believe it. I don't know whether it was a government policy or some enthusiastic development worker just wanted to see the world react to the idea." Spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology Khumraj Punjali said it is too early to comment on the plan. In New Delhi, experts and analysts voiced serious concern about the highway plan. They said the proposed road would invite pollution and result in the collapse of the eco-system.
Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr SD Muni, said Nepal should worry more about the adverse effects the road would have on the country. Secretary of the Indian Mountaineering Federation PC Rautila said rare and endangered flora and fauna are already under threat in the fragile eco-system and the road would make matters worse.
A senior official of India's Centre for Policy Research said all countries should protest the move. Meanwhile, sources in the Indian capital said Chinese authorities in charge of the project are likely to hold talks with Nepal on the project.
China's state media on Wednesday said that the country plans to build a highway on the side of Mt Everest to pave way for the Olympic torch's journey to the peak of the world's tallest mountain. "China's idea of reaching the mountain top by road is a foolish one and driven by a total disregard to world environment," Manandhar said. He added that road at the sacred and serene area would usher in human activities that will cause an irreparable damage to the atmosphere on the mountains, which is already suffering from pollution.
"I cannot believe it. I don't know whether it was a government policy or some enthusiastic development worker just wanted to see the world react to the idea." Spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology Khumraj Punjali said it is too early to comment on the plan. In New Delhi, experts and analysts voiced serious concern about the highway plan. They said the proposed road would invite pollution and result in the collapse of the eco-system.
Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr SD Muni, said Nepal should worry more about the adverse effects the road would have on the country. Secretary of the Indian Mountaineering Federation PC Rautila said rare and endangered flora and fauna are already under threat in the fragile eco-system and the road would make matters worse.
A senior official of India's Centre for Policy Research said all countries should protest the move. Meanwhile, sources in the Indian capital said Chinese authorities in charge of the project are likely to hold talks with Nepal on the project.
YCL blocks highway traffic
Seeking the release of their leader, cadres of the Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League today blocked traffic for three hours in Sarlahi's Nawalpur along the Mahendra Highway. They warned that a decisive agitation will be launched tomorrow if their leader, Thagaram Chamar, is not freed.
YCL's Sarlahi's coordinator Keshar Karki said the highway was disrupted seeking the release of CPN (Maoist)'s Sarlahi area no 5 in-charge Thagaram Chamar. Over 200 Maoists staged a demonstration and shouted slogans against the police administration. Hundreds of travellers were affected due to the disruption in vehicular movement on the highway.
Personnel of the APF had arrested the Maoists' in-charge at the APF base camp at Sundarpur Chuadawa today. Police inspector KP Sharma said a home-made pistol and seven bullets were confiscated from him. Sharma said Chamar will be sued for possessing illegal arms.
YCL's Sarlahi's coordinator Keshar Karki said the highway was disrupted seeking the release of CPN (Maoist)'s Sarlahi area no 5 in-charge Thagaram Chamar. Over 200 Maoists staged a demonstration and shouted slogans against the police administration. Hundreds of travellers were affected due to the disruption in vehicular movement on the highway.
Personnel of the APF had arrested the Maoists' in-charge at the APF base camp at Sundarpur Chuadawa today. Police inspector KP Sharma said a home-made pistol and seven bullets were confiscated from him. Sharma said Chamar will be sued for possessing illegal arms.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Pavlovian response to abdicate-soon remark
Himalayan News Service
PM downplays it; royalists tight-lipped
PM downplays it; royalists tight-lipped
Kathmandu, June 18:
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's widely-reported comment that if king Gyanendra and his son, crown prince Paras, abdicated, the ruling establishment could think of a minor as the monarch, triggered a knee-jerk reaction today, and Koirala, according to reports received by the newsdesk, downplayed the import of his remarks.
Reacting to Koirala's reported "suggestion" to the king and his son, Maoist generallisimo Prachanda said Koirala was trying to protect the monarchy by going against the decisions of the eight-party alliance.
Reacting to Koirala's reported "suggestion" to the king and his son, Maoist generallisimo Prachanda said Koirala was trying to protect the monarchy by going against the decisions of the eight-party alliance.
"This indicates that the Nepali Congress is against the eight-party unity and it wants to see
the monarchy continue," Prachanda told reporters after addressing Maoist MPs in Singha Durbar.
