Cold Wave In Terai
The dense fog that has enveloped the Terai region has triggered bitter cold wave in the region. According to Weather Forecasting Division, the whole of Terai except far-western region are under the dense fog. Due to low visibility, flights have been disrupted. “There is a possibility that the fog will continue to cover most of Terai region for three to four more days,” said weather expert Jagadish Karmacharya of the Division. “This fog is slowly shifting from west to east. This fog has triggered cold wave,” he said. Even parts of Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are under cold wave. Weather expert K. B. Malla said that the fog was triggered by a heavy snowfall in Jammu- Kashmir region last Sunday. Lessening difference between maximum and minimum temperature has resulted in bitter cold in the region. Reports say three people have died in Dhanusha due to cold wave. Three old people including a pilgrim from India died in Janakpur on Saturday (January 7). Kantipur daily reports.
UML Condemns Army Presence In Its Program
Madhav Kumar Nepal , general secretary of the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), has condemned the incident in Baglung where army personnel in civilian dress had barged into UML meeting. “This is a grave and condemnable act. I want to draw the attention of army chief into this incident,” Nepal said. He claimed that the incident could be a part of big conspiracy of the state. On January 7 in Baglung, two unidentified masked men had also accompanied the army men. They claimed as being Maoist and wanted to speak at the program. But a journalist present at the program recognized those in civil dress to be army personnel following which the army personnel took away the journalist to barrack and released him three hours later. In another report, a group of security personnel barged into a meeting organized by UML in Malangawa of Sarlahi district and noted down names of the participants. This action made the participants flee with fear. The meeting was being organized as a part of the party’s boycott the poll campaign. Kantipur daily reports.
RPP To Take Action Against Ministers
The party establishment of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has sought written explanation within 24 hours from 10 of its leaders including six ministers in the current government. “If they do not furnish satisfactory explanation, the party will take strict action and even oust them from ordinary membership,” said Khem Raj Pandit, co-general secretary of the party. Those facing actions include Kamal Thapa, Brijesh Kumar Gupta, Roshan Karki, Toran Gurung, Bhuwan Pathak, Pratap Ram Lohar (all ministers in the current cabinet) as well as central members Padma Sundar Lawati, Durga Shrestha, Rajib Parajuli and Jagat Gauchan. The dissident faction led by Lawati and Thapa have already called a special convention of the party on January 10-11. These developments suggest that RPP could be heading for another split. Leading dailies report.
Kids Killed In Explosion
In Dolpa, two kids were killed in an explosion caused by the Maoists, reports Nepal Samacharpatra daily. Last week, two children of Chhiring Thundup Ghale – a 5-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl – were killed when the Maoists exploded bomb in his house, according to the Royal Nepalese Army Public Relations Directorate. Likewise, an eleven-year-old kid has been killed in Ramechhap district in an explosion of a bomb left behind by the Maoists. Jangbu Sherpa of Gumdel-3, Techhim was killed a month ago in the explosion. This information was received in the district headquarters Manthali only last week, according to Kantipur daily. Leading dailies report.
Four Nepali Students Die In Accident In US
Four Nepalese students died in a car accident in Texas , US on Saturday (January 7). Amrit Dhital, 21, Pralhad Gurung, 22, Pushkar Acharya, 21 and Subas Gurung, 20, were killed when their car traveling from New York to Dallas met with an accident in Texas . This tragic incident has been reported less than a week after a similar car accident had claimed the lives of three Nepali students in the US . Leading dailies report.
Sister Nirmala Arriving In City
Sister Nirmala, the head of the Kolkata-based Missionaries of Charity, is scheduled to visit Nepal from January 13. This will be her first visit to the country after she was picked up as a worthy successor of Mother Teresa in 1997. Sister Nirmala, who is now touring north-east India , is a Nepali by birth. The visit is being billed a milestone in the annals of the Missionaries of Charity movement in Nepal . Church sources revealed that activists of the mission will be according a warm welcome to her at the Tribhuwan International Airport before she is driven to the Assumption Church at Dhobighat, Jawalakhel where she will attend a mass. The visit, which has been kept a well-guarded secret by her followers in Nepal , could be officially announced just two days before she actually arrives. The visit, meant to explore the possibility of extending Nepal network of the order, is expected to culminate in the nun visiting Pokhara. Sister Nirmala, who is now past 78, was initially picked up to succeed Mother Teresa for a period of six years. Later, she reportedly was retained as the permanent head of the order. The Himalayan Times daily reports.
