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Kathmandu Valley Returned to Normal After Government Committed Probe Kathmandu, September 12, 2008- After the government committed on Friday to form a fair and honest probe into police excesses and the death of Pradeep Kumar Khadka, the crippled life in Kathmandu valley that resulted from the Nepal bandh returned to normal in the afternoon. The government promised to form a committee that would inquire into the killing of Khadka, following the adjournment of the Constituent Assembly (CA) meeting when the Nepali Congress (NC) lawmakers picketed the rostrum today. Minister for Water Resources Bishnu Poudel, speaking on behalf of the government at the CA, said that the committee would submit the report within 15 days of its formation. The joint strike was called by the Civil Society Struggle Committee, Nepali Congress (NC) and its student wing Nepal Students Union (NSU) to protest against the police excesses and alleged killing of Khadka, at Balkumari, Lalitpur on Wednesday night. Khadka, 38, resident of Katari VDC-4 in Udayapur District, was a lawyer and a construction entrepreneur by profession. He was a son of NC Udayapur District leader Arjun Khadka and a Nepali Congress activist himself. The Kathmandu Post quoted an eyewitness as saying that police had blown a whistle to stop Khadka's motorcycle at Balkumari Chowk as he was on his way home at about 9:15 pm on that unfortunate Wednesday night. Five policemen allegedly pounced on him, alleging that he had stopped his two-wheeler some few meters away from the spot. The eyewitness said the policemen started beating him up, reminding him of the directives of new Home Minister, Bam Dev Gautam. Protesters. The eyewitness said that despite the Khadka’s pleas the police continued beating him with wooden planks, sticks and boots. They reported that the police used obscene language and severely thrashed Khadka. Severe bruises could be clearly seen on Khadka’s face, chest and head, they said. Police later took Khadka to Patan Hospital for treatment, where he was pronounced dead. The police have claimed that Khadka died on his way to the hospital after he met with an accident and not because of beating. As police claimed he died in an accident, Khadka's family members refused to receive the body yesterday. The furious protestors obstructed the vehicular movement at major streets in the capital from early morning leading to closure of many schools in the valley. A team led by the father of the deceased was arrested as they were going to submit a memorandum to the Constituent Assembly chairman. This intensified the protest, but he too was released later. The agitators had called for the valley bandh, demanding the formation of an unbiased committee to inquire into the incident, that the deceased be declared a martyr, that action be taken against the guilty police personnel, and compensation be made to the bereaved family. The NC- Udaypur also called for an indefinite strike in the district to protest the murder and the police brutality. Markets, transportation in Gaighat, Katari and educational institutions in Belbaari of Udayapur District were shut down from this morning. Published: UsNepalOnline.Com ---------------------------------
Solidarity for Nepal-1 TV Journalists’ Protest
“We express our solidarity and support with Nepal-1 journalists and employees on their protest programs,” said Vice President of Association of Revolutionary Journalists, Om Sharma in a protest program organized by FNJ in Maititghar Mandala on Friday. Nepal-1 journos and employees have been protesting for 2 months demanding that management fulfill their demands including salary increments and appointment letters. In spite of a long period of protest from its journalists and employees, the television management remained silent in implementing the past agreement so FNJ announced that it will lead a new protest of journalists and employees associated with India-based Nepal-1 television. The FNJ said it took the initiative to pressure the television management to implement all past agreements promised to the journalists and employees. Milendra Rijal of Nepali Congress said that through last year’s agreement the management has to solve the problem and must compensate the journalists and employees. “Nepal government must play an important role in guaranteeing the rights and compensation of journalists as well,” he added. At the same program, Raghu G. Pant of CPN (UML), expressing the solidarity with the journalists, questioned the legal status of Nepal-1 channel in the country. “The management of the television channel is running the station by breaking Nepali law so they need to be transparent on their legal status. Furthermore, journalists should pose their questions to the Ministry of Information and Communication, and that will give strong reason to fight with the management,” added Pant. Parmananda Mehta of Madhesi People’s Rights Forum said, “Our solidarity and support are with you all. Please do not stop your protest until your demands are fulfilled.” He announced that FNJ will stage a sit-in protest in front of Singha Durbar this Sunday. Published: UsNepalONline.Com --------------------------------- Protesters