May 31, 2007

CA polls in November

A top-level meeting of the eight parties Thursday agreed to hold elections to constituent assembly (CA polls) in the third week of November and asking the Electoral Constituency Delineation Commission (ECDC) to review its report.

The meeting decided that Prime Minister will fix the exact elections date after consultations with the Election Commission (EC). Earlier the CA polls scheduled for mid-June was postponed after the EC expressed its inability of holding it due to lack of legislations and other preparations.

According to Janamorcha Nepal leader Amik Sherchan, the CPN-UML however objected to the decision of extending the term of the commission. Likewise, Maoists wrote note of decent on the decision to hold CA polls in November. The Nepal Sadbhawana Party wrote a note of decent on today’s decision, demanding that a fully proportional electoral system should be adopted for the CA polls.

Likewise, the meeting agreed to formulate all necessary laws for CA polls within two weeks.

The meeting had, as per the recommendations by the taskforce, decided to ask the ECDC led by former Supreme Court judge Arjun Prasad Singh to review its report in view of growing demands by Madhesi MPs to annul it. The Madhesi MPs have been stalling the parliament by putting forth this demand.

May 30, 2007

India to clarify its stance on Bhutanese refugee within 15 days

Officials of Nepal and India have reached three points agreement on the Bhutanese refugees participating on voluntary repatriation campaign.

In the meeting held between the officials of both of the country, India has agreed to release 15 refugees arrested from the demonstration on Tuesday. It also agreed to come up with clear stance of central government of India regarding the movement of Bhutanese refugee within 15 days.

In the talks, Nepali team was led by Chief District Officer of Jhapa, Jaya Mukunda Khanal accompanied by refugee leaders Balaram Paudel and Thinle Penjor among other. Similarly, Police Chief RS Nalba and officials from Darjeeling were present from Indian side.

Bhutanese refugees have been staging sit in on Mechi Bridge. The refugee staged sit in at the boarder as Indian police restricted them while they were trying to inter India to return homeland on Tuesday.

Bhutanese refugees who have been staying in Kathmandu also staged sit in front of Indian embassy protesting Indian atrocity over Bhutanese refugees. More than 10 million of Bhutanese refugees who have launched long march for repatriation have been barred to go ahead by Indian police. One refugee was killed on Tuesday when Indian police opened fire at participants of long march.

Meanwhile, following the talks, Bhutanese refugees on Wednesday called off their Long March for voluntary repatriation.

May 29, 2007

Blizzard kills at least 16 people in Dolpa, many go missing

At least 16 people have been killed and more than one hundred and half have gone missing in a blizzard in Taitung of kaigaun VDC of Dolpa district. The incident occurred Saturday night.

Heavy snowfall on Saturday night buried the people who were sheltering in the tents in course of collecting Yarchagumba, a kind of medicinal herbs.

A report quoted Indra Chaudhari, Assistant Sub Inspector at Dunai Police Station as saying that the team of Yarchagumba gatherers had set up tents at Taitung Lake since the last few days when a blizzard buried them under a blanket of snow and stranded them.

Nanku Budha who arrived at Area Police Office of Kaigaun VDC from Tangtyange Lekh Tueaday morning reported to police about the incident.

According to DSP Naresh Man Shrestha of Mid-western regional police office Surkhet the deceased have been identified as Lal Bahadur Budha, Dhanrupa Budha of Sarmi VDC 9, Deep Bahadur Budha, Bir Bahadur Budha, Khadag Budha, Laxmi Chand Budha, Pati Budha, Dil Bahadur Budha, Amrita Budha, Madhav Budha of Sarmi VDC 8, Rup Dhan Rokay, Ganga Devi Rokaya, Nandawati Rokaya, Lagani Rokaya, Sarina Rokaya of Sarmi VDC 6 and Nanda Kurala of Sarmi VDC 2.

Home Ministry spokesperson Baman Prasad Neupane said that rescue teams in helicopters had already been sent to the site of the mishap to rescue the survivors.

Though the trade of Yarshagumba (Cordyceps sinensis), that grows in the high meadows in the western Himalayan region of Nepal, is banned, it has an international market price of Rs. 250,000 per kg.

A majority of the rural poor and marginalized people from the high mountain areas of the Mid and Far Western Development Regions depend on these herbs for a partial income and health care with large gathering parties scouring the mountainside around this time every year.

May 28, 2007

Police and Bhutanese refugees clash in Beldangi; curfew clamped

Indefinite curfew has been clamped in Beldangi, Jhapa Monday after a clash that ensued between police and the agitating Bhutanese refugees – following the death of a refugee in a clash with the police personnel Sunday.

According to reports, at least seventeen persons including eleven policemen were injured today as clashes continued between the refugees and the police personnel.

Defying the crew, protesting refugees have continued their demonstrations.

Although the police has been firing shots in the air and shooting tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, the agitators have already marched in front of the Armed Police base camp. The police force, overwhelmed by the size of the crowd, has been unable to check the crowd's movement.

Although the local administration and police had called the agitating side for talks, the later had declined the offer.

Nara Pati Dhungel, 17, was killed Sunday when police opened fire in ‘self-defence’ after the refugees attacked a police team that had gone to the camp after receiving information that refugees were engaged in a fight.

Earlier, a clash had ensued between the police and the refugees when the former had gone to rescue Beldangi-2 camp secretary Hari Adhikari Bagale—who had been taken in to custody by the refugees for making controversial remarks in favour of resettlement in a third country that left one dead.

The agitators are also demanding that Bagale—who is currently taking shelter in the Armed Police base camp—be handed over to them.

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May 27, 2007

Teachers likely to sit for talks today; Bandh called off

Following the Education Ministry's request to call off the valley strike and sit for talks Sunday, the agitating Nepal Educational Republican Forum (NERF) is likely to sit for talks with the government.