His remarks undermine the second amendment of the Interim Constitution and also intimidate the importance of the decision the parliament has taken," Prachanda said.
Prachanda said his party does not want monarchy in any form.
Prachanda also accused the government of not showing eagerness to hold a Constituent Assembly election.
"Our leader (Prachanda) called upon us to prepare for Jana Andolan-III as Jana Andolan-II could not meet our demands in reality," Maoist MP Khim Lal Devkota said.
Prachanda said that the 12-point agreement between the seven-party alliance
and the Maoists was very clear on bringing in a republican set-up.
His deputy Baburam Bhattarai called upon the MPs to create an environment that would be favourable for state restructuring.
But Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala claimed that the remarks were "misreported by the media due to low English comprehension level."
He said this while talking to a group of reporters who had gone to Koirala's residence to cover the Nepali Congress (NC) Parliamentary Party (PP) meeting.
"I was misquoted. May be the problem was I had spoken in English and the mediapersons who disseminated my views had low English comprehension level," Koirala said, whenreporters asked him about his remarks reported in THT and other dailies.
Members of a delegation which had accompanied visiting Pakistani journalists to the PM's residence yesterday had said that Koirala had told them that he had told King Gyanendra and his son Paras "to abdicate before the elections, if they were keen to see that monarchy continued in Nepal." Koirala was also reported to have said that since Gyanendra and his son Paras were unpopular among the masses, they should leave the country before the elections, or stay on as businessmen, pure and simple.
Koirala also denied having said that a minor could be picked up as the monarch if king Gyanendra and his son abdicated. Meanwhile, talking to representatives of the striking teachers, Koirala said that he was committed to holding elections by mid-December and that the nation and the people could come under a worse scenario if the elections were not held. "I have taken the responsibility of my lifetime. I will see to it that elections take place."
AFP reported UML leader Jhala Nath Khanal as saying: "The PM's attempt to save the monarchy is unacceptable. Our party has always been in favour of abolition of the monarchy and will not review our decision in the future," he said.
A thorough scanning of the Internet and news agencies failed to provide any response by the royalists or yesterday's royalists to the PM's widely-reported 'abdicate-soon' suggestion.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Who called the Valley bandh? No idea, say all
Though Kathmandu Valley remained partially closed today, most of the denizens didn't have the faintest idea as to who might have called for the shutdown.
Most of the educational institutions and a few private offices remained closed.
Though work in government offices went ahead as usual, the number of vehicles plying on the roads was very low.
"We didn't receive any report of bandh supporters demonstrating on the streets or picketing," said a police official at the Metropolitan Police Control Room.
"Usually during bandhs, we used to get reports of incidents like bandh supporters taking out rallies or forcing people to get off vehicles. However, the control room phones didn't ring for such reports today," the official added. This reporter asked people from different walks of life on who might have called the shutdown.
"I heard an association of landless people has called the bandh, but, I am not sure," was the reply the reporter got from almost all of them he queried. Media houses also didn't receive any press release on the bandh. This reporter at long last, but unofficially, found out that it was the Nepal Basobas Basti Samrakshan Samaj (settlement protection society), who had called the bandh. No one was able to tell him who the people associated with the organisation were or where they could be contacted. All he came to know was that the samaj had been formed by people who were displaced after the government acquired their land at Tinkune
Most of the educational institutions and a few private offices remained closed.
Though work in government offices went ahead as usual, the number of vehicles plying on the roads was very low.
"We didn't receive any report of bandh supporters demonstrating on the streets or picketing," said a police official at the Metropolitan Police Control Room.
"Usually during bandhs, we used to get reports of incidents like bandh supporters taking out rallies or forcing people to get off vehicles. However, the control room phones didn't ring for such reports today," the official added. This reporter asked people from different walks of life on who might have called the shutdown.
"I heard an association of landless people has called the bandh, but, I am not sure," was the reply the reporter got from almost all of them he queried. Media houses also didn't receive any press release on the bandh. This reporter at long last, but unofficially, found out that it was the Nepal Basobas Basti Samrakshan Samaj (settlement protection society), who had called the bandh. No one was able to tell him who the people associated with the organisation were or where they could be contacted. All he came to know was that the samaj had been formed by people who were displaced after the government acquired their land at Tinkune
Monday, June 11, 2007
Koirala, Prachanda smoke the peace pipe
Maoist chairman Prachanda and his deputy Dr Baburam Bhattarai met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter's residence this morning. They sorted out differences that had surfaced after the PM's comment on the activities of the Young Communist League (YCL) last week.