Demand Public Apology from Nepal’s Vice President for his Oath taken in Hindi Kathmandu, July 26, 2008- Students have continued their massive protests against Nepal’s newly elected Vice President Parmananda Jha’s use of Hindi language while taking his oath of office, and the secrecy during the Presidential and Vice-Presidential swearing in ceremony at Shital Niwas on Wednesday. Student organizations affiliated with different parties staged demonstrations in various parts of the capital on Friday and demanded that VP Jha should publicly apologize for taking the oath of office in a "foreign language". Student leaders also said that this was a matter of grave concern which has put the sovereignty and nationality of the country at risk. “By using Hindi in such an important event achieved with the years of movement and sacrifices of Nepalis, Jha has insulted them and stabbed our sovereignty,” said Thakur Gaire, the President of All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU), a student wing of CPN (UML). He added that although eight student unions have not formally announced their protests against it, their regional, district and campus committees are protesting on their own accord all around the country. Condemning the Jha’s insensitive action Chairman of Free Student Union (FSU), Bhim Sirish said, “Jha’s action hurt Nepali’s feelings and sovereignty so he should publicly apologize.” Condemning the Jha’s insensitive action Chairman of Free Student Union (FSU), Bhim Sirish said, “Jha’s action hurt Nepali’s feelings and sovereignty so he should publicly apologize.” Different student associations of indigenous nationalities also condemn the incident and have demanded that Jha publicly apologize for his action. “Vice President of our nation taking his oath of office in another country’s national language is a challenge to our sovereignty,” said Bhoj Bikram Budha Magar, President of Nepal Magar Students Association (NMSA). Magar further added that unless Jha publicly apologizes there will be protests against him. Apparently enraged by Vice President Jha taking his oath in Hindi, students from all around the country have torched the Vice President’s effigy and obstructed vehicular movement. The demonstrations have halted public transport in these areas. However, market places remained partially open. Vice president Jha took the oath of office in secrecy by translating it into the Indian Hindi language, even though President Dr Ram Baran Yadav administered it in the Nepali language. The irate students have been protesting against the Vice President since Wednesday. A civil writ was filed at the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday demanding nullification of the oath taken by the Vice President. The writ was filed by advocate Bal Krishna Neupane claiming that Vice President Jha’s use of Hindi went against the legal provision in the Interim Constitution 2063. -Smita Magar in Kathmandu Published: UsNepalOnline.Com --------------------------------
Nepalese Royalists on Federalism in Nepal Kathmandu, July 24, 2008- Top leaders of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) expressed the need for clear concept on federalism in the Federal Democratic Republic Nepal, in an interaction program on Wednesday. The program was organized by the Federation of National Democratic Indigenous Nationalities (FNDIN), wing of RPP to urge the party to make its concept clear on federalism and other issues related to indigenous nationalities and other marginalized communities. Speaking in the same program, Former Prime Minister and senior leader of RPP Lokendrabahadur Chand said, “We believe in rights and proportional participation of janajati, dalit, Terai and all other minor and marginalized communities. We are also very positive about the federal system but how and on what basis is not clearly conceptualized, so, to make the concept clear, is of utmost necessity.” Chand also accused that main political parties of being unable to move ahead as they are focusing on minor things and not on the main issues. “The main thing for the parties to do right now is to make the constitution but they are ignoring its immediate necessity and wasting times in quarreling amongst themselves,” said Chand. RPP President Pashupati Sumsher J.B Rana expressed his concern about the present situation of the country. “Looking at past three months activities, Nepal has never been in such a pitiable condition. So all the parties should seek consensus to activate the government and start the constitution-making process for the development and peace process in the nation.” He also warned the Maoists not to turn their face away from the responsibility given to them by the people’s mandate. RPP supported the alliance of Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and Forum in the presidential election while in the Vice-Presidential election, it supported Maoists. Pashupati Shumsher J.B Rana said they participated in those elections for politics to `return to the consensus’ for the betterment of the country’s situation.
After the interaction program, FNDIN held a closed meeting with their leaders to suggest the party be clearer on federalism and other pertinent issues.
