Nepal's King Gyanendra has come under attack from a stone-throwing crowd as he travelled in a motorcade.
The monarch, who was on his way to a pilgrimage site in Kathmandu to attend a Hindu festival, escaped unhurt.
Nepal's king, traditionally regarded as an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, has become highly controversial since assuming absolute power in 2005.
The attack is the first of its kind since he stepped down following nation wide protests in April 2006.
Using force
King Gyanendra was on his way to the Pashupati temple in the capital for the Maha Shivratri festival when crowds chanting anti-monarchy slogans pelted his motorcade with stones.
The BBC's Surendra Phuyal in Kathmandu says the situation remained tense at the temple for more than an hour as the monarch paid his respects in the temple premises.
The local police chief told the BBC that they had to use force to control the unruly mob.
There has been strong public feeling against the monarch since he gave up power.
Nepal's reinstated parliament has since stripped him of most of his traditional powers as the country gears up for elections in June.
The elected parliament is then set to decide the future role of the monarchy or whether it should be abolished.
The Maha Shivratri festival is attended by hundreds of thousands of people every year, and is famous for its naked Sadhus, or holy men, known as Naga Babas.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
PM happy about army democratization
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who also holds the defense portfolio, has said it is the need of the hour for the Nepali Army to change its duty, responsibility and behavior in accordance with the democratic governance system. He has expressed satisfaction over the "positive initiatives" taken by the army to democratize the institution.
While extending his "heart-felt" greetings to incumbent and ex-members of Nepali Army (NA) personnel and their families, the Prime Minister in his message on the eve of Army Day that falls on Friday, has also expressed satisfaction with the "important steps" initiated to democratize the institution. "It is a matter of satisfaction to have positive initiatives begun [in the army] for preservation of democracy, respect for human rights and for co-working with civilian administration in this process [of democratization]," the Prime Minister said in his written message circulated to media on Thursday.
The Prime Minister has also expressed confidence that NA would extend its important contribution to respecting people's aspirations and to protecting democratic norms and values, and life styles in the days to come.
"…All Nepali people, including the NA, need now to commit to protect sovereignty and national reconciliation on the occasion of Army Day," the Prime Minister said.
Likewise, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal, in his greetings to members of the NA on the occasion, has stressed the need for conceptual and organizational changes in the army.
While committing to democratic norms and values, Katawal has reiterated NA's commitment to national and international humanitarian laws, rule of law and to its apolitical image.
In a written message dispatched to media on the eve of Army Day, the army chief has also underlined the need to make the institution more inclusive, transparent and to increase NA's proximity to the people.
While extending his "heart-felt" greetings to incumbent and ex-members of Nepali Army (NA) personnel and their families, the Prime Minister in his message on the eve of Army Day that falls on Friday, has also expressed satisfaction with the "important steps" initiated to democratize the institution. "It is a matter of satisfaction to have positive initiatives begun [in the army] for preservation of democracy, respect for human rights and for co-working with civilian administration in this process [of democratization]," the Prime Minister said in his written message circulated to media on Thursday.
The Prime Minister has also expressed confidence that NA would extend its important contribution to respecting people's aspirations and to protecting democratic norms and values, and life styles in the days to come.
"…All Nepali people, including the NA, need now to commit to protect sovereignty and national reconciliation on the occasion of Army Day," the Prime Minister said.
Likewise, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal, in his greetings to members of the NA on the occasion, has stressed the need for conceptual and organizational changes in the army.
While committing to democratic norms and values, Katawal has reiterated NA's commitment to national and international humanitarian laws, rule of law and to its apolitical image.
