Nepal, Bangladesh to work jointly on flood control

Nepal and Bangladesh have decided to form a 'Joint Technical Study Team' and work together on flood mitigation and management programmes.

The 10-member study team will draw up a work plan on different aspects of flood mitigation and management programmes and submit it to the two governments after two years.

The decision was taken during the two-day meeting of the joint technical committee of the two countries that concluded in Dhaka Saturday, The Daily Star-- a Bangladeshi newspaper-- reported Sunday.

"Our joint study team will select the places to build some water reservoirs in the upstream in Nepal to delay and divert the floods. We have also agreed to work together on catchments management of rivers," Dr Tauhidul Anwar Khan, member of the Joint Rivers Commission, who led the home side at the talks told reporters.

"Already we have been exchanging information relating to flood as water rolls down from Nepal and contributes to flooding in Bangladesh. In the last two years, we got information from three stations and now we will get it from six stations," he said. "Now our joint technical committee is trying to explore other ways to mitigate floods," Tauhidul added.

Leader of the Nepali delegation and director general of the department of hydrology and meteorology of Nepal, Madan Lal Shrestha, said Nepal knew how floods were affecting Bangladesh and felt it as its duty to cooperate by  providing flood information. "We had fruitful discussions on different points," said Shrestha.

Both the sides agreed on joint studies about the type, duration and causes of flood and its possible mitigation, officials said. The meeting also discussed the possibility of arresting, delaying and diverting the floods, they mentioned.

The technical committee will sit again towards the end of next year.

After the devastating floods in Bangaldesh in 1988, the governments of Bangladesh and Nepal had agreed to work together on flood mitigation. Initially, the two countries formed a study team comprising experts from both the sides and a joint technical committee in 1989, reports said. nepalnews.com by Oct 31 04

HLPC asks govt. to establish 'contacts' with the rebels

Five months after the formation of the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led administration - that had mandate to hold peace talks with the rebels and initiate process for elections-- the High Level Peace Committee (HLPC) has asked the government to establish 'contacts' with the Maoist leadership, reports said.

The meeting of the HLPC, held at the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar Saturday, has also authorized Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to undertake the responsibility. It is, however, not clear who those contacts could be.

Sources said that premier Deuba is likely to ask some of his close colleagues within the Nepali Congress (Democratic) to communicate with the underground leaders. Two of his colleagues had played key role in organizing the premier's visit to New Delhi and his meeting with senior Indian leaders last month.

Officials close to the ruling coalition have blamed former mediators in the failed peace talks, Daman Nath Dhungana and Padma Ratna Tuladhar, of being too close to the rebels. The newly constituted Citizen's Peace Commission (CPC) - led by former justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi-has said that it is trying to establish contacts with the King, government and the rebels to create favourable environment for talks.

CPC's member and editor of pro-left Mulyankan monthly, Shyam Shrestha, however, blames the government of not being serious towards organizing fresh round of peace negotiations. "Both the sides (the Maoists and the government) are preparing for the battle and it seems that the country is heading towards fresh offensive," he told Nepalnews.

Shrestha said crisis of confidence between the warring sides was the main problem. "The government should make its position clear towards the major Maoist demand for (holding elections to the constituent assembly," said Shrestha. "The government could create favourable environment for talks by withdrawing the Red Corner notice and terrorist tag against the Maoists and making public whereabouts of the people said to have disappeared from the government's custody," he added.

Officials have, however, said these issues could be discussed only after the rebels join the table of negotiations. nepalnews.com by Oct 31 04

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`Guru of Living’ arrives in Kathmandu

Founder of the Art of Living Foundation (ALF) and spiritual Guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, arrived in Kathmandu Saturday to take part in ‘Maha Satsang’ (Grand spiritual conference) organised by the Nepal chapter of his Foundation.

The high-flying Guru with followers in over 100 countries around the world was greeted by Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dip Kumar Upadhyay, and hundreds of his devotees and followers  at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Nepali officials hope the visit of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will help boost religious/spiritual  tourism in the country.

“Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will address functions in Kathmandu and Birgunj and also grace at ‘Maha Satsang’ at the Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC) in the capital,” chairman of ALF-Nepal chapter, Shashi Raj Pandey told Nepalnews.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is scheduled to address the ‘Satsang’ at the BICC at 1700 hours today. The event will be open to all, the organizers said.

Born in 1956 in South India, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar propounded the ‘Art of Living’ in 1982.