The trio agreed to form a committee under the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction to make cases of disappearances public.
A Maoist source told this daily that the PM "realised" that he should not have publicly branded the Maoists' youth wing as a criminal league. Koirala called the YCL a criminal league after the latter captured businessman Sitaram Prasain and handed him over to the police.
Prasain was wanted by the Nepal Rastra Bank for irregularities in a financial institution he chaired.
The source said the PM was "positive" on institutionalising the agenda of a republican order through constituent assembly election for which he expressed his "firm commitment."
The meeting mainly focused on the issue of republic through the election, the source added.
The leaders agreed not to make public issues on which they differ, and committed themselves to resolving those issues through dialogue.
They also agreed that the eight-party unity must be kept intact until a new constitution is drafted.
Poudel also said that a committee would be formed to make public the cases of disappearance.
According to the Human Rights Year Book, 2007 published by Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), 783 people were disappeared by the state and 105 by the Maoists.
No question of doubting India, says Prachanda
Maoist supremo Prach-anda today said his party has no doubts on India's intentions. Prachanda had rapped India after reports appeared in the media that India favoured an alliance between the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML.
Those reports had said that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during a recent meeting with a UML delegation in New Delhi, stressed the need for a permanent alliance between the NC and the UML to ensure democracy and lasting peace in Nepal.
In a a statement issued here today, Prachanda denied his party's involvement in hurling stones at a vehicle carrying US Ambassador James F Moriarty in Jhapa. He said his party did not target any foreigner even during the decade-old conflict and it was unimaginable to do so at the time of the peace process.
"I would like to remind all that we had asked the government to investigate the Jhapa incident immediately after it occurred, "he said Prachanda and another Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai also met United Nations secretary general's personal representative, Ian Martin at his residence today and discussed the verification process of the Maoist combatants in cantonments. They agreed to start the second round of the verification at the earliest. The process has been stalled due to differences between the government and the Maoists over payment of monthly allowance to the fighters.
In the statement, Prachanda stressed the need to create a new basis for political unity among the parties. "People will not be assured of the assembly election unless the date is fixed," the statement said.
Prachanda said the government was reluctant to release political prisoners, make public the status of the disappeared, provide relief to victims of the conflict, reconstruct destroyed infrastructure and manage cantonments and combatants' allowances.
According to IANS, Prachanda also recalled India's positive role during the ongoing peace negotiations as well as New Delhi's pledged assistance to the CA election.
No business, no issue. Visa for the asking!
Kent Bruce Crane, a Belize national, has been obtaining business visa for the last 14 years, even though his firm's registration has not been renewed for the last seven years. His business visa was extended on February 17, 2007, for five years.
The company — Nepal Wildlife Development Company Pvt Ltd (NWDC) — was set up in 1993 and was registered at the Company Registrar's Office (CRO) and the Department of Industry (DoI) for promotion of eco-tourism and hospitality business through a golf course and a luxury resort.
However, the company could never be operational in over 14 years. A report prepared by the DoI monitoring team in January this year states construction of a seminar hall, guest house and few buildings has started at Lapsiphedi, VDC-3, where he purchased 519 ropanis of land in 1994. Later he also managed to get on lease an additional 150 ropanis of land in the VDC.
The Immigration Rules, 1994, say investors can get a one-year visa during the start-up phase of their venture, and for five years after the investment is made.
"We are bound to issue a visa if the DoI recommends someone," says Durga Prasad Pokhrel, director of the department. "We do not investigate every application", he added. Crane has used five different passports issued either by the London High Commission or by the Embassy of Belize in Washington DC. The latest passport (No 004954), in which he obtained the five-year business visa, was issued on February 8, 2007 from the Embassy of Belize in Washington DC.
Crane had two passports which have not expired. The Passport (No 0290773) that was issued on January 25, 2005 will expire on January 24, 2015, while the second passport will expire on October 4 next year. Of these two passports, the first one was issued from the Embassy of Belize in Washington DC and the second one from the Belize High Commission in London.
