July 21, 2006

A midnight landslide triggered by monsoon rain in Nepal village of Dangsing VDC of northern Kaski district swept away 13 houses killing at least 19 persons. Eleven others are still missing. According to reports, a big chunk of landslide rushed one kilometer down from Banpale hill up to Bhurungdi river sweeping away houses and people along with. As the incident occurred around 1 am at night on Saturday (July 15), most people were caught unaware and could not flee to safety. Among those killed include five men, five women and six children. Those who are missing are said to have slim chances of survival. Rescue efforts have been launched by security forces and local people to locate dead bodies. Meanwhile, in Manang district, three houses have been swept away by a flood in Dudhkhola on Friday night. However, none of the residents were hurt as they could escape to safety. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports.

Maoists Kill Rival Leader

The Maoists have killed a cadre of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha, a breakaway group of the Maoists, on Sunday (July 16) evening in Rajbiraj. Kulananda Yadav from Saptari’s Lohjara-6 was shot by Maoist area commander Balaram Mahato, said police official. Maoists’ Saptari district secretary Amar claimed responsibility for the incident. Feud between the breakaway faction and the Maoists is common. The Himalayan Times daily reports.

Drafting Committee Expanded

The meeting of the government and Maoist talks team held at Peace Secretariat on Saturday –a day after the meeting of top leaders of Maoists, Nepali Congress (NC) and Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) – has decided to expand the interim constitution drafting committee. The committee headed by ex-judge Laxman Prasad Aryal was formed on June 16 after the summit meeting between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda. The six-member committee, however, came into attack after it did not have any representative from women, other political parties and minorities. On Saturday, the two sides – who met in presence of observers – decided to induct nine more members including Agni Kharel, Pushpa Bhusal, Sushila Karki, Chhatra Kumari Gurung, Shanta Rai, Sunil Prajapati, Parshuram Jha, Chandeshwore Shrestha and Kumar Yonjan Tamang. With this expansion, the committee now has 15 members. The talks teams also extended the time for the drafting of the constitution by ten more days till the end of July. Likewise, on Saturday, the talks teams also agreed to form a task force to implement Maoist commitment to hand back seized properties and facilitate the return of displaced persons. The task force members include NC leaders Binaya Dhoj Chand and Laxman Ghimire; UML leaders Yubaraj Gyawali and Surendra Pandey; and Maoist leaders Dinanath Sharma and Barshaman Pun “Ananta”. Leading dailies report.

Maoists, NC And UML Confer, Another Summit On July 21

Top leaders of Maoists, NC and UML met ‘informally’ on Friday (July 14) in Godawari to thrash out differences over the dissolution of the parliament. In a meeting that was participated by Maoist chairman Prachanda and his deputy Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, all the participants agreed to abide by the eight point pact. The meeting agreed to form an ‘interim parliament’ through the ‘interim constitution.’ With the objective of discussing the structure and participation of the ‘interim parliament’ top leaders of the Maoists, government and the political parties will meet for summit meeting on July 21. After the daylong meeting at Godawari, Prachanda said, “All the confusions have been settled. Everyone agreed to dissolve the parliament by making appropriate arrangements.” General secretary of UML Madhav Kumar Nepal said that the meeting agreed to go ahead by choosing appropriate alternative. “It is not that we want to give continuity to this parliament forever,” he added. NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel said the next meeting would settle issues like ‘interim parliament through interim constitution.’ The Friday meeting was participated by NC vice president Sushil Koirala, general secretary Ram Chandra Poudel, Home Minister Krishna Sitaula, Mahesh Acharya and Chakra Bastola. The UML participants included general secretary Nepal , Jhal Nath Khanal, Bamdev Gautam, Amrit Kumar Bohara and Iswor Pokharel. Likewise, the Maoist participants included Prachanda, Dr. Bhattarai, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Agni Sapkota and Barshaman Pun “Ananta”. Leading dailies report.

Pak Suspects Sent In 5-Day Custody

The two Pakistani nationals who were arrested from Hotel Everest were produced at the Kathmandu District Court on July 14 and were remanded in judicial custody by the court for five days to investigate their alleged involvement in Mumbai blasts. Though the police arrested them in connection with the seizure of RDX some few years ago, the police suspect the Pakistani nationals’ role in the recent Mumbai blasts. When the judge asked them whether the RDX (seized from Kathmandu in 2001 from their rented rooms) belonged to them, the two accused – Ghulam Hossain Chima and Aftab Mohiuddin Siddique – claimed it was not theirs. They also claimed they were staffers of the Marshyangdi Road Construction Project and said the police did not formally issue any charge against them. The Himalayan Times daily reports.