According to ALF, it offers programs  including Art of Living Course, Sudarshan Kriya, and Sahaj Samadhi Meditation in more than 142 countries around the world. It has been awarded special consultative status by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Nearly 20,000 Nepalis have already attended these courses, the organisers said. nepalnews.com by Oct 31 04

Rebel commander killed in rescue offensive; hostage soldiers freed

A local Maoist commander was killed in an offensive of the security forces at a Dadeldhura village, far-western Nepal, Saturday evening. The security forces freed five army men unhurt, kidnapped by the rebels this afternoon from Gaura Bazaar, Dadeldhura.

The five soldiers on their way to Daha Barrack from Kailali’s Teghari were taken hostage by the rebels at around 1:00 p.m., reports said.

Meanwhile, the Maoists abducted 12 youths from Hapure, Dang district, after a mass meeting in the area on Friday. Whereabouts of the youths remain unknown till Saturday evening.

Separately, in Saptari, a group of armed Maoists abducted two civilians, one from Pipra area and another from Baitawa VDC, on Friday night, reports said. nepalnews.com mbk Oct 30 04

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UML to pressure govt, Maoists for peace talks

The CPN UML, one of the ruling allies, has decided to pressure the government and the Maoists to start peace negotiations at the earliest. This was declared after a meeting of the Standing Committee of the party Saturday.

To spearhead a peace campaign as part of pressuring the warring sides to come to the table, the UML has constituted a committee headed by Bam Dev Gautaum.

"There should be pressure on the government and the Maoists from all quarters to create favourable environment for peace negotiations," Gautam told the media.

The UML stands in favour of an unilateral ceasefire from the government side while Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has already declared to continue the military actions against the Maoist rebels. Of late, Deuba has been talking about elections by the end of this year (2061 B.S) but the UML has not supported the idea wholeheartedly.

"Elections are necessary to keep continuity to the democratic process but the need at the moment is peace. Elections are hard to take place before peace talks," UML leader Jhalnath Khanal spoke to reporters following the Standing Committee meet. nepalnews.com mbk Oct 30 04

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Govt claims not to have detained Yadav, Ale Magar

The Prime Minister’s Office and the Office of the Council of Ministers have said in their response to the Supreme Court that Maoist central leaders Matrika Yadav and Suresh Ale are not in government’s detention.

The Maoist leaders were arrested in India early this year and were handed over to Nepali security officials.

Published reports Saturday said quoting sources at the Office of the Attorney General that the government’s letter to the court stated that there was no information regarding the detention of Yadav and Ale Magar. The letter was in response to an order on a writ filed by Bishwo Nath Yadav, an NGO activist, demanding the whereabouts of the Maoist leaders.

16 days ago, a single bench of Justice Balram KC had ordered the concerned government bodies including the Royal Nepalese Army to clarify why the Maoist leaders were detained for eight months without any trail. The government in its response to the court has claimed that no security agencies have been ordered to detain the rebel leaders.

The letter could not be registered at the Supreme Court due to time constraint on Friday, which will be submitted on Monday, reports said. nepalnews.com mbk Oct 30 04

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The court will decide on TADO: Dr Mohsin

A day after a group of lawyers filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court demanding to annul the provision of one-year-long preventive detention in the anti-terrorist law, Minister for Information and Communications, Dr Mohammed Mohsin, has said the court will decide on the matter.

Talking to Radio Sagarmatha F. M. on Saturday, Dr Mohsin-who is also the spokesman of the government-said that the Supreme Court had the ultimate authority to decide on the issue. He also claimed that the provision of keeping individuals  in preventive  detention for up to one year without judicial review was 'in accordance with law.'

On Friday, a group of eight lawyers including Prakash Mani Ghimire affiliated to Pro-Public, an NGO, had filed a writ petition at the apex court demanding the court to annul the said provision and protect individual freedom of Nepali citizens.

Section 9 of the revised Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Control and Punishment) Ordinance, also known as TADO, authorizes the Chief District Officer to detain people, which he suspects might be involved in terrorist activities for up to one year, without judicial trial. Earlier, such a period was limited to 90 days only.

His Majesty the King re-promulgated the revised Ordinance early this month upon the recommendation of the council of ministers.

Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa has termed the new provision of TADO as 'unnecessary.' Rajdhani daily quoted the former premier as saying that the previous provision was appropriate and that the new provision was useless and did not have any rationale. Some six months ago, the council of ministers led by Thapa had rejected a Home Ministry proposal to extend the period of preventive detention to one year, the news report said.

In its editorial on Saturday, Nepal Samacharpatra daily has alleged that the government is completely ignoring the need to set up a monitoring committee to oversee if the anti-terrorist law is being used properly. "If the government thinks that it is accountable to people and has  to uphold human rights and humanitarian laws, it should immediately scrap the (controversial) provision and constitute a monitoring committee (to avoid misuse of the law)," the daily concluded. nepalnews.com by Oct. 30 04

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SAARC editors conference calls for liberalised visa regime

The second conference of Editors and Working Journalists of SAARC countries has recommended liberalized visa regime among member countries for media professionals.