According to a source, Crane had used a different passport when he first came to Nepal 13 years ago. Later he used the passport (No A 000666) issued from the Belize High Commission and obtained business visa for a year. The passport expired in October 2004.
Despite repeated orders of the Company Registrar's Office to NWDC to furnish the annual report and audit report from the fiscal year 1998-99 to 2006-07, the company submitted them on January 14 this year. These reports are to be submitted annually.
Ashok Kumar Dahal, director at the Foreign Investment Section of DoI, said the visa extension was made on the ground that Crane's property worth millions of rupees is still in Nepal. "We recommended the DoI to extend the visa as he has invested a huge sum of money in Nepal and he has to frequently visit the country," he said.
The project could not kick off due to a court stay order against him, Dahal said. He said Crane got his visa extended on the pretext that he could not start the project due to the adverse situation here.
Crane could not be reached despite several telephone calls and e-mails sent to him. When contacted, an employee at Crane's office at Lakhankhel said he is out of the country.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Nepali Tourism Promotion in SE Asian Countries
The stakeholders of Nepali tourism industry are organising South East Asia Sales mission in three countries beginning from June 5.
The mission, which is targeted at the outbound travellers potential in the South East Asia Region, is being jointly organised by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and PATA Nepal Chapter in cooperation with Nepali embassy in Thailand, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), and Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) in three countries - Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The event will last till June 8.
The programme is scheduled for June 5 in Bangkok, where Lumbini- the birthplace of Lord Buddha and Buddhist pilgrimage sites are going to be highlighted as the major attractions. Likewise, being also a pioneer country in adventure activities, Nepal will be focusing its soft adventure attractions, too. The sales mission also aims to promote the idea of - exchange the tang of mountain with beaches - among the visitors' experience of the two countries.
In Malaysia and Singapore, the road show will be graced by Prithvi Subba Gurung, minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation. Madhav Prasad Ghimire, secretary of ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation is scheduled to address the road show in Singapore.
During the road show, Mt Everest summiteers from Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia will be felicitated. The organisers say that the event would help fetch more tourists to Nepal from this region.
Recently, numerous international airlines have increased flight frequencies to Kathmandu, and some new ones have also started their operations to Nepal. The positive trend in international visitors' arrival to Nepal continued with a staggering growth of 78.8 per cent in April 2007.
This is a record high growth by air route in April since 2002. Asian countries (Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand) have contributed a substantial growth of 137.4 per cent.
The Nepali delegation will be led by NTB and PATA Nepal along with 12 private companies during the event.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Nepal to hold delayed elections in Nov/Dec
Nepal will hold elections near year's end for a constituent assembly to decide the fate of its monarchy, capping a peace deal with former Maoist rebels after a decade-long insurgency, political officials said on Thursday.
The vote was once expected in June but officials had said they did not have enough time to organise it that soon.
The agreement will help end political uncertainty sparked by the election delay and aid in sealing the peace deal that ended a civil war which killed more than 13,000 people.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala met with Maoist chief Prachanda and other leaders from the ruling coalition and agreed to reschedule the polls for the Nepali month that starts on November 17.
"The cabinet will formally decide the exact date for the elections soon," said Prakash Sharan Mahat, senior leader of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) party, a key member of the ruling coalition.
"The timing was suggested by the prime minister and other leaders agreed," he said.
Maoist politicians also said the election would be held in that period.
But senior Maoist leader Dinanath Sharma said supporters of the king or "forces who believe in the status quo" could try to sabotage the elections.
The vote was once expected in June but officials had said they did not have enough time to organise it that soon.
The agreement will help end political uncertainty sparked by the election delay and aid in sealing the peace deal that ended a civil war which killed more than 13,000 people.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala met with Maoist chief Prachanda and other leaders from the ruling coalition and agreed to reschedule the polls for the Nepali month that starts on November 17.
"The cabinet will formally decide the exact date for the elections soon," said Prakash Sharan Mahat, senior leader of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) party, a key member of the ruling coalition.
"The timing was suggested by the prime minister and other leaders agreed," he said.
Maoist politicians also said the election would be held in that period.
But senior Maoist leader Dinanath Sharma said supporters of the king or "forces who believe in the status quo" could try to sabotage the elections.