In a written message dispatched to media on the eve of Army Day, the army chief has also underlined the need to make the institution more inclusive, transparent and to increase NA's proximity to the people.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Nepal: Minorities Call for Strike in Capital
Opposing the recently promulgated interim constitution in Nepal, minority communities called for a strike in the capital Thursday. The umbrella organization of indigenous communities Nepal Federation on Indigenous Communities (NFIN) called the strike. Owing to the strike, life has been crippled in the capital. The organizers are protesting in various quarters of the city, obstructing vehicular movement and forcefully shutting down shops. The federation activists disrupted traffic movement namely at Kalanki, Balaju, Samakhushi, Chabahil, Gopi Krishna hall, Jorpati, Koteshwor, Lagankhel and Ekantkuna. Similarly, the activists organized protest demonstrations at Putalisadak, Sundhara and Ratna Park. Public transportation has come to a complete halt although a few private vehicles and motorbikes are seen plying the roads. A number of shops at the corners of the city are open while major market places are closed.
Minor scuffles between the protestors and the police as well as locals have been reported. NFIN activists and locals engaged in a scuffle in the morning at Kalanki. The president of the NFIN, Pasang Sherpa, has alleged those who engaged in the brawl with the NFIN activists were hooligans. The Federation claimed that General Secretary Ram Bahadur Tahap Magar was injured on his head and another five activists have been detained from Kalanki.
Owing to the strike, the heart of the city, Ratna Park, remains calm. Nearly 100,000 people are supposed to pass through this way during normal days.
The NFIN had announced the Valley strike on Thursday to press for its demands to amend the interim constitution by addressing the grievances of the indigenous communities. The indigenous communities have been demanding recognition of their mother languages in government works and a guarantee of federal structure based on ethnic, regional and lingual identities. Nepal's southern Terai was crippled by the protests of Madhesis with similar demands for three weeks. Now the indigenous communities have been focusing their protest programs in the capital. The Terai unrest was calmed down after the prime minister assured their demands would be met.
Minor scuffles between the protestors and the police as well as locals have been reported. NFIN activists and locals engaged in a scuffle in the morning at Kalanki. The president of the NFIN, Pasang Sherpa, has alleged those who engaged in the brawl with the NFIN activists were hooligans. The Federation claimed that General Secretary Ram Bahadur Tahap Magar was injured on his head and another five activists have been detained from Kalanki.
Owing to the strike, the heart of the city, Ratna Park, remains calm. Nearly 100,000 people are supposed to pass through this way during normal days.
The NFIN had announced the Valley strike on Thursday to press for its demands to amend the interim constitution by addressing the grievances of the indigenous communities. The indigenous communities have been demanding recognition of their mother languages in government works and a guarantee of federal structure based on ethnic, regional and lingual identities. Nepal's southern Terai was crippled by the protests of Madhesis with similar demands for three weeks. Now the indigenous communities have been focusing their protest programs in the capital. The Terai unrest was calmed down after the prime minister assured their demands would be met.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Red Cross says 800 disappeared in Nepal's insurgency
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday said nearly 800 people disappeared during Nepal's decade-long insurgency.
The findings were disclosed in the Nepalese capital Wednesday by Mary Werntz, of the ICRC in Nepal.
'ICRC has the names of more than 800 people who remain unaccounted for in the wake of the armed conflict. The families of these missing persons suffer from not knowing what has happened to their loved ones and they have the right to know', she told reporters.
ICRC said it had collected the names after interviewing family members of the missing people across Nepal.
'The majority of the missing people were allegedly under the responsibility of the security forces,' said Werntz, but declined to give other details.
The ICRC will make public names of the missing people on February 15 in a local newspaper in an attempt to locate them as well as put press on the government and the Maoists to disclose any relevant information.
Both the security forces and the Maoist rebels have been blamed for serious rights abuses including extra-judicial killings, abduction and torture.
In November, the government and the Maoists signed a comprehensive peace deal that formally ended Nepal's decade long insurgency in which nearly 15,000 people died.
Nepal's Maoist ex-rebels are now part of the interim legislature and are poised to enter the government once the United Nations completes registration of Maoist combatants and lock up their weapons.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Calm returns to plains of Nepal
Life is returning to normal in the plains of central and eastern Nepal after three weeks of violence.
At least 27 people have died in clashes between protesters of the Madheshi people and security forces.
Calm returned after the head of a leading Madheshi group welcomed the prime minister's call for a dialogue and suspended its protests.