Maoists Step Up Attacks
Three police personnel of Armed Police Force (APF) were killed when a group of Maoists opened fire at Rajha chowk near Nepalgunj airport on Thursday (Jan 5) evening. The clash occurred at 6 in the evening and continued for one and a half hours. Two civilians were injured in the incident. After the clash erupted the scheduled flights of Buddha Air and Yeti Air were delayed even as passengers stayed within the airport. Following the incident, the whole area in and around Nepalgunj airport remained tense. In a separate incident, six soldiers and a civilian were injured when the Maoists exploded a bomb targeting a patrolling unit of army in Tersapatti in Pokhara. Likewise, a civilian was injured in a bomb explosion in Tansen, Palpa. Two civilians were injured in another bomb explosion in Biratnagar. Maoists had exploded a bomb at district education office in Biratnagar. Kantipur daily reports.
Army Returns From Rolpa
Coinciding with the withdrawal of ceasefire by the Maoists, the team of Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) soldiers returned from their three-week-long operation in Rolpa. An army official said that the soldiers returned after accomplishing their mission. He said, “The army reached the place that was said to be under Maoist control. This, in itself, was a major success.” The army had reached places such as Thawang, Bhawang, Jangkot, Kureli and Oat – claimed by the Maoists to be under their firm control. Following the withdrawal of ceasefire, RNA soldiers returned to urban areas and district headquarters. During the operation, a large number of Maoists had come down to Terai regions. They even conducted a mass meeting in Bardiya on Tuesday (Jan 3) where central member of the Maoists Ram Charan Chaudhary said that they have completed the first phase of ‘strategic offensive’ and would now be starting the second phase. Leading dailies report.
US Flays Maoist Bombings
The United States has condemned the Maoist bombing of government office buildings. Sean McCormack, a spokesperson for the US State Department, in a press statement on Wednesday, said the US has also urged the government to urgently reach out to the political parties and find a way back to democracy. It has expressed concern over the withdrawal of unilateral ceasefire by the Maoists calling it as ‘unhelpful.’ Leading dailies report.
25 Year Water Plan Unveiled
The government has unveiled a 25-year Water Plan promising to provide electricity to all by 2027 at the total investment of Rs 1218 billion. The plan consists of five-year short term; 15-year mid term; and 25-year long term strategies. The plan was unveiled by the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS). The plan includes various sectors like water-induced disaster mechanism; quality drinking water; sanitation and health; irrigation for agriculture development; hydro power; industry; tourism; fisheries and water transport. The plan aims to install hydro power plants totaling the capacity of 4000 MW by 2027. Around 75% of households would be connected to national grade; 20% would enjoy electricity generated by local micro hydro plants; and 5% would benefit from alternative energy sources. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports.
Hydropower Invest Mart In The Offing
With the objective of promoting investment in hydropower sector, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), in cooperation with German Technical Agency (GTZ) and Winrock International, is going to organize the Hydropower Invest Mart (HIM) in Kathmandu later this month. Addressing a press meet in Kathmandu on Sunday (January 8), president of CNI, Binod Kumar Chaudhary, expressed hope that HIM would be a ‘match-making forum’ bringing together private sector power developers, financiers, investors and technocrats. He said the Mart was taking place at a time when Nepal was reeling through load-shedding. Sridhar Devkota of the Small Hydropower Promotion Project, GTZ, said small hydropower was only a drop in the bucket but that every drop counted while talking of electricity. Suman Basnet of Winrock International (WI)—an INGO specializing in micro-hydro development, said a number of stakeholders would be involved in the Mart and are expected to take up some of the more attractive projects for financing. Ratna Sansar Shrestha, a Chartered Accountant who is also affiliated to Winrock International, said Nepal had the liquidity of around 300 billion rupees in its financial system. “If only 5 percent of that money could be invested in hydropower sector, Nepal could herself develop power plants of up to 30 MW every year,” he said. Shrestha said private sector financing in the hydro-power sector was still a comparatively new phenomenon around the world and that there was the need for Nepali financiers, including banks, to take up the idea of project financial without asking for individual or corporate guarantee. According to officials, Nepal will need up to 100 million US dollar annual investment just to meet the domestic demand for power after 2008. Nepali banks have so far made an investment amounting to four billion rupees only in the hydropower sector. Experts say Nepali banks, however, have the capacity to invest up to US$ 20 million annually. According to CNI, would-be investors from India are also expected to take part in the three-day Mart (January 24-26). The Mart will have technical sessions and will also showcase products and services of various organizations working in the small hydropower sector. Considered to be the second highest in terms of hydro-power potential in the world, Nepal has so far been able to generate only 2 percent of its 43,000 MW of hydropower potential, according to studies. Compiled from reports.
SC Puts Off RCCC Decision
The Supreme Court (SC) has put off the final decision on the fate of Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) till February 13. The apex court had earlier stated it would announce the decision on January 5. Sources said that the postponement was caused by the delay in the submission of written statement by pleading sides. Legal practitioners have expressed dissatisfaction over the postponement. Currently, former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is under detention following the decision by the RCCC that he committed corruption in Melamchi project. Various legal experts have been saying that the RCCC itself is an unconstitutional body. A petition had thus been filed at the SC demanding the abrogation of RCCC. Leading dailies report .