Issuing a press statement today the Education Ministry had urged the Forum to withdraw the general strike to avoid any untoward incident.

According to reports, the agitating teachers and the Education Ministry are going to hold talks till today evening.

Similarly, the agitating teachers have called off the Bandh (general strike) they had called in the valley for today with effect from 5 pm.

They said the bandh will be lifted from 5 pm at the call of the government for the same and sit for talks to resolve their problems. President of the NERF, which had called the general strike, Gunaraj Lohani said they decided to lift the bandh as the government was found positive towards addressing their demands.

Earlier today, life in the valley had remained crippled due to a bandh called by the Forum, a group backed by Maoist teachers and students, against the police excesses during their agitation on Friday.

The agitators have demanded free treatment to the injured in the incident and sought apology from education minister Pradeep Nepal for his controversial remarks on the agitation.

Due to the shut down of the schools, at least 7.8 million students of over 35,000 schools across the country have been affected, which continues since last ten days.

Agitating teacher's strike cripples life in valley

Life in Kathamdnu valley has been crippled due to the Bandh (General Strike) called by Maoist aligned teacher's union Nepal Educational Republican Forum (NERF).

The front is supported by Maoist-teachers and students.Forum called strike against the police interference in their sit in program in front of education ministry on Friday.

No public and private vehicles have been plying on the roads in the valley from early morning. Shops at major market centers have been closed. Due to unavailability of vehicles, significant numbers of the pedestrians were observed on the streets.

The bandh callers have gathered at major centres of the city including Kalanki, Koteshwor, Chahabil, Kalimati and in several places along ring road.

They have burnt tyres on the road to disrupt the movement of vehicles.Due to the bandh, Sunday's schedule of the ongoing Akhil Cup football tournament and the Coca-Cola inter-school football tournament has been postponed.Dozens of agitating teachers were injured when police intervened in their sit-in program in front of the education ministry at Kesharmahal on Friday.

Agitators have demanded that Education Minister should apologize for the interference and should take responsibility of treatment of those injured. Agitating teachers have been have announced an indefinite closure of schools since May 19 demanding the fulfillment of their five-point demands which include provision of appointment letters, minimum benefits and annulment of the Company Act, among others, in order to stop commercialization of the education sector.

May 26, 2007

Petrol stock goes lowest in NOC's history

In the wake of existing petrol crisis, Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has said that the petrol deficiency in the days to come might further worsen. Most of the private pumps of the Kathmandu valley have already gone dry and the NOC has stocks to meet the demands of two days only.

It is the lowest volume of the stocks in the history of NOC. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has already reduced the fuel supply following NOC's failure to pay outstanding due.

A media report said that oil import from India would be completely halted for the next three days mainly due to the closure of custom points, as Bihar is conducting municipal polls from Saturday.Bishwo Nath Goyal, general manager of NOC said the fuel crisis might be averted if the government would agree to bear the current monthly losses of the corporation which stood at Rs. 254 million or increase the oil prices immediately to deal with the situation.

Since the government has already made it clear that it will not raise petroleum prices, the only option left to it is to guarantee additional funds to cover the monthly loss and to pay Rs. 240 million that the NOC has pledged to pay IOC every month as a part of a deal to gradually clear outstanding dues, Goyal said. Deputy general manager of NOC Umesh Dahal said that the sole oil importer has been forced to compromise with vital expenditures related to security of storage facilities due to its worsening financial condition.

Talking to media persons, he said that as a result of shrinking recurrent funds, some of the important and routine repair and maintenance activities have been delayed.

According to him, NOC currently has a storage capacity of 71,000 kiloliters across the country and it expends around Rs. 30 million for the purpose of routine repair and maintenance of highly sensitive storage facilities.

May 25, 2007

YCL cadres stone Moriarty's car in Damak

Cadres of Maoists youth arm Young Communist League (YCL) have pelted stones at the vehicle of United Nations in which American ambassador James F. Moriarty was travelling in Jhapa Friday.

“A group headed by the YCL Jhapa coordinator Prasanta pelted stones at the United Nations' vehicle (66-1-0077) in Jhapa. They also chanted slogans and waved black flags,” a news report quotes Damak area police office as saying.

No damage was reported in the incident and the situation is under control, police said.

Envoy Moriarty who is on a visit to Bhutanese refugee camps Friday said the Bhutanese refugees, living in different camps in the eastern Nepal, would be informed about the process of their resettlement in America within a week.

He made this remark while talking to local teachers and workers of the Yuva Maitri Sangh, at Beldangi-based camp in Jhapa district Friday.

Saying that America will resettle over 60,000 Bhutanese refugees in the USA, Moriarty said, “Refugees have the option either they like to go to America or not. We can not interfere with that.”

“For their resettlement process, office will be established in Jhapa district in June and the office will start from September month,” Moriarty said.

May 24, 2007

House session stalled again

The stalled parliamentary proceeding that was scheduled to resume on Thursday, has halted yet again. As Madheshi lawmakers remained stick with their stance, speaker of the interim legislature parliament Subhas Nemwang issued a notice that the parliamentary proceedings were put of till 1 pm Saturday.

Madhesi lawmakers who are demanding the annulment of the report of Electoral Constituencies Delimitation Committee (ECDC) and formation of the judicial committee to probe Terai unrest among other obstructed the session before it could begin. A Madheshi lawmaker Umakanta Chaudhary said they would let not the session be run until the government and Maoist pay heed to their demands.

Blaming the government of remaining indifference, Madheshi lawmakers have been disrupting the parliamentary proceedings for over last one month.

Though Speaker Nemwang, earlier Thursday morning, called on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to discuss the stalled House, the efforts to resume the proceedings failed this time too.