Madheshi groups say they have been discriminated against in the existing state structure.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has vowed to amend the constitution to meet the key demands of Madheshi protesters.
He has pledged a federal system of governance and more representation of the southern plains in the parliament.
On Thursday the chairman of the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Upendra Yadav, welcomed Mr Koirala's call for a dialogue and said that the group was suspending its agitation for 10 days to create an atmosphere for talks.
'New life'
Schools and colleges reopened and businesses resumed in the affected region on Friday and traffic was back on the roads.
A journalist in a key south eastern town, Janakpur, told the BBC that it looked as if a new life had started.
The Madheshi community has been demanding autonomous federal regions and greater representation in parliament.
It argued that "ruling elites" dominated by people from the mountains of Nepal have denied it fair political representation, and restricted the number of jobs available to them in the police and army.
They also want an autonomous region for the southern plains within a federal state.
Madheshis make up 33-45% of Nepal's population of 27 million but are vastly under-represented in government and the army, which tend to be dominated by hill-dwellers
At least 27 people have died in clashes between protesters of the Madheshi people and security forces.
Calm returned after the head of a leading Madheshi group welcomed the prime minister's call for a dialogue and suspended its protests.
Madheshi groups say they have been discriminated against in the existing state structure.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has vowed to amend the constitution to meet the key demands of Madheshi protesters.
He has pledged a federal system of governance and more representation of the southern plains in the parliament.
On Thursday the chairman of the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Upendra Yadav, welcomed Mr Koirala's call for a dialogue and said that the group was suspending its agitation for 10 days to create an atmosphere for talks.
'New life'
Schools and colleges reopened and businesses resumed in the affected region on Friday and traffic was back on the roads.
A journalist in a key south eastern town, Janakpur, told the BBC that it looked as if a new life had started.
The Madheshi community has been demanding autonomous federal regions and greater representation in parliament.
It argued that "ruling elites" dominated by people from the mountains of Nepal have denied it fair political representation, and restricted the number of jobs available to them in the police and army.
They also want an autonomous region for the southern plains within a federal state.
Madheshis make up 33-45% of Nepal's population of 27 million but are vastly under-represented in government and the army, which tend to be dominated by hill-dwellers
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Indian minister cancels Nepal visit over Terai turmoil
The unrest in Nepal's Terai plains that has killed at least 21 people and paralysed key towns in the south, near the Indian border, claimed its first diplomatic casualty after an Indian minister put off his trip to the Himalayan kingdom.
India's Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh, who was to have arrived in Kathmandu Wednesday, cancelled his three-day official visit, presumably due to the continuing turmoil in the southern plains.
Also, Nepal's Minister for Commerce, Industry and Supplies Hridayesh Tripathi, who had extended an invitation to Ramesh, has himself resigned over the Terai unrest.
Ramesh was also to visit Birgunj, Nepal's commercial hub in Parsa district and inspect the dry port there, managed by an Indian joint venture.
Birgunj has remained under curfew off and on since last month.
After the Madhes Janadhikar Forum, a group of plains people, pledged to keep up protests demanding an autonomous Madhes state for the people of Indian origin, Birgunj along with other towns has remained tense.
Most of the 21 people died in police firing, triggering a demand for the resignation of Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula.
On Jan 26, when India celebrated its 58th Republic Day, the lunch organised by the Indian consulate in Birgunj as well as a ghazal programme had to be cancelled due to curfew.
The Terai turmoil has also affected the ongoing work by the United Nations (UN) to register the arms of the Maoists.
On Monday, dozens of protesters stopped four UN vehicles in Janakpur town and tried to prevent them from proceeding to a Maoist guerrilla camp in nearby Sindhuli district, Nepal's official media said Tuesday.
Earlier, acting chief of the UN Mission in Nepal Ian Martin had expressed concern that if Terai remained restive, it would affect UN efforts to help the government hold elections by June.
India's Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh, who was to have arrived in Kathmandu Wednesday, cancelled his three-day official visit, presumably due to the continuing turmoil in the southern plains.