The conference, that concluded in the Indian capital New Delhi on Friday, has recommended reduction in duties on newsprint, printing machinery etc. and removal of tariff restrictions on media products. The Conference has also called for preservation and development of a free media including right of healthy dissent within the overall orbit of free speech.

According to a communiqué issued by the Press Information Bureau of the Government of India, the conference held the view that development of media might be considered as tool for mutual cooperation towards peace, economic development and removal of poverty and ignorance.

The conference also recommended exchange programmes among newspaper organizations of member countries and greater interaction among working journalists.

The Conference deliberated upon the draft submitted by Bangladesh regarding setting up of a SAARC Media Development Fund and recommended setting up of an expert group to work out details for the fund. The conference felt need for inclusion of some more points in the Plan of Action on Information and Media adopted by the SAARC countries in 1998.

These points may include dedicated space in newspapers/periodicals to cover the SAARC development news regularly, establishing a SAARC Media Training Academy for human resource development and to encourage cooperation and exchange of information between news agencies of member countries.

The conference also discussed inputs to be included in the SAARC common position to be presented in the World Summit on the Information Society to be held in Tunis in November 2005.

Delegates from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and representatives of the SAARC secretariat in Kathmandu attended the conference. The leaders of delegation presented country papers stating current situation of print and electronic media and highlighted the complexities of the working environment for journalists in their respective countries.

The next conference will be held in Maldives in 2005, the PIB said. nepalnews.com by Oct. 30 04

Ten rebels killed in separate encounters

At least ten Maoist rebels were killed in separate encounters with security forces over the last 24 hours, reports said.

The state-owned Radio Nepal quoted no. 2 barrack of the Royal Nepalese Army at Hile, Dhankuta, as saying that four armed rebels including two women guerrillas were killed during security operations at Sangthaka VDC, ward no. 9 of eastern hilly district of Taplejung Saturday morning.

Two more rebels were arrested during the encounter. The security forces also recovered explosives, camera and Maoist literature from the site of encounter, the news report said.

Similarly, security forces shot dead half a dozen rebels at two separate places in southern terai district of Siraha over the last 24 hours.

Reports quoted security officials in the district as saying that four rebels were killed during security action at Fulkakatti VDC early Saturday. Two other rebels were killed overnight during security action at Raghupur VDC, reports said.

The Maoists are yet to comment on latest encounters. These are the first major incidences of clashes after the nine-day `truce' observed by the rebels and government forces during the Dashain festival expired on Thursday. nepalnews.com by Oct 30 04

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Construction work of Mid-Marsyangdi project resumes

The construction work of Mid-Marsyangdi Hydropower Project (MMHP) resumed in the western district of Lamjung from early Saturday.

"The construction work has started from today in full speed," Lokendra Thapa, assistant director of the MMHP at Udipur VDC in Lamjung, told Nepalnews over phone. "The situation is normal and we are getting support from all sides including civil society, human rights activists and German embassy," he added.

The construction work had been halted for the last two months after the civil works contractor of MMHP, Dywidag Dragados-CWE JV (DDC JV) -a German company-refused to resume works unless full security was ensured. Earlier, reports said that the Maoists had asked the project to close down expressing reservations over the deployment of security forces at the project site.

Sources at the MMHP said that the civil contractor agreed to resume the work after the government assured that they would be deployed for the security of the explosives to be used by the project only and would not be mobilised in counter-insurgency operations.

The CPN (Maoist) is yet to make its position public regarding the latest developments. Rebels had repeatedly asked clarification from the project officials accusing massive irregularities in the project. Officials refute those allegations.

Sources close to the project claimed that the rebels at the highest level have assured of their cooperation to implement the project. Human rights activists including Padma Ratna Tuladhar was involved in negotiations with the rebel leadership to allow the construction of the project to continue, reports said.

Officials of the state-owned Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)-that owns the project-said that they were incurring a loss of around Rs two million every day due to the closure of the project. Nearly 1,500 workers of the project and their families had been affected due to the indefinite closure of the project.

The construction work of the 70 MW project kicked off in 2001 but so far only 45 percent civil work of the project has been completed, officials said. The project is now expected to be completed by 2006.

Of the total project cost of Rs 13.65 billion, German development bank, KW, has agreed to bear 85 percent of the cost in the form of development grant while the government and NEA would bear the rest.

Frequent strikes and closure of the project has resulted into substantial increase in the project cost and delayed its construction, officials said. nepalnews.com by Oct 30 04

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