Nepal to hold delayed elections in Nov/Dec
Nepal will hold elections near year's end for a constituent assembly to decide the fate of its monarchy, capping a peace deal with former Maoist rebels after a decade-long insurgency, political officials said on Thursday.
The vote was once expected in June but officials had said they did not have enough time to organise it that soon.
The agreement will help end political uncertainty sparked by the election delay and aid in sealing the peace deal that ended a civil war which killed more than 13,000 people.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala met with Maoist chief Prachanda and other leaders from the ruling coalition and agreed to reschedule the polls for the Nepali month that starts on November 17.
"The cabinet will formally decide the exact date for the elections soon," said Prakash Sharan Mahat, senior leader of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) party, a key member of the ruling coalition.
"The timing was suggested by the prime minister and other leaders agreed," he said.
Maoist politicians also said the election would be held in that period.
But senior Maoist leader Dinanath Sharma said supporters of the king or "forces who believe in the status quo" could try to sabotage the elections.
The vote was once expected in June but officials had said they did not have enough time to organise it that soon.
The agreement will help end political uncertainty sparked by the election delay and aid in sealing the peace deal that ended a civil war which killed more than 13,000 people.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala met with Maoist chief Prachanda and other leaders from the ruling coalition and agreed to reschedule the polls for the Nepali month that starts on November 17.
"The cabinet will formally decide the exact date for the elections soon," said Prakash Sharan Mahat, senior leader of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) party, a key member of the ruling coalition.
"The timing was suggested by the prime minister and other leaders agreed," he said.
Maoist politicians also said the election would be held in that period.
But senior Maoist leader Dinanath Sharma said supporters of the king or "forces who believe in the status quo" could try to sabotage the elections.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Oil Supply Situation to Normalise by Monday: Mahato
At a time when the whole country is reeling under a severe petroleum supply crisis, Rajendra Mahato, minister for industry, commerce and supplies on Saturday claimed that supply would be back to normal within a couple of days.
However, his claim after the state-run petroleum entity - Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) yesterday warned that the supply of petroleum products would worsen further unless an immediate arrangement to clear the dues of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is made.
Speaking at an interaction organised by the Reporters' Club here on Saturday, Mahato said that the government would clear the last two months' dues of about one billion rupees to the IOC by Monday. "The government, in principal, has agreed to release Rs 1.0 billion to clear dues and import bills for the months of April and May," he informed.
He further said that the senior leaders of eight ruling parties have been apprised about the supply situation and NOC's financial condition. "The present crisis, mainly, is due to our inability to pay the dues on time," Mahato said, adding that the government has now left with two options either support NOC with Rs 500 million each month or adjust the prices of the petro products at par with the international price.
He, however, said that final decision to adjust the prices of petroleum products lies with the eight parties and the government. "If the eight-party alliance gives a green signal, government will make a gradual upward adjustment in prices. So, people won't feel a huge burden of price hike," Mahato said.
He also disclosed that options have been sought to involve private sector for the trading of petroleum products. "At the beginning, government plans to handover the trading of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to private parties," he said.
To ensure smooth supply of the petroleum products, the government needs to provide the NOC with financial support of about Rs 4 billion, if the prices are kept static unless the constituent assembly elections is held. The support is required to meet the monthly losses of Rs 254.8 million and additional payment of Rs 240 million to clear dues to IOC.
According to him, NOC's current total liabilities stand at Rs 10.20 billion including Rs 5.96 billion dues of IOC and Rs 4.26 loans of various domestic financial institutions.
Most petrol pumps went dry four days back, while the NOC's stock yesterday dropped to an all-time-low at 'dead stock' level. NOC has already stopped distribution of petroleum products from Friday evening in the valley, stating that it cannot use the dead stock.
However, his claim after the state-run petroleum entity - Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) yesterday warned that the supply of petroleum products would worsen further unless an immediate arrangement to clear the dues of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is made.
Speaking at an interaction organised by the Reporters' Club here on Saturday, Mahato said that the government would clear the last two months' dues of about one billion rupees to the IOC by Monday. "The government, in principal, has agreed to release Rs 1.0 billion to clear dues and import bills for the months of April and May," he informed.