Also, Nepal's Minister for Commerce, Industry and Supplies Hridayesh Tripathi, who had extended an invitation to Ramesh, has himself resigned over the Terai unrest.
Ramesh was also to visit Birgunj, Nepal's commercial hub in Parsa district and inspect the dry port there, managed by an Indian joint venture.
Birgunj has remained under curfew off and on since last month.
After the Madhes Janadhikar Forum, a group of plains people, pledged to keep up protests demanding an autonomous Madhes state for the people of Indian origin, Birgunj along with other towns has remained tense.
Most of the 21 people died in police firing, triggering a demand for the resignation of Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula.
On Jan 26, when India celebrated its 58th Republic Day, the lunch organised by the Indian consulate in Birgunj as well as a ghazal programme had to be cancelled due to curfew.
The Terai turmoil has also affected the ongoing work by the United Nations (UN) to register the arms of the Maoists.
On Monday, dozens of protesters stopped four UN vehicles in Janakpur town and tried to prevent them from proceeding to a Maoist guerrilla camp in nearby Sindhuli district, Nepal's official media said Tuesday.
Earlier, acting chief of the UN Mission in Nepal Ian Martin had expressed concern that if Terai remained restive, it would affect UN efforts to help the government hold elections by June.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Nepal's PM pledges federal state
Nepal's PM pledges federal state
Nepal's prime minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, has pledged that a future Nepal will be federal in nature.
This is one of the main demands of southern Nepalese who have been demonstrating for the last two weeks.
Eight people have died in the protests. However, there have already been protests saying the prime minister has not conceded enough.
Nepal recently formed an interim coalition after its King abdicated power ending a decade long civil war.
Mr Koirala did not mention by name the Madhesis, or southern Nepalese, whose ongoing protests have resulted in the deaths.
But he did say all problems must be solved through dialogue, and that he had instructed a minister to form a committee to initiate this.
Devolution required
Madhesis are very much under-represented in government structures. One of their demands is for devolved, federal-style government.
Mr Koirala has now promised that a new permanent constitution, due to be written by an assembly elected later this year, will make Nepal a federal state.
He has also said he accedes to another of their demands, which is to increase the number of electoral constituencies in densely populated areas.
These include the southern plains.
Demonstrators in one southern city, Janakpur, have already staged protests against Mr Koirala's speech saying it does not go far enough.
An indefinite curfew in another city, Biratnagar, has already lasted more than 24 hours.
A BBC correspondent there says Madhesi protestors armed with bows and arrows are defying it.
Others have set a police station on fire. Police responded with teargas and live rounds.
Many of the southern protests have been peaceful but a steady stream of northern hill people who were living in the south have started fleeing their homes after being threatened.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Thapa, Mandal arrested for 'instigating' violence in Terai; other royalists under watch
Two of the former high-profile royalist ministers were arrested in late night raid on Monday for working to instigate the violence in Terai.
Former Home Minister Kamal Thapa and former minister Badri Mandal were arrested on Monday night from Kathmandu and Biratnagar, respectively.
Police arrested Thapa from his residence in Bishal Nagar, Kathmandu, at around 9:45 pm. Thapa reportedly refused to receive the arrest warrant, but the police team insisted to take him with them saying they had order from above to arrest him.
Thapa is accused of fuelling violence in the ongoing protests of Madhesi groups in several Terai districts over the last few days.
On the other hand, Mandal was arrested from his residence in Biratnagar at around 11:00 pm. He is also accused of similar charges. Mandal, who is a former chief of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) is accused of turning the agitation violent in many places including Kalaiya and Rautahat.
Thapa has been detained at Nepal Police Battalion 2 facility in Maharajgunj whereas Mandal is kept at District Police Office of Morang.
Their arrest came hours after Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula claimed at a press briefing that royalists were infiltrating into the protests in Terai to instigate violence and vowed action against those trying to create unrest. Sitaula had claimed that the government would bring Terai situation under control within few days.