Published: UsNepalOnline.Com --------------------------------
Strikes after Strikes Paralyze Normal life in Nepal Kathmandu, June 24, 2008- Normal life across the nation has been paralyzed as public vehicles stayed off the road on Tuesday for the second consecutive day following the nationwide indefinite strike called by transport entrepreneurs on Monday. The transport strike is in opposition to the decision by the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management (MoLTM) last week to increase fares on public transport by 25 percent on top of the base rates fixed two years ago. They are demanding that the government raise fares by an additional 25 to 35 percent. The transporters have been holding talks with the government since early morning after failing to reach an understanding on Monday as both parties remained inflexible. However, until midnight they had not reached any understanding on Tuesday either, further complicating the plight of normal life for the public. In Kathmandu valley, there were no public vehicles seen on the road all day whereas on a normal day the roads are crowded. Only a few private vehicles, rickshaws and cycles were seen. In Pokhara, half a dozen tourist buses were vandalized by agitating transporters saying they disobeyed their call for strike. The buses were headed for Kathmandu carrying tourists from Korea and other countries. In this incident, one tourist was reported hurt. From last Thursday, Kathmandu valley and other neighboring districts are facing overlapping strikes called by transport entrepreneurs, student unions, and other parties opposing the price hike on POL (Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants). Eight political party-affiliated student unions staged strikes through Sunday demanding 50 percent fare discount.. On Monday morning they reached an agreement when the government agreed to a 45 percent discount on public vehicles for students with valid IDs. Before that the government had declared only 43 percent discount in the fare for students. At the same time, there are ongoing protests in other parts of the country by school children who are demanding textbooks. The increase in price of petroleum products has not only sparked protests from students and the transport entrepreneurs but also from petroleum dealers after the new fuel price was implemented. The Nepal Petroleum Dealers’ Association (NPDA) has been carrying out a series of protests since June 19, demanding the government ease fuel supply at the earliest and implement the agreements reached between the NPDA and the Nepal Oil Corporation in the past. These strikes and bandhs called by different parties are adding intensive woes to the general public at the start of this Federal Republic of Nepal with sky rocketing prices for food products as well. -Smita Magar in Kathmandu Published: UsNepalOnline.Com -------------------------------- बुद्धम शरणम्गच्छामी: प्रधानमन्त्री कोइरालादेखी प्रचन्डसम्म लुम्बिनिमा Lumbini, May 21, 2008-After a peace rally here at Lumbini on the 2552nd anniversary of the birth of Gautam Buddha and Lumbini Day, Speaker of the Interim Government Subash Chandra Nembang said that all required preparation has been made for the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) on 28th May (15 Jesth). “But to make the Constituent Assembly decisive according to the people’s mandate there is the utmost necessity for the “highest level of understanding” among the political parties,” Nembang said. He added that the Nepalese people have mandated that political parties work jointly for the peace process and the CA process. Only then will it truly respect the Light of Asia, Gautam Budhha and his teaching. After observing the historic place for the first time, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood stated that birth place of Buddha, his principles and various Buddhist shrines are among the the strongest connections between Nepal and India that signify peace and compassion of the people. “So, as Nepal is re-discovering itself now by moving away from violence toward democratic practice our sincere hope for Nepal is a path of peace and prosperity for all people of this region.” He added that India has recently offered help for the Lumbini Museum. On the same occasion, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala also visited Lumbini. unveiling an idol of Lord Buddha. Koirala said, “I have come to the birth place of Gautam Buddha, hoping to find some inspiration for peace and stability and development.” He also urged all people and political parties to set aside their greed and maintain harmony and cordial relationship for the development of the country. Koirala toured Nepal-Korea Friendship Peace Garden on the occasion.
Published: UsNepalOnline.Com --------------------------------- First Joint Rally of Seven Parties in Kathmandu
काठमाडौं, January 13, 2008 - At the first rally held in Kathmandu at the Ratnapark Open Air Theatre (Khulamancha), the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) of top leaders gave their verbal commitments to conduct Constituent Assembly (CA) polls on April 10. While addressing the joint assembly using the slogan “Participate in the CA election and ensure the Federal Democratic Republic”, the top SPA leaders said this is a “commitment assembly” to show all Nepalese and the entire world that they are serious about the CA polls and are determined to go to the CA elections on April 10. Prachanda warned the royalists, the foreign reactionaries, disintegrating forces and imperial forces that could oppose the CA elections by saying “People of Nepal are the ones to create history. No one can stop the Nepalese from creating their own new history with this CA polls.” Nepal witnessed the time for the birth of Gautam Buddha to restore peace and for Janga Bahadur Rana to demolish anarchism. “With the new Constituent Assembly they can be reborn at the same time in the same place. There will be a place for everyone” he said. Addressing several thousand at the mass gathering, Chairman of People’s Front Nepal, Amik Sherchan urged the government and the politicians to address the issues of