Maoists kill Rasuwa DDC chairman

The Maoists have killed the chairman of District Development Committee (DDC) of Rasuwa.

DDC chairman Bhim Lal Hirachan who was abducted from his home Sunday night was found dead Monday morning at the outskirts of Rasuwa district headquarters Dhunche, reports said. The rebels had threatened him of physical action if he did not resign from his post.

The whereabouts of UML cadres who were abducted along with him remain unknown, reports added. nepalnews.com mbk May 10 04

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Early morning blast in capital, one injured 

Suspected Maoists detonated a bomb at the premises of Moondrops Overseas Services Pvt. Ltd at Lazimpat in Kathmandu at around 9 am on Monday, police said.

Eyewitnesses said the blast occurred after some suspicious persons left the office. The office garage with tow motorcycles in it were completely destroyed. Furniture, windows and the main door of the office were partly damaged, the police added.  

The explosion smashed windows of three houses in the vicinity. The police said a search operation is underway to track the suspected Maoists. 

According to the police, a civilian named Kushal Katuwal sustained a back injury in the explosion. He has been taken to a hospital in Maharajgunj.

Suspected Maoists have also detonated a bomb in the municipality offices of Bhaktapur and Pokhara. Further details were not available. nepalnews.com pd May 10 04 

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Nepali workers cheated in Saudi Arabia

Hundreds of Nepalis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia had no choice but to leave their jobs because the companies that they worked for had not paid them any salary or provided any other benefits that been promised in the agreement between them and the agencies that sent them, Human Rights and Peace Campaign-International (HURPEC) said on Sunday.

The HURPEC further informed that most of these workers are willing to
return to Nepal but are unable to do so as the companies they were
working for have their passports.

The HURPEC is observing the situation of these workers and is carrying out an investigation for their rights and safe return. The HURPEC has asked the concerned manpower agencies to arrange proper payment, safe return or proper jobs with other companies in Saudi Arabia. nepalnews.com pd May 10 04

Their Majesties attend religious ceremony

His Majesty’s King Gyanendra and Queen Komal attended a concluding religious ceremony /Lakchhya Hawan Yagyna/ (offering of ghee and grain into fire) at the Gorakhkali Temple in Gorkha on Sunday afternoon

The Royals also paid homage to the Godess Gorakh-Kali, Baba Gorakhnath and Bajra Bhaiarv. nepalnews.com pd May 10 04

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Judiciary reform plan in final stage: CJ Shrestha

Chief Justice Govinda Bahadur Shrestha said on Sunday that a five-year strategic plan for judiciary reform has reached the final stage of completion.

"The extensive reform plan will identify the problems of the judiciary, making the judiciary more systematic," said Shrestha while speaking at a program organized by the Nepal Bar Association in Pokhara.

Shrestha added that the courts currently face a problem administering 
justice mainly due to lack of capable manpower, physical resources as well as necessary infrastructure. "Despite such constraints, our efforts to reform the judiciary are on," he said.

The CJ further added that the role of judges and lawyers is crucial in 
boosting the image of the courts held by the public. nepalnews.com mr May 10 04

Japanese trekker dies of altitude sickness

A 70-year-old Japanese trekker on Saturday died of altitude sickness in Rasuwa district, according to RSS on Sunday.

The Japanese, Oganiba Noguwa, was on his way to Gosaikunda when he died at Thoprang hill in Syafru VDC-2. He was travelling with seven fellow trekkers and a guide. His body was brought to Kathmandu for tests.

Noguwa was a high blood pressure patient. nepalnews.com mr May 10 04 

Prachanda warns parties

Maoist supreme leader Prachanda, in his first statement after the resignation of Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, has warned political parties “not to be lured in the palace’s conspiracy”.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, he further stated: “All must head further to achieve a total democracy in the country.”

Stressing the unity between the parties and the Maoists, Prachanda accused “regressive and foreign elements” of trying to undermine the unity of the parties.

On a more conciliatory note, Prachanda reiterating his commitment to 
settle the ongoing conflict in the country through dialogue and urged all concerned to seek a political solution. nepalnews.com pd May 10 04

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Aid agencies suspend development works in five districts

Various aid agencies announced on Monday that they will be suspending development projects in five districts. Four of the districts are in the Karnali zone, the least developed zone of Nepal.

In a public statement, the agencies said due to increasing Maoist pressure they have been “forced” to stop their projects as they are unable to ensure safety of their staff. 

"Over the past few weeks, Maoists in Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi have made serious demands and threats against a number of development agencies," the statement said.

The five districts where the suspension has been declared are Kailali, in far-western Terai and Jumla, Humla, Mugu and Dolpa in the Karnali zone.

In Kailali, GTZ (Germany) and DFID (UK) will stop the Freed Kamaiya (bonded labourers) Food Security Program from May 16. The statement added that this will affect 30,000 people who were benefiting from the program.

In the Karnali district, SNV (the Netherlands), DFID and GTZ will suspend the Rural Community Infrastructure Works (RCIW) program, also from May 16. This suspension will affect around 25,000 people.

The statement adds that these projects will resume, "when it is clear that the staff can operate in a safe environment and according to the Basic Operating Guidelines."

Another agency, World Food Program (WFP), says it will also have to 
suspend the RCIW program due to the absence of technical assistance normally provided by the SNV, DFID and GTZ. nepalnews.com mr May 10 04

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Parties to meet King jointly 

The five agitating political parties on Sunday said that they were ready for ‘joint and meaningful talks’ with the King. 

In an informal meeting of the five-party alliance held Sunday afternoon at NC President Girija Prasad Koirala's residence, the key leaders declared that talks and agitations will go together until the present political crisis is resolved. 

“The government formed with the recommendation of the five-party alliance would resolve the present crisis in the country,” the leaders said. 

Ruling out the possibility of dialogues with the King on an individual basis Amik Sherchan, Chairman of People’s Front Nepal said, “The situation is favorable for dialogue but an environment for mutual trust is still lacking so we have decided talk with the King jointly.” 

All key leaders of the agitating parties were present in the meeting. nepalnews.com pd may 09 04

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Maoists attack passenger bus, kill 13 

At least 13 persons including six civilians were killed in Dolkha’s Mainapokhari when the Maoists fired at a passenger bus heading towards Kathmandu from Jiri Sunday afternoon. Twenty others have been severely injured. 

According to reports, the militants fired indiscriminately at the bus, killing six Royal Nepalese Army soldiers, an official of the Armed Police Force and six passengers. Security forces had gone to the area to remove barriers laid on the highway by the Maoists. 

The security personnel also fired back, but the casualties on the Maoist side were not known. Those injured have been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment, reports added. nepalnews.com mbk May 9 04

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