The lawmakers demanded the prime minister to address their problems or the eight parties come forward to hold talks with them.

May 23, 2007

Canada has announced that it would resettle up to 5

Canada has announced that it would resettle up to 5 thousand Bhutanese refugees living in camps of eastern Nepal. AFP news agency has said that Canada would resettle those refugees over the next three to five years.

The report quoted Canadian Immigration Minister Diane Finley as saying that the decision to resettle up to 5,000 refugees in Canada was part of a coordinated effort by a number of countries to address this longstanding refugee situation once and for all.

Some 108,000 Bhutanese refugees have been living in seven camps in eastern Nepal since the early 1990s.

Over the past few years, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has tried a combination of voluntary repatriation, local integration and resettlement.

May 22, 2007

ADB regrets over uncertainty of Melamchi

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said that government's inability to award management contract for Kathmandu Valley's water supply has landed the future of the Nepal's mammoth Melamchi project in uncertainty.

Issuing a press statement on Tuesday, ADB said it regretted over the fresh wave of uncertainty surrounding the Melamchi Drinking Water Project (MDWP).

ADB’s statement comes a day after the UK firm Severn Trent Water International (STWI) announced withdrawal of its bid following failure of the government to award management contract for Kathmandu valley’s water supply.

The STWI announced withdrawal of its bid on Monday, six days after the expiry of its ninth and final deadline to the government for award of the contract which was stalled by Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hisila Yami.

"The inability of the government to authorize the signing of the duly negotiated management contract at this very late stage creates considerable uncertainty on the way forward. As it stands now, it would not be possible to carry on with project activities, with the project due to close on June 30, 2007," the ADB release said, adding, "In such difficult circumstances, it is now for the government to decide how it wishes to proceed."

ADB is the largest donor to Melamchi project. Apart from its initial commitment of $120 million, the bank had committed an additional $45 million to Melamchi project in March this year when the project was scaled down from $464 million to $350 million owing to fund crunch.

May 21, 2007

Butwal revealed to be hub of red sandalwood smuggling

Amidst the several incidents of red sandal wood smuggling and seizure, the sandalwood smuggled from India through Sunauli transit point is revealed to have being stored in the locations surrounding Butwal, commercial city of western region. It is revealed that smugglers have been using rice mills and fertilizers and rice warehouses to hide such sandal wood.

The red sandal of huge amount has been founded stored in a mill of Devdaha near Butwal and Karauti VDC ward No. 1 near Bhairahawa on Sunday. The sandal wood was found when a team of police, district forest office staffs and activists of CPN-Maoist affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) raided a mill of Pipaldada based on the information that smugglers were using the locations for sandal storage.

Seized sandal wood worth around Rs. 30 million was hidden under the sacks of rice and chemical fertilizer. The Mill owner Rabis Agrawal has been operating business of rice and fertilizer for last three years.

The local people claimed that Agrawal had been smuggling sandal wood for a long time. They said piles of wood would be visualized in the night at his warehouse and would disappear before the dawn. “we would suspect him and also asked what they were, he would reply that he was sending wood to Kathmandu for friend’s furniture” Agrawal’s neighbor Damodar Sharma said “he used to transport those wood hiding under the sacks of rice and fertilizer.”

Another neighbor of Agrawal, Gita said “We have already suspected him but today it is proved.” Police has suspected that smugglers might have used the locations surrounding Butawal to store the sandal wood. The police also said that it would raid some other suspected areas. Police has arrested Shakuntala Agrawal, wife of Rabish Agrawal as he has escaped.

Two days earlier, the sandal wood belonging to Agrawal was seized from Chitawan while being carried to Kathamandu.

Likewise, 20 quintals of sandal wood, 3 hundred sacks of illegally traded fertilizer and 70 sacks of cement was seized from ward no 1 of Karauti VDC with the help of YCL activists. According to YCL central member Jitendra those seized materials belonged to Amar Jeet Yadav.
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May 20, 2007

YCL Cadres Beat Up Civilian, Ex-cop

The cadres of Young Communist League (YCL) beat up a civilian, tarred his face and took him round the village in Bardiya on Saturday.

The YCL cadres tarred face of Narayan Bikram Rana, a resident at Khata of Dhodhari VDC-9 and took him round the village for one and half hours, SP at Bardiya district police, Shyam Bahadur Khadka said, adding that YCL cadres also beat up Rana at his legs with sticks.

Police reached the site and freed Rana from YCL cadres. Three YCL cadres were arrested from the site, police said, adding that Rana was taken to the district police office due to security reason.

YCL cadres said they tarred Rana who owns 20 bighas of land in Dhodhari as he was a landlord and exploiting people.

Meanwhile, cadres of the Young Communist League (YCL), youth wing of the CPN-Maoist beat up ex-policeman Lokraj Baral at Shantibatka, Ratnapark, following heated argument among them on Saturday, police said.

A news report quated SP Dhak Bahadur Karki at the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range as saying, "We reached the spot immediately after we received the information. But, the YCL cadres fled the scene."

SP Karki said they found Regmi lying on the ground with his hands and legs tied and was also injured.

"Search is on to nab the culprits," SP Karki said.

May 19, 2007

Prachanda warns to stage nationwide general strike

Chairman of CPN-Maoist Prachanda Saturday warned of staging nationwide general strike from Sunday onwards if the government didn't take firm decision about the management of the camps of People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Speaking in a press meet in Pokhara, Prachanda said, “Our party will launch a nationwide general strike if government doesn't take any initiatives for the management of cantonment sites by this evening.”

Prachanda further said that he informed Prime Minister GP Koirala about the decision to launch general strike over telephone Friday.

“PM has been informed that we cannot move forward by leaving 31 thousand PLA men in lurch. There is no other alternative to agitation if the government doesn't take initiatives for the management of Maoist camps by Saturday evening”, he said.