Madhesh, Janajati, Women and Dalits. Senior Nepali Congress leader and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba came to the joint assembly representing Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala who was too ill to attend. Mr. Deuba said, “Through decentralization of federal systems we hope there will be equal development of the nation in every sector and every community. The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal will be the country of all citizens inclusive of all marginalized communities, Janajatis, Madhesh, women and Dalits who have been suppressed throughout our history.” UML General Secretary, Madhab Kumar Nepal said “Whoever tries to escape from the CA polls will be seen as oppositional and the obstructionists and should be boycotted by the Nepalese people.” “There are many challenges along the way but we can overcome them by facing them together. We must work together to succeed,.” Nepal added. United Left Front chairman CP Mainali, vice-chairman of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi) Shyam Sundar Gupta, Central Member of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party Prem Suwal and Sunil Prajapati of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party also addressed the mass meeting. Hostility erupted when Nepali Congress leader Deuba did not publicly apologize for the recent statement of Minister without Portfolio Sujata Koirala that the monarchy should have a space in the CA. Deuba had to be protected by several policemen and volunteers as protesters began to throw chairs and water bottles onto the dais. Minutes later, around 3:30 pm, a socket bomb was thrown at a minibus at Bhotahity, near Ratnapark injuring at least 8. They have been identified as Shiva Khadka, 46, resident of Narayanthan, Toran Gurung - Sankhuwasabha, 40, Dipesh Nepal - Dhading, 15, Bharat Tamang, 36, Bir Bahadur Tamang, 35, Ram Sunder Adhikari of Hattigauda, 37, Saraswati Lama of Narayanthan, 49 and Rajesh Shrestha, 39. According to doctors at Bir Hospital, no injuries were serious. The hospital source said that Dipesh Nepal suffered a head injury but it was not critical. Eye witnesses said that an unidentified person hurled the explosive device at the reserved minibus, registration number BA. 1. Kha 7278 which was carrying party activists returning from the assembly to Budanilkantha. No one has claimed responsibility for the blast yet. Published: UsNepalOnline.Com Our Special Contributor/Representative Smita Magar is an intern at The Kathmandu Post (Kantipur Publication) in Kathmandu. She can be reached at: Tel: +977-984-160-0316, or email her at: smitamagar@usnepalonline.com. To read her blog visit: http://www.smitazcorner.blogspot.com --------------------------------
Quiet Kathmandu! Of course, we had to celebrate this Dashain too with no water, no gas and no petrol as usual. But this time there was more to it. Something new got added. Good or bad? Hard to say anything yet but the festive season made Kathmandu very quiet! So quiet that it felt like an ancient Kathmandu has revealed itself once again to make us see what a beautiful city it is…quiet, calm and far from the maddening crowd. With half of the population of the city gone to celebrate Dashain in their own countryside home it was hard to find any shops opened, had to walk miles to find another soul walking in the road and with very few vehicles running, no traffic, no horns and no pollution, Kathmandu felt like not-Kathmandu. Usually our capital city Kathmandu means centralized economy, centralized population and centralized government of the country. It is the most crowded place, talk about pollution and you end up finding every kind of pollution discovered in the world and something more on it. There is shortage of everything in all seasons of the year. And yet we are so used to the life in it that it feels weird when it is quiet, calm and less polluted. But who knows, quietness could have different faces! At the time when I was being frightened with its quietness and the loneliness; and when every Nepali were busy with their celebration mood for the festival our government had the flashback. As history proves, from the takeover of Bhaktapur city by Prithvi Narayan Shah that in festive mood, Nepali can accept things that are not usually accepted in the usual times without a rage shown in streets. The idea was re-discovered six years ago by then King Gyanendra by declaring his son Paras as a Crown Prince during this same festive season. As expected, people did not protest it much as it would have been if it was in other usual times. So, the present government which is said to be formed out of the great people's movement in 2006 but in actual was born out of ruined womb of monarchism (more conformed after the Prime Minister's shown love towards King in very diplomatic words clearly declaring his views of Nepalese public as IDIOTS!) followed the same idea what Gyanendra had re-discovered and made full use of it. The result - price hiking of petrol, lubricants and gas! Of course this was done very quietly when Kathmandu is still very quiet. My salutations to our Government! Though it can not come up with own ideas it very smartly follows other's ideas. All of my appreciations! But, as the good and loyal citizen I must say though the idea of using the quietness and celebration mood of the festival is highly appreciable, Quietness and Calmness is NOT always good. Every one of us has heard about the calmness felt in air before storm comes. If anybody does not agree with this saying; don't go too far for example, just look at the fate of Monarchism in our country. It is still quiet here in Kathmandu so the finale result has not come yet. Wait till festive season is over and also let every youths come back to Kathmandu valley. Then the finale result of this quietness we are feeling right now will erupt, in what form it is hard to say. But, mark my words, please! Finale result is yet to come and frighteningly it seems it is not going to be very good sight!!! 27 October 2007 Published: SINCERA ----------------------- |
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