He further said that the senior leaders of eight ruling parties have been apprised about the supply situation and NOC's financial condition. "The present crisis, mainly, is due to our inability to pay the dues on time," Mahato said, adding that the government has now left with two options either support NOC with Rs 500 million each month or adjust the prices of the petro products at par with the international price.
He, however, said that final decision to adjust the prices of petroleum products lies with the eight parties and the government. "If the eight-party alliance gives a green signal, government will make a gradual upward adjustment in prices. So, people won't feel a huge burden of price hike," Mahato said.
He also disclosed that options have been sought to involve private sector for the trading of petroleum products. "At the beginning, government plans to handover the trading of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to private parties," he said.
To ensure smooth supply of the petroleum products, the government needs to provide the NOC with financial support of about Rs 4 billion, if the prices are kept static unless the constituent assembly elections is held. The support is required to meet the monthly losses of Rs 254.8 million and additional payment of Rs 240 million to clear dues to IOC.
According to him, NOC's current total liabilities stand at Rs 10.20 billion including Rs 5.96 billion dues of IOC and Rs 4.26 loans of various domestic financial institutions.
Most petrol pumps went dry four days back, while the NOC's stock yesterday dropped to an all-time-low at 'dead stock' level. NOC has already stopped distribution of petroleum products from Friday evening in the valley, stating that it cannot use the dead stock.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Hundreds flock to Nepal shrine for 'sweating' idol
Hundreds of people have flocked to a remote village in eastern Nepal to see a "sweating" idol of a Hindu god, a sign of impending turmoil or natural disaster for the devoutly religious nation.
Witnesses said that sweat seeped out of the idol of the Bhimeshwor god at a temple in Dolakha, a few hours drive from Kathmandu, during evening prayers at the weekend.
"I saw the right side of the black stone idol had become wet because of sweating," said Shanta Krishna Shrestha, chairman of a committee responsible for maintaining the temple.
"This denotes something like major political change or a natural calamity," said Shrestha.
"We must hold special prayers and make sacrifices asking for forgiveness."
Sacrificing animals such as goats or roosters to appease gods is common among Hindus in Nepal.
Sweating was seen on the idol in 2001, media reported, months before a palace massacre when King Birendra and eight other members of the royal family were shot dead in a drug-and-drink fuelled shooting spree by the then crown prince, who later turned the gun on himself.
Witnesses said that sweat seeped out of the idol of the Bhimeshwor god at a temple in Dolakha, a few hours drive from Kathmandu, during evening prayers at the weekend.
"I saw the right side of the black stone idol had become wet because of sweating," said Shanta Krishna Shrestha, chairman of a committee responsible for maintaining the temple.
"This denotes something like major political change or a natural calamity," said Shrestha.
"We must hold special prayers and make sacrifices asking for forgiveness."
Sacrificing animals such as goats or roosters to appease gods is common among Hindus in Nepal.
Sweating was seen on the idol in 2001, media reported, months before a palace massacre when King Birendra and eight other members of the royal family were shot dead in a drug-and-drink fuelled shooting spree by the then crown prince, who later turned the gun on himself.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Ethnic Bhutanese in Nepal face eviction
While Washington's offer of resettlement has given the first ray of hope to Bhutanese refugees living like prisoners in camps in Nepal for 16 long years, it has also fuelled an insidious fear among over 80,000 ethnic Bhutanese in the kingdom, who apprehend it will be their turn to be forcibly evicted once the resettlement process begins. Bhutanese of Nepali origin have been burdened with more misgivings since April 2006, when the Population and Census Commission made public the result of the 2005 census, fixing the population at 634,972. The catch is, the commission says it includes both bona fide citizens and "foreigners". The number of such "foreigners" has been calculated to be almost 80,000. Interestingly, nearly 70,000 have been prevented from taking part in the mock election. The fear has spread to the seven refugee camps in eastern Nepal, where the victims of the 1991 persecution have been living under the supervision of the UN High Commission for Refugees for nearly two decades. On Wednesday, yellow pamphlets began to appear in the Beldangi camp, urging the refugees to ready for an armed struggle to restore democracy in Bhutan. Though the refugees remain tightlipped, the source of fear is said to be the rising militant groups of young people: the Bhutan Communist Party- Marxist-Leninist-Maoist, Bhutan Tigers and War and Peace Group. The last sent a signed threat note to two camp secretaries who were explaining to residents the implication of the US offer. However, the militants, five out of six Bhutan parties operating from India and Nepal are opposed to third-country resettlement. "While repatriation would be the best option for most refugees, it can only be viable if Bhutan upholds its duty to guarantee the returnees' human rights," said Bill Frelick, refugee policy director at Human Rights Watch. "People feel insecure," young man in the camp said.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Nepal 2006
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Friday, April 20, 2007
Locals protest Maoist vandalism
Civilians and students at Ramnagar (Mirchaiya), protesting the Maoists' destruction of a private school building, today disrupted traffic on the highway for three hours - from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
They demanded that the Maoists apologise for their act, return looted goods and restrict their entrance in the educational sector.