Reiterating his stance that the constituent Assembly elections could not take place until monarchy was abolished, the Maoist Chairman said that the NC was standing in the way of a republic declaration through the parliament. He was of a view that the CA polls could not take place if just one of the eight-parties speaks in favor of monarchy.

Prachanda added that though a polls date may be fixed for mid-November, the elections could take place without declaring a republican setup first.

Chairman Prachanda also stated that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was positive on the issue of declaring a republic through the parliament during meetings to this end.

On the occasion, he claimed that his party could set things right in Terai in just 15 days if the government was to authorize it to do so.

May 18, 2007

EU countries ambassadors confer with PM, assure support

Ambassadors of various EU countries have suggested Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to announce a date for the Constituent Assembly (CA) polls. During the consultations held by PM Friday morning, they also asked to maintain law and order situation in the country.

PM held consultations with ambassadors of France, Germany, UK and Denmark at his official residence at Baluwatar. The discussion was concentrated on the latest political situation of Nepal.

According to the PM's foreign affairs advisor Suresh Chalise, who was present at the meeting, the PM informed the envoys that once the eight parties decide on the month on which to hold the polls, the government would fix the election date.

Emerging from the meeting, German ambassador to Nepal Franz Ring told media people that the EU diplomats suggested the PM to announce a date for constituent assembly polls soon. He also said they asked the PM to control the unruly activities of the Maoist-affiliated Youth Communist League stating that EU diplomats were of view of dissolving the YCL.

In the meeting, the German ambassador assured the PM of increasing aid to Nepal to establish peace and lasting democracy through constituent assembly polls.

May 17, 2007

ADB says it will pull out from Melamchi

Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarter has sent a letter to Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat stating that it would pull out from the Melamchi Drinking Water Project. ADB’s letter comes after Minister for Physical and Works Hisila Yami’s decision to review the earlier agreement of awarding the contract of managing valley’s drinking water to UK’s Severn Trent Company.

The ADB is the leading donor of the project and has agreed to provide loan of USD 140 million for the Melamchi project.

Citing its internationally discredited image and need to maintain government/public hold on water management, Minister Yami had made the decision to review the agreement. This agreement was approved by the previous cabinet. The agreement to award the foreign company the contract to manage valley's water distribution was a precondition for the ADB to invest in the US$ 340 million project.

The Melamchi project aims to bring in 170 million litres a day (MLD) water to the Kathmandu valley. The valley has been suffering from acute shortage of drinking water – while its demands have shot up to 240 MLD, the supplies have stagnated at 90 MLD.

Meanwhile, talking to a media, minister Yami has said that she was not against the project as Melamchi was important for the long term. “Our only concern is that the government and the people should have the hold on the management of basic things like water," the report quoted Yami as saying.

All schools across the nation face indefinite shutdown

In a bid to press the government and private school operators to implement the 19-point agreement regarding appointment letter for teachers, salary and benefits on par with government schools' teachers, the Institutional School Teachers Union (ISTU) has launched indefinite nationwide shutdown of all schools across the nation from Thursday.

The ISNU, which has also support from the Nepal Educational Republican Forum (NERF), has been gheraoing Education Ministry and departments for the last few days.

Issuing a joint statement on Wednesday, All Nepal Teachers Union (ANTU) and All Nepal Free Student Union- Revolutionary (ANFSU-R) too stated they have no option than to continue their protest programs since the government has failed to implement the agreement regarding teachers' demands.

"To get something we have to lose something; though we are aware that closing down all schools will hamper students' education, we have no option as the government has not acted responsibly regarding our demands," said the statement.

The statement informs that starting from Thursday; all schools across the nation will be shut down indefinitely.

However, the ongoing examinations of grade XI will not be hampered.

On coming Saturday, the union will hold interactions with all concerned stakeholders as well as carry out one hour of transportation strike in Kathmandu Valley, followed by various other programs in the following days.

On the other hand, the Private and Boarding Schools Organization of Nepal (PABSON) and National-PABSON are going to deliver their memo to the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Thursday.

PABSON and N-PABSON – umbrella organisations of over 8,000 private schools have also called for indefinite nationwide shutdown of schools across the nation.

On Wednesday, PABSON and N-PABSON had warned that they will not pay salaries to teachers and staffs during the period of strike.

Umesh Shrestha, president of PABSON delivering memo to Education Ministry had appealed to the ministry to pay serious attention to the problem and resolve it through negotiation with the agitators.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and Sports also issued a statement urging the teachers union to call off the strike programs and let schools run smoothly. "The problems can be sorted out through peaceful dialogue," said the statement. "The ministry is in the process of amending the necessary provisions in the Education Act as per the teachers' valid demands."

Similarly, by issuing separate statements, Parents Association Nepal and Private and Boarding School Employees' Union, Nepal have urged the concerned parties to solve the problem through dialogue and not paralyze the entire school education sector in a thoughtless manner.

May 16, 2007

PM's opinion on CA polls positive: Martin

The Chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal Ian Martin reacted that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's opinion to hold Constituent Assembly (CA) polls within November 26 was positive.

Stating that even election commission, government and people were of view to hold CA polls in November/ December, Martin opined this time would be appropriate.


Martin said that the opinion of holding election in November/December implied the will of holding the polls as soon as possible.UNMIN Chief Martin opined that second phase of verification of arms and People's Liberation Army (PLA) should be started at the earliest.

Marin also emphasized to the need of cantonment management.

Talking to the media people at Tribhuvan international airport on Wednesday after his arrival from New York, Martin said this. Martin had left for UN headquarter at New York on May 1st to report on Nepal's latest situation of peace process.