Thapa, one of the key figures in the past royal government, is also accused of ordering brutal clampdown on 19-day pro-democracy agitations last April.
Meanwhile, the government has ordered administration to keep strict vigil on certain royalist elements including those who assumed positions of mayors and deputy mayors after royal municipal elections held in February of 2006.
At least seven people have been killed and dozens others injured in the ensuing violence in Terai during protests organised by Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) and two factions of Terai Janatantrik Mukti Morcha (JTMM), demanding amendment in the recently-promulgated interim constitution to guarantee proportional representation in the upcoming constituent assembly polls and a federal system.
Former Home Minister Kamal Thapa and former minister Badri Mandal were arrested on Monday night from Kathmandu and Biratnagar, respectively.
Police arrested Thapa from his residence in Bishal Nagar, Kathmandu, at around 9:45 pm. Thapa reportedly refused to receive the arrest warrant, but the police team insisted to take him with them saying they had order from above to arrest him.
Thapa is accused of fuelling violence in the ongoing protests of Madhesi groups in several Terai districts over the last few days.
On the other hand, Mandal was arrested from his residence in Biratnagar at around 11:00 pm. He is also accused of similar charges. Mandal, who is a former chief of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) is accused of turning the agitation violent in many places including Kalaiya and Rautahat.
Thapa has been detained at Nepal Police Battalion 2 facility in Maharajgunj whereas Mandal is kept at District Police Office of Morang.
Their arrest came hours after Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula claimed at a press briefing that royalists were infiltrating into the protests in Terai to instigate violence and vowed action against those trying to create unrest. Sitaula had claimed that the government would bring Terai situation under control within few days.
Thapa, one of the key figures in the past royal government, is also accused of ordering brutal clampdown on 19-day pro-democracy agitations last April.
Meanwhile, the government has ordered administration to keep strict vigil on certain royalist elements including those who assumed positions of mayors and deputy mayors after royal municipal elections held in February of 2006.
At least seven people have been killed and dozens others injured in the ensuing violence in Terai during protests organised by Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) and two factions of Terai Janatantrik Mukti Morcha (JTMM), demanding amendment in the recently-promulgated interim constitution to guarantee proportional representation in the upcoming constituent assembly polls and a federal system.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Minister Tripathi resigns,Terai unrest continues
Although the tensions in the eastern Terai have started to calm down, life has not returned to normalcy yet as the local administrations Monday issued fresh curfew orders in four towns.
The District Administration Offices issued curfew orders in Janakpur, Birgunj, Kalaiya and Gaur today to control the increasing unrest in the southeastern region.
Meanwhile, citing the government reluctance to resolve the Madhesi issues, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Supplies Hridayesh Tripathi today resigned from his post from the ruling coalition government.
He said that the ruling seven-party alliance was "not serious enough over the present turmoil in the Terai region."
Minister Tripathi tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala through the chief secretary today.
"The eight parties have failed to show the level of seriousness that merits the present situation. Madhesh is moving ahead with its genuine demands regarding the proportional electoral procedure and federal setup, among others." He said adding, "We had issued a note of dissent on the very day the interim constitution was promulgated on January 15, however, there has been no hearing over them."
Central Committee members of the Nepal Sadhbhawana Party (Anandidevi) had recently urged the party to leave the coalition government accusing the government to have suppressing the Madhesi movement in the Terai region.
Meanwhile, shops and transportation services remained closed for the 11th day running as protests resumed in some parts of the eastern Terai since Monday morning.
In Lahaan where the Madhesi People's Right Forum (MPRF) first carried out the protests, life seemed to returning to normalcy but markets and shops remained closed.
Although Lahan has been comparatively calmer in the past two days, transportation services have not begun operations and marketplaces remained closed.
Krishna Bahadur Yadav, central member of the MPRF, said that the indefinite banda programme would continue until their demands like proportional electoral system, federal state and declaration of constituencies based upon the population, among others, are addressed by the government.
In Birgunj, local administration imposed a nine-hour curfew (10am to 7pm) today again.
Likewise, DAO Rautahat also imposed a curfew in Gaur from 9 am to 7 pm.
