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Women activists gherao Singh Durbar demanding their partocopation in the committee that will draft interm statue |
FORMER MINISTERS OF THE ROYAL REGIME Kamal Thapa and Tanka Dhakal have been released from the detention at the order of the Supreme Court (SC). A bench comprising judges Sharada Prasad Pandit and Badri Kumar Basnet ordered their release saying there was no sufficient ground to keep them in detention. Meanwhile, talking to reporters former Home Minister Thapa said he is ready to reveal everything before the High Level Commission formed to probe repressions against People's Movement. "I did nothing against the Constitution and the rule of law but performed by duties," he said.
DEPLORING THE ABSENCE OF WOMEN in the committee formed to draft interim constitution, feminist leaders staged a sit-in in front of Singh Durbar on Sunday. Around 27 of the demonstrators were then arrested by the police and later released. They demanded that the government and the Maoists respect the recent announcement by the House of Representatives to ensure at least 33 percent participation of women in every sector. The demonstration was participated by women leaders belonging to ruling seven party alliance. They have vowed to continue their agitation.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MAOISTS HAVE, after mutual consultations, formed a committee to draft the interim statute. The committee members have also been named. Former judge of Supreme Court (SC) Laxman Prasad Aryal heads the committee. Aryal is also a member of the commission that drafted the 1990 Constitution. Other members of his team include bar president Shambhu Thapa, Harihar Dahal, Mahadev Yadav, Sindhu Nath Pyakurel and Khim Lal Devkota. The committee has been provided 15 days to frame the statute.
SEVEN PERSONS WERE KILLED AND 37 INJURED when a crowded passenger bus fell down from the road in Pattharkot area – in border between Arghakhanchi and Kapilbastu district. The bus was traveling from Sandhikharka – district headquarters of Arghakhanchi – to Krishna Nagar of Kapilbastu.
THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND Communication has granted the license for ‘satellite uplink” to the Kantipur Television Network Private Limited. Earlier, the Supreme Court had instructed the government to provide the license to the network. As per the license, the private channel can uplink its signal and broadcast them via satellite.
THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (NHRC) has informed that 971 persons are still in the list of the “disappeared” by the government, Maoists and unidentified groups. In a report revealed by the commission, 583 persons are still said to have been disappeared by the state security forces; 332 by the Maoists and 56 by unidentified groups. “In course of working by our task force, many persons could be traced but 971 still remain disappeared,” said Sudip Pathak, a member of the commission. He said that reliable proof has been found regarding the location of around 300 persons in state detention. Pathak added that the list would be provided to the Maoist leaders who have come to the capital for the talks. He said that among the recommendations by the commission for actions against human rights abusers, only 30 percent have been followed.
THE DANISH GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED to provide assistance worth Rs 2 billion for the purpose of peace process and election of constituent assembly. Likewise, Denmark has also agreed to resume its stalled assistance of Rs 1.5 billion in rural energy sector. This was informed at a press meet organized by the visiting Danish State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Ministry Carsten Staur who is also the head of the Danish aid agency DANIDA.
SEVEN SOLDIERS OF NEPALESE ARMY (NA) belonging to UN peace-keeping force who had been captured by rebel militia in Congo are yet to be released. Although negotiators of the UN are talking with the militia for their release, they are still in captivity. They have said that the process of their release was delayed because the militia leader is outside the country. “The UN team is talking with the rebels,” said NA spokesperson Nepal Bhusan Chand, adding, “They are alright. The NA team there is taking care of their food.” They had been captured 17 days ago from Ituri area during clash with the rebels. One NA soldier had died during the clash and three others seriously injured. “Apart from the UN, the ICRC is also trying to release them,” said Yadav Khanal, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry.
THE NEPALESE ARMY (NA) has formed a task force to probe the disappearances of 49 detainees from Bhairabnath Battalion. It has also detained the chief accused Colonel Raju Basnet, who has been named in a report prepared by UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Kathmandu . The OHCHR had recommended investigations and actions against the culprits. According to Public Relations Directorate of the NA, the task force is headed by Brigadier General Sharad Neupane. The directorate, however, has not confirmed the detention of Colonel Basnet. The OHCHR report has accused Basnet who commanded the battalion of playing the leading role in torturing, inhuman treatment and disappearances.
FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT DECISION to withdraw charges against them, scores of Maoist cadres and leaders serving prison terms in various parts of the country have been released. “Till now we have received information that 240 of them have been released,” said Baman Prasad Neupane, spokesperson at the Home Ministry. “The release of detainees is a positive thing. Other detainees facing old charges should also be released,” said Lekhnath Neupane, president of Maoist student wing.