May 15, 2007

Petrol shortage turning normal

The petrol crisis sparked off by curtail in supply from Indian Oil corporation (IOC) is turning normal as IOC increased the volume of supply. However, IOC is still maintained control to other petroleum products.

A report quoted Umesh Dahal, Deputy General Manager of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) as saying that the Indian supplier on Monday issued 400,000 kiloliters of petrol, which is twofold the quantity it was issuing for over the past 10 days.

The increased supply, however, is still less than normal import volume. IOC continued to cut supply of diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel by 40 percent, according to NOC officials. The petrol supply of increased volume is not the regular resumption.

"The relaxation on petrol supply has been done for the time being only, and NOC will receive normal supplies once it releases fresh installment to clear past dues," the report quoted Iccha Bikram Thapa, NOC spokesperson as saying. NOC owes Rs. 6 billion to the IOC. Owing to accumulated loss, it failed to release the scheduled payment of Rs. 240 million this month, which culminated in reduction of supply from IOC by 40 percent.

May 14, 2007

Schools shut down across the country

The protest programme being organised by Nepal Educational Republican Forum (NERF) (NERF) and the Institutional School Teachers’ Union (ISTU) forced a nationwide shutdown of all government, private and community run schools across the country.

Since January NERF and ISTU is demanding, among others, appointment letter for teachers, salary and benefits on par with government schools' teachers.The teacher’s union ISTU along with NERF also staged a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Education (MoE) on Sunday protesting the government’s failure to meet their demands.

The protesting teachers said that they were compelled to take this drastic measure because of the government’s failure to implement the 19-point agreement reached earlier with the ministry and Private and Boarding School’s Organization (PABSON).

They also warned that they would announce an indefinite closure of schools from May 17 if the government failed to fulfill their demands.

Meanwhile, Education Ministry spokesperson Laba Prasad Tripathee told the Himalayan Times that the government is very serious about the teachers’ problems and are holding talks with the teachers' union and other stakeholders to solve the problem within this week.

May 13, 2007

Maoists register motion to declare republic in parliament

Communist Party of Nepal Maoist (CPN-M) has registered a public interest proposal seeking an immediate declaration of a republic setup through the interim legislature-parliament.

Submitting the eight-point proposal, the Maoists have demanded an immediate declaration of republican setup to fulfill the mandate of the People's War and the Jana Aandolan II and to guarantee the Constituent Assembly.

The motion also seeks proper management of the PLA cantonments and the upkeep of the combatants and initiation of the process to form a national army inducting the PLA as cited in the interim constitution and arrest and action against those responsible for the Gaur killings, among others.

The proposal has also demanded that all those killed during the decade-long insurgency and the Jana Aandolan II be declared martyrs.

In a press meet organized at the parliamentary party office after the registration, Maoist chief whip Dina Nath Sharma blamed the government for its indifference towards camp management, which according to Sharma has "ambushed" the entire peace process.

Maoists gherao Singha Durbar

Meanwhile, the Maoists today, gheraoed the Singha Durbar to put pressure on the government to announce a federal democratic republic set up in the country immediately.

According to the Maoist source, the Maoists gheraoed the Singha Durbar by forming a human chain that ran through Bagbazzar, Dillibazaar, Bhotahiti, Sundhara, Tripureshwore, Thapathali, Maitighar, Babar Mahal, Bizulibazaar and Dhobikhola.

The protest program was also participated by members of the various Maoist sister organisations.

May 12, 2007

Maoists keep on violating promises on property issue

Despite the frequent promises of returning the captured property made public by CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda, Maoists have kept on the series of violating the commitments on the issue.

The Bajura district committee of the CPN-M on Thursday announced that it would recapture the land and properties it returned to the owners, who had returned to the district after the signing of the peace accord.

Maoists have said they would not return any more seized houses, land and properties.
A media report said that the Maoists issued a notice asking the public not to pay back loans to the Agricultural Development Bank at a function held at Martadi, headquarters of Bajura district.

In its 12 points decision, made public by the Maoist on the same occasion sates that the party would seize properties from more landlords for distribution among the landless. The Maoists also said they were going to intensify their donation drive from next week stating that those who refuse to pay donations would be blacklisted.

The report quoted that Maoist district in-charge Sahadev Bogati as claiming that the decisions would be implemented strictly as they were pro-people decisions.

CPN-M has been making clear that it has not any policy of capturing property; instead it has initiated the process of returning the land and property.

May 11, 2007

MoF asked to clear due to IOC, two pumps sealed

Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) has asked Ministry of Finance (MoF) for the clearance of due to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). Sending a letter, MoICS asked MoF to pay due to the IOC.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) Rajendra Mahato informed this on Friday. The MoICS sent such letter as IOC began to curtail the supply following Nepal’s failure to clear the due. NOC owes Rs. 6 billion to IOC and it has also not paid the monthly bills for the last month.

Curtail in supply has hit the Kahtmandu valley hard on Thursday. Long queues of vehicles were visible in the refilling stations, which has been narrowed down to nine from over 100 authorized dealers in the Valley due to insufficient stock at Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) depots.

The crisis surfaced after Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) slashed supplies from Raxaul, the largest import point, by 40 percent on the grounds of lack of payment of monthly import bills from Monday.

Bishwa Nath Goyal, NOC managing director said it had stock for just two days informing that corporation restricted supplies to half the normal requirement in order to manage the stock.

Two pumps sealed

Meanwhile, NOC has sealed two petrol pumps located in the Kathmandu valley on charge of excessive adulteration of kerosene in the petrol. NOC, with the help of Loktantrik Consumer Rights Forum sealed Rajdhani Oil Store of Chabahil and Trishul Oil Store of Kalanki on Friday.