Traffic resumed after the local administration, the Maoists and the school administration agreed to hold a trialogue on April 23, the Mirchaiya area police office (APO) said.
Local Maoist cadres destroyed the building of Chandra Jyoti School that was being constructed by Dhaniklal Shah and Kishor Khatiwada on 10 katthas of land at Mirchaiya-4 at 11 pm on Tuesday. The Maoists took the construction materials away on a tractor.
"The Maoists were threatening since the start of the construction of the school building," Dhaniklal Shah said, adding that they had been claiming that the land belonged to Shova Shahi of the royal family. Shah and Khatiwada claimed that they purchased the land from Birenda Shah of Kalyanpur for Rs 30 lakhs last year.
Meanwhile, Maoist district secretary Abinash said that the land belonged to a relative of the royal family. "Our cadres stopped construction of the building.
Their stance was that the building should not be built on that land at a time when the process of nationalising the property of royal family has been initiated," he added.
They demanded that the Maoists apologise for their act, return looted goods and restrict their entrance in the educational sector.
Traffic resumed after the local administration, the Maoists and the school administration agreed to hold a trialogue on April 23, the Mirchaiya area police office (APO) said.
Local Maoist cadres destroyed the building of Chandra Jyoti School that was being constructed by Dhaniklal Shah and Kishor Khatiwada on 10 katthas of land at Mirchaiya-4 at 11 pm on Tuesday. The Maoists took the construction materials away on a tractor.
"The Maoists were threatening since the start of the construction of the school building," Dhaniklal Shah said, adding that they had been claiming that the land belonged to Shova Shahi of the royal family. Shah and Khatiwada claimed that they purchased the land from Birenda Shah of Kalyanpur for Rs 30 lakhs last year.
Meanwhile, Maoist district secretary Abinash said that the land belonged to a relative of the royal family. "Our cadres stopped construction of the building.
Their stance was that the building should not be built on that land at a time when the process of nationalising the property of royal family has been initiated," he added.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Maoists Vow to Make Nepal Republic
Nepal's Maoists on Monday said they would agree to a delay of nationwide elections if Nepal is declared a republic.
Elections for a constituent assembly had been scheduled for June 20.
The new legislators are to decide the fate of Nepal's unpopular monarchy.
Speaking to reporters at a Kathmandu hotel Monday, Maoist leader Prachanda appealed for the interim parliament to declare the country a republic.
"If it is not going to happen, if other parties will not agree then there are some other options. The referendum may be another option - a most democratic option," he said. "Even if it is also not agreed then we should have to go among the masses. We shall have to appeal to the masses to rouse again against this feudal system"
A peace deal last year brought the Maoists into the political process after a decade long insurgency that claimed 14,000 lives.
The former rebels agreed to enter the interim coalition government if elections were held in June.
Nepal's election commission says nationwide polling can not take place that soon because of technical and security problems. The government has not set a new election date.
King Gyanendra gave up absolute power last year following demonstrations organized by the political mainstream and the Maoists.
Prachanda on Tuesday rejected speculation that the king would be allowed to remain as a ceremonial figure. He said the position the Maoists once took to allow a constitutional monarch was the biggest mistake they ever made. He said the Maoists have brought the unpopular king to his knees and they will not back off their hard line anti-royalist position.
Elections for a constituent assembly had been scheduled for June 20.
The new legislators are to decide the fate of Nepal's unpopular monarchy.
Speaking to reporters at a Kathmandu hotel Monday, Maoist leader Prachanda appealed for the interim parliament to declare the country a republic.