Army Demoralized By The Budget

The government announcement through the budget to automatically quash any vacant position in Nepal Army (NA) has sent shockwaves through the institution, according to senior army officials. They have warned that such move could destroy the organization of NA. On Thursday, informal meetings of senior army officials went on throughout the day to discuss the new development. A senior army official said that army was getting demoralized after the Finance Minister announced the decision without any prior homework. The official added that instead of initiating national debate regarding whether the NA strength should be made stable or decreased and taking decision based on the conclusion of such debates, the Finance Minister’s sudden decision to simply automatically quash any vacant position could create disruption in the army. He added that every day, 30-40 persons obtain compulsory retirement from the NA. And due to delay in filling up the vacancies thus created, the organization of NA was getting affected adversely. The officials also wondered whether after the army chief retires his position, too, would be quashed. They added that such moves made without consultation and homework could increase distance between the government and the army. The officials said that if vacant positions are quashed, then promotion of army officers would be stopped leading to a situation where elements trying to create rebellion within the army could benefit. They further added that the government should consult with various experts, line ministries, army officers and others before introducing any policy. They claimed that if the government tried to act in the spirit of taking revenge against the army, that could prove counterproductive. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports.

Nepal ’s Population To Double In 26 Years

Nepal ’s population is set to double in 26 years, according to a government report. The population of 23,151,423 as was recorded in the 2001 census, will be doubled by 2032, according to a report published today on the occasion of World Population Day. The report projects Nepal ’s present population to be 26,427,399. According to the report, each day 2128 babies are born and 617 persons die, increasing the population by 1511 persons. It says that every hour the country’s population rises by 63 persons with 83 babies being born and 26 persons dying. Nepal ’s population has shown a continuous rise except during 1911-1930. In 1920, Nepal ’s population was 5,573,788. In 1930, it was 5,532,574. After that, population growth continued and it is still on. According to 2001 census, the population growth rate currently is 2.25 percent. The Himalayan Times daily reports.

PF Taken To Task Over Dual Role

After its MP Lila Mani Pokharel announced he would write a ‘note of dissent’ against the government’s policies and programs, other parliamentarians raised a ruckus demanding People’s Front (PF) make its position clear – whether it is a ruling or opposition party. Although its chairman Amik Sherchan is a deputy prime minister and Health Minister in the current cabinet, its MP Pokharel opposed the government’s policies and programs claiming that they were silent about taking action against repressors of people’s movement and on issues related to royal palace and army. “We will not support the policies and programs amid the status quo. Since our party chairman is deputy prime minister, we will only write a note of dissent,” Pokharel stated. Immediately after he made those remarks, MPs from NC, UML and NC (Democratic) deplored them asking PF to make its position clear. UML MP Raghuji Pant asked PF to stop enjoying both power and also acting as opposition. Likewise, NC (D) MP Narayan Prasad Saud also criticized Pokharel for dual role. Leading dailies report.

Maoist Army In Temporary Camps

Maoist army have started to concentrate in temporary camps along with their arms. In Kamidanda of Kavre district, the third division of the Maoist army is engaged in regular training, exercise, political debates and so on. As the government has sent a letter to the UN asking it to manage the arms on both sides, the Maoists have started to concentrate their army in temporary camps. “There are around 7 to 8 hundred army here,” said Bibidh, commander of the third division, adding, “We have stayed here because questions were raised about our movement and arms in the villages.” He added that currently the total number of Maoist army is around 36,000 including seven brigades, three division and few special task forces. “We have to inform about our number to the UN later. Currently, we have around 36,000 army. The number changes during war time,” Bibidh added. The camp is located some two hours away from Banepa. “We have informed Nepali Army about our camp here,” he said. Kantipur daily reports.

Maoists Declare Withdrawal Of Truce Against Breakway Faction

Central leader of Maoists Matrika Yadav has announced the withdrawal of ‘ceasefire’ in Saptari and Siraha districts. Speaking at a press conference in Rajbiraj, Yadav claimed that his party was forced to break the ceasefire following growing attacks against its cadres by Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (Democratic Terai Liberation Front) – a breakaway faction of the Maoists. “We tolerated a lot. We also called for dialogue. But in the end we are compelled to take action,” said Yadav, who heads Maoists’ Terai-wing. The Terai Morcha had split form the Maoists two years ago and is headed by Jaya Krishna Goit. Yadav claimed that the palace and India are helping the front. The front has been spreading pamphlets in the districts protesting the Maoists. The front has till now abducted over 25 persons and killed nine. Likewise, in Saptari, the front has seized houses and properties of 19 persons, according to human rights organizations. Kantipur daily reports.