Secretary General of the Forum Basudev Acharya said they caught pumps red handed while distributing adulterated petrol. NOC informed that it initiated action against those pumps. NOC managing director Goyal also said NOC was monitoring the pumps as there was possibility of adulteration during the period of fuel deficiency.

May 10, 2007

Remittance's outstanding contribution to GDP rise

Remittance, money earned by Nepalese working overseas, has significantly contributed to the growth of gross domestic products (GDP) of the country. The remittance has surpassed exports as the top contributor to foreign exchange earnings.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) revealed this in a report released on Wednesday. NRB's report on ‘Inflow of Workers’ Remittances: Nepal’s Experiences’ presented at SAARC-Finance seminar on Management of Workers’ Remittances in SAARC Countries said remittance has positioned itself now as the top contributor to foreign exchange earning for last five years.

The remittance had contributed by 11.5 per cent in 2000-01 and 16.8 per cent in 2005-06.

According to the report, the share of remittances in total foreign exchange earnings increased from 36.6 per cent in 2003-04 to 46.7 per cent in 2005-06, whereas the corresponding share of exports dropped to 29.4 per cent in 2005-06 from 34.5 per cent in 2003-04.

The growing remittances have led to a surplus in the current account, thereby strengthening the overall balance of payment position. The share of remittances in total current account soared to 46.7 per cent from 29.8 per cent in the past five years. Growth of 26 per cent in convertible currency reserves of the banking system is also due to increasing remittances.

The report also shows that the inflow of remittances through official channels registered a dramatic rise from Rs 47.53 billion in 2001-02 to Rs 97.68 billion in 2005-06.

May 9, 2007

Resident doctors stop attending Bir hospital emergency

Resident doctors of the government owned Bir Hospital have stopped attending emergency service from Wednesday morning. Demanding the facilities of anesthetic and other services in the hospital, they didn't attend the emergency service. The doctors had closed Out Patient Department (OPD) on Monday and Tuesday also.

The resident doctors have said that surgery of various kinds has been obstructed for last two months as no anesthetist is available in the hospital. They have also warned of strike if the demands were not met.

"As there is no anesthetist, we couldn't go to OPD even as patients who were given dates for surgery started coming to the hospital," said Dr. Gopesh Thakur.

He said it was dishonorable to provide treatment when there is lack of proper equipment and human resources. Poor people who cannot afford treatment in private or other expensive hospitals stay in queue for months to avail of surgery at Bir Hospital.

The hospital, which used to carry out about 20 operations daily, has not conducted a single one for the past three months.

One hundred and seventy-one resident doctors have stopped attending the OPD of the hospital since Monday to pressurize the hospital management to manage anesthetists and other requirements of the hospital.

The doctors are from the category of master of surgery, anesthesia, orthopedic, general medicine, pathology, radio therapy, radio diagnosis, eye, gynecology, pediatric and general practitioner.

May 8, 2007

Human Rights Watch asks Maoist to free child soldier

The Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international human rights group has asked Nepal's former communist rebels on Tuesday to immediately free children who have been in their armed forces.

Associated Press reported that New York-based Human Rights Watch, in its statement, has asked to free children from armed force. The statement said that thousands of child soldiers who are confined in camps under a peace accord should be freed and allowed to return to their families. The group said it has written a letter to Nepal's Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma "to secure the Maoists cooperation with the United Nations and child protection agencies to allow children to return home without further delay."

According to the report, the group claimed that out of the 31,000 former Maoist combatants in these camps, an estimated 6,000-8,000 are believed to be under the age of 18.

Under the peace deal signed last year between the Maoists and the government, thousands of their combatants were confined in camps under U.N. supervision and their weapons locked up.

The Maoists have since joined Parliament and an interim government which is to conduct elections later this year.

Minister Bishwakarma, also a member of the Maoists in government, could not be reached for comment but the Maoists have repeatedly denied having recruited anyone under the age of 18 in their armed division.

The UN, which has completed collecting information from ex-combatants in the camps, has said it would begin a second round of age verification.

"There's no excuse for letting children languish in cantonment sites month after month. Under the terms of Nepal's peace agreement, these children should be released immediately so they can enter rehabilitation programs, get back into school, and rejoin their families," the report quoted Human Rights Watch’s statement.

'Stunning' Nepal Buddha art find

Paintings of Buddha dating back at least to the 12th century have been discovered in a cave in a remote area of Nepal's north-central region.

Researchers made the find after being tipped off by a local sheep herder. They discovered a mural with 55 panels showing the story of Buddha's life.

The mural was uncovered in March, with the team using ice axes to break through a snow path to reach the cave.

The find was in the Mustang area, 250km (160 miles) north-west of Kathmandu.

Sheer cliffs

"What we found is fantastically rich in culture and heritage and goes to the 12th century or earlier," American writer and conservationist Broughton Coburn told the AP news agency.

Mr Coburn said the main mural measured around 8m (25ft) wide, and each panel was about 35cm (14in) by 43cm (17in).

It was set in sheer 14,000ft (4,300m) cliffs in Nepal's remote Himalayan north.

The team of international researchers - including film makers, climbers and archaeologists - from Nepal, Italy and the US were told of the works of art by a sheep herder.

In passing conversation he said that he had seen a cave with old paintings in it several years ago as he took shelter from the rain.

It turned out to be a treasure trove of Buddhist art, consisting of a complex of caves several hours walking distance apart.

The team says that there are around 20 openings in each complex, with multiple floors connected by vertical passages with rudimentary hand and footholds, requiring some climbing skill to negotiate.

'Marvellous mystery'

Besides the main mural, other paintings were discovered which the team believes are marginally older.

A nearby cave had manuscripts written in the Tibetan language, which were photographed by the team to be translated later by experts, along with pre-Christian era pottery shards.