Janakpur remained peaceful today. However, a 10-hour curfew has been imposed by the local administration from 8am to 6pm.
Meanwhile, just before the curfew order came into effect, a group of Nepali-speaking people traversed the city area and expressed their solidarity with the Madhesi movement and appealed all to maintain peace and harmony in the region.
Similarly, in Kalaiya of Bara a curfew has been imposed from 8am to 9pm today.
Modraj Dotel, chief district officer of Morang blamed those who called the protests to have failed to maintain the peace during the demonstrations despite their continuous pledge to organize peaceful demonstrations.
Likewise, life was badly affected in Jaleshwor, Mahottari, as the residents were deprived of essential daily goods as the shops remained closed.
Due to the closure of transportation, newspapers have not been delivered for the past 10 days. In addition, even the local newspapers have not been published.
According to our correspondent, due to the lack of newspapers people have been deprived of factual information.
In Mirchai, Siraha, agitators forced around 300 Maoist cadres out of Shobha Shahi's house. The Maoists had captured Shahi's house six months ago.
Protesters vandalized the Village Development Committee Office, Post Office and the Drug Administration Office in Mirchaiya.
Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress leaders who are here in Janakpur to hold talks with the Madhesi leaders today expressed their solidarity with the ongoing movement.
They stressed that that the protests should be peaceful and urged all concerned to maintain peace and harmony in the region.
The team of NC leaders comprises of Ram Baran Yadav, joint general secretary of the party, Smriti Narayan Chaudhary and chief whip Anand Prasad Dhungana.
Speaking at a press conference today, the leaders said that Madhesi people's rights have not been addressed adequately and this movement should only end with a plausible solution.
They added that the Madhesi people's demands are justifiable and should be addressed.
The District Administration Offices issued curfew orders in Janakpur, Birgunj, Kalaiya and Gaur today to control the increasing unrest in the southeastern region.
Meanwhile, citing the government reluctance to resolve the Madhesi issues, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Supplies Hridayesh Tripathi today resigned from his post from the ruling coalition government.
He said that the ruling seven-party alliance was "not serious enough over the present turmoil in the Terai region."
Minister Tripathi tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala through the chief secretary today.
"The eight parties have failed to show the level of seriousness that merits the present situation. Madhesh is moving ahead with its genuine demands regarding the proportional electoral procedure and federal setup, among others." He said adding, "We had issued a note of dissent on the very day the interim constitution was promulgated on January 15, however, there has been no hearing over them."
Central Committee members of the Nepal Sadhbhawana Party (Anandidevi) had recently urged the party to leave the coalition government accusing the government to have suppressing the Madhesi movement in the Terai region.
Meanwhile, shops and transportation services remained closed for the 11th day running as protests resumed in some parts of the eastern Terai since Monday morning.
In Lahaan where the Madhesi People's Right Forum (MPRF) first carried out the protests, life seemed to returning to normalcy but markets and shops remained closed.
Although Lahan has been comparatively calmer in the past two days, transportation services have not begun operations and marketplaces remained closed.
Krishna Bahadur Yadav, central member of the MPRF, said that the indefinite banda programme would continue until their demands like proportional electoral system, federal state and declaration of constituencies based upon the population, among others, are addressed by the government.
In Birgunj, local administration imposed a nine-hour curfew (10am to 7pm) today again.
Likewise, DAO Rautahat also imposed a curfew in Gaur from 9 am to 7 pm.
Janakpur remained peaceful today. However, a 10-hour curfew has been imposed by the local administration from 8am to 6pm.
Meanwhile, just before the curfew order came into effect, a group of Nepali-speaking people traversed the city area and expressed their solidarity with the Madhesi movement and appealed all to maintain peace and harmony in the region.
Similarly, in Kalaiya of Bara a curfew has been imposed from 8am to 9pm today.
Modraj Dotel, chief district officer of Morang blamed those who called the protests to have failed to maintain the peace during the demonstrations despite their continuous pledge to organize peaceful demonstrations.