"If it is not going to happen, if other parties will not agree then there are some other options. The referendum may be another option - a most democratic option," he said. "Even if it is also not agreed then we should have to go among the masses. We shall have to appeal to the masses to rouse again against this feudal system"
A peace deal last year brought the Maoists into the political process after a decade long insurgency that claimed 14,000 lives.
The former rebels agreed to enter the interim coalition government if elections were held in June.
Nepal's election commission says nationwide polling can not take place that soon because of technical and security problems. The government has not set a new election date.
King Gyanendra gave up absolute power last year following demonstrations organized by the political mainstream and the Maoists.
Prachanda on Tuesday rejected speculation that the king would be allowed to remain as a ceremonial figure. He said the position the Maoists once took to allow a constitutional monarch was the biggest mistake they ever made. He said the Maoists have brought the unpopular king to his knees and they will not back off their hard line anti-royalist position.
Friday, April 13, 2007
UN Continues Peace Process in Nepal
The United Nations participated in registering and storing weapons of the Nepalese Army on Thursday, part of its continued assistance to the peace process in the Asian country, according to a UN report from Katmandu.
The arms registration is in accord with the peace process signed last year between the Nepalese government and the Maoist Communist Party of Nepal to end 10 years of hostilities.
The peace accords require the Nepalese Armed Forces to register and store the same number of weapons delivered by the Maoist army, under supervision of the UN Political Mission in Nepal.
High officials of the UN Political Mission expressed their satisfaction at the course of the peace process and total cooperation of the Nepalese Army.
The officials said the process, which began Tuesday with Nepalese Army presentation of 850 weapons in Katmandu s Chhauni Camp, and involves 14 teams supported by the UN Development Program, will possibly end this week.
The Maoist army presented 2,855 weapons, with 523 still in their hands on their security perimeter as well as another 96, pending a security agreement.
The civil war in Nepal cost the lives of 15,000 people and displacement of 100,000.
The arms registration is in accord with the peace process signed last year between the Nepalese government and the Maoist Communist Party of Nepal to end 10 years of hostilities.
The peace accords require the Nepalese Armed Forces to register and store the same number of weapons delivered by the Maoist army, under supervision of the UN Political Mission in Nepal.
High officials of the UN Political Mission expressed their satisfaction at the course of the peace process and total cooperation of the Nepalese Army.
The officials said the process, which began Tuesday with Nepalese Army presentation of 850 weapons in Katmandu s Chhauni Camp, and involves 14 teams supported by the UN Development Program, will possibly end this week.
The Maoist army presented 2,855 weapons, with 523 still in their hands on their security perimeter as well as another 96, pending a security agreement.
The civil war in Nepal cost the lives of 15,000 people and displacement of 100,000.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Diversity Visa victims on fast-unto-death
Diversity Visa victims on fast-unto-death
Seven members of the American Diversity Visa Victims Association today decided to go on fast-unto-death outside American Embassy in Panipokhari.
"The victims want that the American Embassy refund the money they spent to appear for the visa interview, along with necessary compensation," the DV victims said in a press conference organised today.
Ghanashyam Basyal, president of the ADVVA, said, "We don't want American visa. If people think that we are protesting to get the visa, they are wrong. We are against the American policy of rejecting Nepalis' visas without tendering any reasons."
He said the embassy made each of them spend Rs 55,000 for the visa and rejected it without sufficient ground. "There are some families with six members whose spent around Rs 330,000 but none of them got a visa," he added.
"Our efforts to talk to the embassy officials and the Nepal government went in vain. Their apathy has compelled the victims to go on fast-unto-death," said Govinda Adhikari, vice-president of the ADVVA. He said the government and the American Embassy would be responsible if something happens to those on fast. "We tried our best to make them understand our problem, but to no avail. We have enough evidence to prove that we are right," he added.
While, Sharon Hudson-Jean, acting public relation officer of the An American Embassy official, when contacted, said the embassy had already made it clear to the concerned people that compensation could not be granted. She added that the embassy wants them not to go on hunger strike. "We don't want any harm to their health," she said.
The DV victims started their protest in October. For two months they organised sit-in outside the American Embassy and since December 26 they had been on 24-hour relay fast.
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