India concerned over Maoist `blockade,' Deuba likely to visit Delhi

New Delhi is monitoring the unfolding situation in one of its close neighbours and is concerned over the Maoist 'blockade' of capital, Kathmandu, reports in Indian newspapers said Thursday.

The Telegraph daily reported that Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran invited Royal Nepalese ambassador to India, Karnadhoj Adhikary to South Block Wednesday afternoon to discuss the fast-paced developments in the Himalayan kingdom. Mr. Saran was Indian envoy in Kathmandu prior to his appointment as new Foreign Secretary of India.

"There are also indications that the Nepalese Prime Minister will pay an official visit to Delhi beginning September 9 to discuss bilateral and
regional developments," the daily reported. No official announcement has been made by the Nepalese government so far regarding the visit.

Foreign Ministry officials at Shital Niwas could not be reached for comments.

Prime Minister Deuba had met Indian Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh in Bangkok at the sidelines of the BIMST-EC, a regional cooperation body, early this month.

According to The Telegraph, there are apprehensions in sections of the
establishment in New Delhi that Indian interests may be hurt in the
confrontation between the Deuba government and the Maoists.

Foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told the daily, "We are in touch with the Nepalese authorities to ensure that Indian interests and assets are not hurt."

Similarly, another leading newspaper, The Hindu, reported that India believed that the situation arising out of the Maoists blockade of Kathmandu was "worrying" and had taken up its security concerns with the Nepalese Government.

The Charge d' Affaires of Indian embassy in Kathmandu, V.P. Haran, had meetings with Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and the Nepalese Army Chief in Kathmandu Wednesday as part of the Industrial Security Group (ISG)-- that also has got representation from the British, American, France and German embassies, the report said.

"Though flights to Kathmandu continued as usual, the Government (of India) has also noted that major companies have complied with the Maoist diktat and shut shop. The impression is that though major company units can be provided with security the same is not true for small retail outlets, which might be targeted by the Maoists," the daily said. nepalnews.com by Aug 19 04

DPM Adhikari calls upon Maoists to withdraw their 'blockade'

Deputy prime minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari has urged the Maoists to withdraw their two-day old 'blockade' of the capital valley. He is the first senior official to call upon the rebels to withdraw their campaign.

After inaugurating the nationwide children's song competition in Kathmandu Thursday on the eve of the National Children's Day, Adhikari said children and women were increasingly affected by the on-going armed conflict in the country. He called upon the rebels to give up violence and return to the table of peace negotiations.

Adhikari also urged the industrialists and businessmen to re-open their establishments and assured them that the government would provide them whatever security was necessary. Some one dozen big industries and a leading five-star hotel remain closed for the last three days amid Maoist threats. nepalnews.com by Aug 19 04

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Rebels set a truck on fire in west Nepal

A group of armed Maoist rebels have set fire on a truck heading towards Butwal from Gorusinghe of Kapilvastu district in the western region Thursday.

The rebels set fire on the truck along the Mahendra highway for defying  their call for a day-long shutdown strike in the district, reports said.

The rebels said they had called the strike against the killing of some of  their cadres by security forces.

There have been no reports of violence during the Maoist `blockade' of  capital, Kathmandu. nepalnews.com by Aug 19 04

Tourism Industry committed to run smoothly

Nepal’s tourism industry is committed to run smoothly and has witnessed healthy signs of recovery despite some problems at home and their publicity outside, a press release issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said.

Blasts and disturbances in Kathmandu have drawn serious attention of the industry as it may create temporary impact on tourists, the release said and added, “But, the tourism history of Nepal proves that no untoward incidents have taken place aiming at the tourists so far.”

According to another press release issued by the NTB, the prime minister assured the delegations led by the CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board Tek Bahadur Dangi, of having adopted all precautions to protect hotels and other industrial establishments from any mishap in the country. The PM further said that the government has given special instruction to its all security agencies to accord high priority to safety of the tourism sector, it added.

The arrival statistics to Nepal exemplifies that the potential visitors to Nepal have shown there was no direct hindrances for tourism activities in major tourist areas of Nepal. There is a 32% increase in the overall tourist up to the month of July, 2004 compared with corresponding month of previous year, release further added.

Likewise, Indian tourists have also shown firm interest and visited this country marking 12% growth till the month of July, 2004 compared to same period of the previous year, according to the NTB release Thursday. nepalnews.com pd Aug 19 04

US govt. condemns Maoist bombings and intimidation

The United States has condemned the recent Maoist bombing at the Soaltee Hotel in Kathmandu, and other attempts by the Maoists to intimidate Nepali businesses into closing their operations.

"These reprehensible acts only harm innocent Nepalis and weaken Nepal’s fragile economy," said a statement issued by the US State Department in Washington D. C. on Wednesday.

In the strongly-worded statement, the State Department said Maoist threats and violence only undermine Nepal’s economic, political, and social development and demonstrate a clear disregard for the well-being of the Nepali people.

The United States firmly rejects the Maoist intimidation, terrorism, and threats of violence against civilians. Legitimate grievances of Nepalis must be resolved through peaceful, political means, the statement added.