"Who lived in those caves? When were they there, when were (the caves) first excavated and how did the residents access them, perched as they are on vertical cliffs?" asked Mr Coburn.

"It's a compelling, marvellous mystery."

Mr Coburn said that his team would try and find answers by performing limited excavations, in addition to collecting and cataloguing the manuscripts.

The team has refused to divulge the exact location of the caves to prevent the possibility of visitors disturbing the centuries-old art.

The expedition spent three weeks in the remote mountainous area, which for centuries has been used as a major transit route between Nepal and Tibet.

Mr Coburn said that there were other mounds which may hide further treasures.

He said the artefacts had remained unpillaged partly because the area north of Mount Annapurna has, until recently, been inaccessible.
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News Source: www.bbc.co.uk/southasia

May 7, 2007

Maoist victims announce agitation programme

The Maoist victims have Sunday announced fresh protest programmes to put pressure on the government to meet its 15-point demand.

According to Bhoj Raj Timilsina, coordinator of The Association of Victims of Maoist Atrocities (AVMA) that the AVMA was compelled to announce fresh protest programmes as the government made no efforts to meet its demands.

Their protest programmes include sit-ins in front of the Indian Embassy, American Embassy, United Nations Office at Pulchowk on May 9, 11 and 14 and a gathering of Maoist victims at the Tinkune camp on May 16.

"If our demands are not met, we will stage a strike in the valley on May 17," he said, adding, "We will organise a sit-in at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at Tahachal on May 21."

Even after being a part of the government, the Maoists have not created a conducive environment for the displaced to return home, he said, adding, "Though the Maoists are in the government, they have not changed their behaviour."

He warned that the AVMA will announce decisive protest programmes if the government does not address its demands.

Demanding a probe into the killing of their relatives and legal action against the killers, the Maoist victims have been staying at the Tinkune camp since March 10. They have also urged the government to declare those killed by the Maoists as martyrs and return property "looted" by the Maoists.

Spencer Tunick's nude photography at Zocalo square in Mexico City, where 18,000 people posed for him

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Photo Sources: Agencies

Tunick's Mexico City shoot attracts 18,000 nude volunteers

Approximately 18,000 people stripped down for Spencer Tunick in Mexico City's largest square on Sunday morning, setting a new record for the U.S. photographer famed for his mass nude photo shoots.

Male and female volunteers of different ages stood and saluted, lay down on the ground, crouched in the fetal position and otherwise posed for Tunick's lens in Mexico City's Zocalo Square, the city's massive central plaza also known as Plaza de la Constitucion.

"What a moment for the Mexican art scene!" Tunick said at a news conference.

"I think all eyes are looking south from the United States to Mexico City to see how a country can be free and treat the naked body as art. Not as pornography or as a crime, but with happiness and caring."

In the past, the U.S. photographer faced arrest — even at home in New York — for his photo shoots, in which he snaps images of nude volunteers in public. However, nudity is more widely accepted in Mexico, where protestors sometimes attend demonstrations nude or clad only in underwear.

The turnout for Sunday's photo shoot far surpassed Tunick's previous record, when about 7,000 people showed up to pose for him in Barcelona.

This latest photo shoot was about five years in the making, with Mexican officials first turning down the photographer's request to set the shoot at the Teotihuacan pyramids outside the capital.

Tunick has staged his photo shoots around the world, including in London, Vienna, Sao Paulo, Caracas, Buffalo and Montreal.
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News Source: CBC.ca Arts

May 6, 2007

NC district presidents want clear stance on monarchy

District presidents of the Nepali Congress (NC) have pressurized the party leadership to make a clear stance on monarchy and go for a republican set up as early as possible so that they could not lose credibility while facing the people.

Speaking during the ongoing meeting of district presidents at the party headquarters in Sanepa on Sunday they also expressed worries about the failure to implement the agreements and understandings reached between the seven political parties and the Maoists.

In the meting, Central Working Committee (CWC) member Narahari Acharya said the NC must opt for republican set up prior to six months the constituent assembly polls take place.

During the meeting leaders from various districts and sister organizations of NC sought the party leadership’s attention towards being clear about the future agendas of the party.

Likewise, the meeting has expressed its solidarity towards the agitating Nepal 1 journalists who are on fast-unto death strike demanding appointment letters, and effective management, among others.

The district chiefs Sunday spoke about the current political issues and briefed the meeting about the situations in their respective districts.

As all the district heads haven’t finished speaking, the meeting which was scheduled to conclude Sunday will be extended for a day, NC sources said.

May 5, 2007

Peace process in Nepal firm and on track: Martin

Ian Martin, head of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIM) has said that despite the postponement of elections in Nepal, the peace process is track and developing firmly.

“Fundamentally I’m optimistic, because it was the people of Nepal who took their future in their hands in a very dramatic way in the people’s movement of a year ago,” reports quoted Martin as saying who was briefing the Security Council at UN headquarters in New York.

He said that no one could have imagined a year ago that the King of Nepal would have relinquished executive authority and that the resulting cease-fire could have blossomed into a full, comprehensive peace agreement that has already made strides under UN monitoring.

At the same time, he pointed out that the timetable for the election of the Constituent Assembly, which will adopt a constitution for the country, has been delayed because regulations governing the process are not yet ready.

Meanwhile, Martin said, he hoped the Nepalese, with the assistance of UNMIN, will be able to improve security conditions for the elections and work for the full inclusion of marginalized ethic groups.

At Friday’s briefing Martin reported that, with reports of snakes and tents blowing away, cantonment conditions are, indeed, “extremely unsatisfactory.” There are now plans for the construction of more permanent living structures, he said.

May 4, 2007

I take the responsibility of deferral of CA polls: PM Koirala

Girija Prasad Koirala, Prime Minister and the president of Nepali Congress (NC) on Friday said that he take the responsibility of the deferral of Constituent Assembly election.