Likewise, life was badly affected in Jaleshwor, Mahottari, as the residents were deprived of essential daily goods as the shops remained closed.
Due to the closure of transportation, newspapers have not been delivered for the past 10 days. In addition, even the local newspapers have not been published.
According to our correspondent, due to the lack of newspapers people have been deprived of factual information.
In Mirchai, Siraha, agitators forced around 300 Maoist cadres out of Shobha Shahi's house. The Maoists had captured Shahi's house six months ago.
Protesters vandalized the Village Development Committee Office, Post Office and the Drug Administration Office in Mirchaiya.
Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress leaders who are here in Janakpur to hold talks with the Madhesi leaders today expressed their solidarity with the ongoing movement.
They stressed that that the protests should be peaceful and urged all concerned to maintain peace and harmony in the region.
The team of NC leaders comprises of Ram Baran Yadav, joint general secretary of the party, Smriti Narayan Chaudhary and chief whip Anand Prasad Dhungana.
Speaking at a press conference today, the leaders said that Madhesi people's rights have not been addressed adequately and this movement should only end with a plausible solution.
They added that the Madhesi people's demands are justifiable and should be addressed.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
U.N. says alarmed at violence in Nepal's plains
The United Nations said on Sunday it was "deeply concerned" by rising violence in Nepal's food producing southern plains which has left seven people dead.
Ethnic Madhesis in the country's Terai lowlands have been protesting for 10 days over what they say is the political and commercial dominance of people who live in the hills and mountains of Nepal's north.
In the latest unrest, one man was shot and killed by police on Sunday while dozens were injured. Three towns were placed under curfew.
"We are seeing a very worrying escalation of tension and violence in communities in the Terai," said Lena Sundh, representative in Nepal of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Madhesis say they face widespread discrimination, resulting in their under-representation in parliament, political parties, the army and police, despite being the majority in an area that is home to almost half the country's population of 26 million.
The Madhesis, who live in the fertile strip of land by the Indian border, are ethnically and culturally closer to people from neighbouring Indian states than to Nepalis from the hills.
The violence has tarnished a peace deal between the government and Maoist rebels sealed in November ending a conflict which killed 13,000 people.
Sundh warned that unless there was action, including dialogue, the violence could grow.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said he wants talks, but community leaders say they are yet to receive an invite.
In a statement, the United Nations urged leaders to reach out to the Madhesis and signal they are working to address their concerns. It called on the police to exercise greater restraint.
Six of the seven people to die have been shot by police, while one Madhesi was gunned down during a clash with Maoists.
In Sunday's violence in Kalaiya, 75 km (50 miles) southeast of Kathmandu, protesters defied a curfew to confront police.
Ethnic Madhesis in the country's Terai lowlands have been protesting for 10 days over what they say is the political and commercial dominance of people who live in the hills and mountains of Nepal's north.
In the latest unrest, one man was shot and killed by police on Sunday while dozens were injured. Three towns were placed under curfew.
"We are seeing a very worrying escalation of tension and violence in communities in the Terai," said Lena Sundh, representative in Nepal of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Madhesis say they face widespread discrimination, resulting in their under-representation in parliament, political parties, the army and police, despite being the majority in an area that is home to almost half the country's population of 26 million.
The Madhesis, who live in the fertile strip of land by the Indian border, are ethnically and culturally closer to people from neighbouring Indian states than to Nepalis from the hills.
The violence has tarnished a peace deal between the government and Maoist rebels sealed in November ending a conflict which killed 13,000 people.
Sundh warned that unless there was action, including dialogue, the violence could grow.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said he wants talks, but community leaders say they are yet to receive an invite.
In a statement, the United Nations urged leaders to reach out to the Madhesis and signal they are working to address their concerns. It called on the police to exercise greater restraint.
Six of the seven people to die have been shot by police, while one Madhesi was gunned down during a clash with Maoists.
In Sunday's violence in Kalaiya, 75 km (50 miles) southeast of Kathmandu, protesters defied a curfew to confront police.
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