Since they broke a cease fire last August, the Maoists have caused severe hardship to the people of Nepal, the statement said.

The State Department reminded that the US government had designated the Maoists under Executive Order 13224, blocking any Maoist assets in the United States or held by U.S. persons, wherever located, and barring U.S. persons from most transactions or dealings with the Maoists.

The US government has been providing financial and military assistance to Nepal government to fight the Maoist insurgency. The rebels have repeatedly denounced what they call US imperialism in this part of the world.  nepalnews.com by Aug 19 04

Amnesty condemns human rights violations and `blockade' of Kathmandu

Amnesty International has expressed concern about what it says continued abduction and killing of civilians by the CPN (Maoist) in Nepal.

In an open letter addressed to chairman of CPN (Maoist), Prachanda, the London-based human rights watchdog said Wednesday that it had received reports of at least 16 people being killed and hundreds of others being abducted by CPN (Maoist) last month.

Those abducted include Ram Prasad Rijal (aged 73), his son Devi Prasad Rijal, 42, and daughter in law Pratibha Rijal, 35. They were abducted from their home in Pyuthan district in mid-western Nepal on 23 July.

They are believed to have been targeted because of their relationship to Ram Prasad's other son who is a local politician in Pyuthan district. Ram Prasad Rijal's brother, Durga Rijal was reportedly abducted on 24 December 2003 and the whereabouts of all four are now unknown, the Amnesty said.

The AI has urged the CPN (Maoist) to guarantee the safety of all civilians currently under its control and to release them immediately and unconditionally.

The Amnesty has also condemned strongly the killing of journalist and human rights defender, Dekendra Raj Thapa, on 11 August 2004 in mid-western district of Dailekh after `detaining' him for nearly six weeks.

The Amnesty said it was deeply concerned at the 'blockade' of all vehicles entering or leaving Kathmandu declared by the CPN (Maoist) beginning Wednesday.

"The Amnesty is concerned that the `blockade' will restrict the supply of food and essential medical supplies to civilian populations not only in Kathmandu but in other districts which rely on access to Kathmandu for the supply of these goods," said the letter signed by Ingrid Massagé, interim program director of the Amnesty for Asia & Pacific. nepalnews.com by/pd Aug 19

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America based Nepali journalists appeal Maoists to stop rights violation

Nepalese American Journalist Association (NAJA) issuing a press release Wednesday asked the underground Maoists to immediately stop all human rights violations in the country.

In the press release sent to Nepalnews, the association has urged the rebels to respect international principles on human rights.

The NAJA has said it was shocked by the gruesome murder of Dekendra Raj Thapa, a reporter with the state-owned Radio Nepal in west Nepal, last week. 

The association moreover, asked the Maoist to respect press freedom and fundamental rights of the people. nepalnews.com pd Aug 29 04

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Absence of extradition treaty leaves Nepali prisoners in Thailand 

Seventy Nepalis prisoners are stuck in the Thai jails in the absence of an extradition treaty between Nepal and Thailand, a report said. Most Nepalese were imprisoned in Thailand on charges of drug trafficking, the report added.

According to The Rising Nepal, the Thai government had back in 2000 handed a proposal to Nepal, asking it to sign an extradition treaty. However, Nepal is still engaged in arranging the necessary groundwork. 

“We have been working for the transfer of the Nepalis held in the Thai jails. The legal  formalities that need to be completed will take a long time,” the daily quoted minister of state for foreign affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat as saying. 

According to a Nepali diplomat, although most of the Nepalese have been held on charges of drug trafficking, majority of them have been made ‘scapegoats’ by drug dealers who had them carry drugs promising them a lot of money and attractive jobs, the daily reported.

The inmates have been requesting the Nepal government transfer them to Nepali jails, it is reported. Four inmates have died in different Thai jails in the last 18 years, according to the daily. nepalnews.com pd Aug 19 04

Civilians killed in security action 

Two civilians were killed Wednesday in security action in Kaski district, reports said. 

According to reports, security forces acting on a tip off, launched a raid in Lwanghel VDC of the district and killed Govinda Gautam and Lalkaji Gurung. However, Katwal and Gurung had no affiliation with the Maoist rebels, reports added.

The central division headquarters of the Royal Nepalese Army in Pokhara has admitted killing two innocent civilians during the operation in the area, reports further said. nepalnews.com pd Aug 19 04 

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Envoys express concern on shutdown of industries 

Envoys of five countries Wednesday met Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and expressed concern over the indefinite closure of leading hotels and industrial establishments in the country.

According to various reports published Thursday, the ambassadors during the meeting with the prime minister reportedly said that the Maoists’ threats on leading multinational enterprises in the country would have negative effect on the country’s economy. 

Envoys of the United States, France, Germany, India and United Kingdom met and expressed their concern over the matter with the PM, reports added. 

All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), affiliated to the Maoists, Monday called for indefinite closure of a leading hotel and industrial enterprises in the country. nepalnews.com pd Aug 19 04 

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