Addressing the inaugural eremony of the NC district chief’s meeting at the party head office in Sanepa, PM Koirala said that as the PM of the country it was his responsibility to hold Constituent Assembly (CA) elections on time.

PM Koirala said that he was not deterred by the accusations that the CA polls could not be held in time.

“I take the responsibility of the deferral of CA polls, and take criticism positively and am not discouraged by it,” the PM said.

PM Koirala further showed his commitment that no matter late he would hold the CA election at any cost.

Directing the party cadres no to execute any actions that would break the unity of eight-party, PM Koirala urged the leaders of political parties not to make statements of allegations and counter-allegations.

Addressing the meeting, Shushil Koirala, vice-president of NC said that the country is still unstable even with the establishment of Loktantra (Democracy). He urged the Maoists to immediately stop the acts of intimidation, extortion, and abduction.

Koirala blamed that Young Communist League (YCL), sister organization of CPN-M is terrorizing the people and urged them to stop such misdeeds.

General Secretary of NC and Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, Ram Chandra Poudel blamed that Maoists minister are showing their double standard character by demanding the salaries to the Maoists armies.

The meeting, which is being held up to Sunday, is said to discuss the official view of the NC party on Monarchy, proclamation of republic through Interim-Legislature Parliament, and the preparation for Constituent Assembly election.

May 3, 2007

CAN Soft-Tech-2007 kicks off

With an objective of promoting Nepali software and exploring markets for knowledge-based industry, CAN Soft-Tech-2007, first national software fair of the country, has started at the United World Trade Center from Wednesday.

The four-day long event is being organised by Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) for the first time in the country and will last till May 5.

About 60 different companies, including four from India, three from South Korea and one from Sri Lanka are showcasing their products and services through 77 stalls during the CAN Softech-2007.

Inaugurating the event, Mahantha Thakur, minister for environment, science and technology, reiterated the government’s support for the development of information and communication technology (ICT).

“ICT has always been a priority sector,” he said, adding that the government would soon unveil new projects for ICT.

Thakur further said that policies to attract foreign investment in ICT and to create a conducive environment would be soon formulated.

The expo would give exposure to the Nepali software developers and industry people to the international arena and will be beneficial for them in exploring markets outside the country, said Biplav Man Singh, president of CAN. “It will also serve as a platform to highlight Nepal’s strength in software development, BPO and IT solutions.”

According to CAN, the event is expected to attract about 30,000 quality visitors. Two separate halls have been arranged for demonstration of the products and services. Business meeting room, telephone and internet facilities in each stall are some of the features of the event, which will facilitate both the exhibitors and customers to experience a real virtual world.

May 2, 2007

Pre-conditions in PLA registration unacceptable : UNMIN

United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) has said that it can not accept any preconditions of the Maoists that delay the second stage of registration and verification of the Maoists combatants.

In a meeting on Monday of the UN-chaired Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee(JMCC), that comprises members from the Nepali Army and the Maoists' People's Liberation Army (PLA), Maoist representatives had said they won’t allow second stage of registration and verification of its combatants until political deadlock is broken and the government fulfills the physical requirements at the cantonments.

In a press conference organised in UN House Tuesday, Ian Martin Special Representative of the Secretary-General and chief of UNMIN said “The obligation on the CPN (M) to allow verification to proceed is unconditional, and I have made clear to the Maoist leadership that UNMIN cannot accept its linkage to any pre-conditions.”

He further said UNMIN is set to initiate the second stage of registration and verification of the Maoists combatants for two purposes: to identify minors who under the agreement must be discharged and to determine whether personnel were recruited after 25 May 2006, in breach of the ceasefire code of conduct.

He informed that the Maoists were not allowing the second stage of registration and verification stating to improve the conditions in the cantonments, government remuneration for those registered there and the formation of the committee envisaged by Article 146 of the Interim Constitution to take the responsibility for the future of the Maoist army.

He however, said that the postponement of the Constituent Assembly election may prolong so it is urgent to improve conditions of the cantonments which have repeatedly proved to be unsatisfactory.
Martin also raised the concern of UNMIN’s mandate to assist in monitoring the ceasefire agreements, together with OHCHR-Nepal’s human rights monitoring. “The media regularly reports allegations and denial of breaches of agreements, such a situation cries out for monitoring which is independent of the political actors themselves, and I repeat my hope that UNMIN’s civil affairs officers will soon be able to work with an independent national monitoring body, as well as with the local peace committees to be established as part of the Common Minimum Programme.

He further urged that all parties must fulfill their commitment to respect the rights of all citizens to participate in public life and political activity freely and without fear.

May 1, 2007

Photos of pro-Maoist workers' International Labour Day May 1 in Khulla Manch

Participants of the Pro-maoist workers gathering hearing Prachanda's address
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Prachanda, chairman of CPN-M addressing mass on the occasion of International Labour Day
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Activists of CPN-M cheering during the mass gathering
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Artists from CPN-M performing cultural dance
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CPN-M artiests performing on the stage
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NA discovers unidentified plastic bag in QA flight

Nepal Army (NA) personnel have discovered an unidentified plastic bag from Qatar Airways (QA) flight which landed at 7.05 this morning in Kathmandu from Doha in regular flight.

After getting information of bomb in the QA flight from Kolkotta airport, NA personnel had reached Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) with dog squad, ambulance and fire brigades.

NA taking the aircraft in a safe place had searched and discovered the unidentified plastic bag.

TIA officials say, TIA already finished passengers' security check but checking of their luggages is still undergoing.

TIA's other regular flights have not been delayed.

The information of bomb was forwarded by Bangalore airport to Kolkatta airport and from Kolkatta airport to Kathmandu airport this morning.