NHRC Flays Maoist Attack Against RPP and RJP
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has flayed the attack by the Maoists against the workers and leaders of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP). Issuing a statement on Sunday (Feb 11), the regional office of NHRC in Pokhara deplored the two separate incidents of attack by the Maoists. In Besisahar of Lamjung, Maoist cadres attacked a gathering of RPP on Saturday injuring 20 persons. Likewise, in Damauli of Tanahu, RJP leaders and workers were thrashed by the Maoists. The NHRC has deplored both the attacks saying they were the violation of human rights. Meanwhile, in Kathmandu, RPP has condemned the Maoist attack and asked the government to provide peace and security. At a press conference where people injured in Besisahar attack were also present, the RPP general secretary Deepak Bohara said the incident indicated that the elections of Constituent Assembly (CA) would not be held in free, fair and fearless environment. Saying that attack against peaceful programs were a dangerous portent, Bohara demanded action against the perpetrators. nepalnews.com reports
Yadav Threatens To Intensify Terai Stir
As the ten-day ultimatum by the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) draws closer its chief Upendra Yadav has threatened to intensify agitation in Madhes. The MJF has put forth three pre-conditions before they will sit down for talks. The conditions include resignation of Home Minister Krishna Sitaula, probing of Lahan incident, and forming a high level commission to investigate Madhes unrest and atrocities against people. Yadav said that the MJF had only suspended their bandhs and strikes for ten days to allow the government to create conducive atmosphere for talks. He said that since 38 persons were killed and hundreds injured in the unrest, the Home Minister must take responsibility for what he termed as “genocide.” Compiled from reports
CIAA To Take Up The Rayamajhi Recommendations
The government has authorized the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to probe and take action against persons implicated by the report of the Rayamajhi commission. The cabinet meeting on Thursday (Feb 8) decided to authorize the CIAA to take action against some members of the royal cabinet and then political appointees listed in the Annex-12 of the Rayamajhi Commission report. “We will not reveal the actual names of the persons as that could affect further proceedings by the CIAA,” said Dilendra Prasad Badu, Minister of State for Information and Communication and government spokesperson. Badu said that the government has also asked the cabinet subcommittee led by Deputy Prime Minister KP Oli to expedite its study of the Rayamajhi commission report and submit its report. The cabinet meeting has also asked the government talks team headed by Home Minister Krishna Sitaula to continue coordinating with the Maoists till the completion of arms management. Leading dailies report
Thakur Committee Invites JTMM Factions For Talks
The talks committee headed by Minister Mahantha Thakur, which was formed to initiate talks with the agitating parties of Madhesi and Janjati community, has sent letters inviting the two factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM). “We have delivered formal letter inviting them (both factions of JTMM including the ones headed by Jwala Singh and Jai Krishna Goit) for talks through contacts who said they would hand the letter to them,” said Thakur. Meanwhile, the government has decided to cover the medical expenses of those injured during Terai unrest. Leading dailies report
ISG Urges Maoists To Cease Violence
The Industrial Security Group (ISG) has expressed its deep concern about continued extortion, kidnappings, and violence by Maoists against businesses and industries across Nepal. “In Kathmandu, while Maoist extortion has continued all along, it appears to be soaring in the run-up to the Maoist rally on February 13. Once again, the Maoists are demanding money, lodging and food from the businesses and residences in the Valley. We call upon the Maoists to cease these activities immediately,” the statement issued by the ISG, on Friday (Feb 9), said. The ISG comprises representatives of the Embassies of France, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the Delegation of the European Commission, along with their bilateral Chambers of Commerce. “The Maoists' continuing use of violence and intimidation is in clear violation of their commitments under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and at complete odds with their new status as members of the Interim Parliament,” it said. “The business community deeply desires to contribute to the building of a prosperous Nepal and an inclusive democracy. The ISG welcomes efforts by the government to address the grievances of the Madhesis and hopes that these efforts will bear fruit. The ISG also welcomes government action to re-establish the rule of law nationwide. If Maoist abuses and trade union militancy continue, Nepal’s private sector will be choked and investment will cease. If that happens, Nepal will be unable to generate the jobs and prosperity it needs to develop,” said the statement issued by US Embassy in Kathmandu, in its capacity as the acting chair of the ISG. Compiled from reports
NA Initiates Action Against Brig. Gen Rana
The Nepal Army (NA), on Thursday, wrote to the Ministry of Defense (MoD) recommending necessary action against acting chief of the Western Division, Brigadier General Dilip SJB Rana, for marking controversial remarks. According to NA spokesperson Brigadier General Ananta Bahadur Thebe, Chief of Army Staff Rukmangat Katawal wrote a letter to the MoD recommending action against Rana as he has been found guilty of making comments that amounted to breach of military norms and tradition. As the army headquarters cannot determine the quantum of punishment to its senior officials, General Katawal wrote to the ministry to initiate action in the case, Thebe added. In a written speech during a conference of NA divisions in Pokhara on Monday, Rana said there was a possibility of army mobilization to quell the unrest in Terai region if police agencies fail to maintain law and order. nepalnews.com reports
27 People Killed In Terai Unrest: NHRC
The National Human Rights Commission has informed that 27 people have been killed in the recent unrest in the Terai region. A preliminary field report by the commission said 21 protestors were killed in the course of agitation, 3 were killed by the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha, two by unidentified people and one by the Maoists. The commission further said that the agitation in the Terai region is not peaceful as claimed by the protestors. “The protestors brutally murdered one sub-inspector of police, looted weapons of police and also vandalized public properties, so the protest is not peaceful as claimed by the protestors,” the national rights watchdog said in its report. The NHRC also rapped the protestors for creating obstacles hampering the work of hospitals, ambulances, journalists and rights activists, adding, “Some journalists have been displaced from their workplace due to threats from protestors.” The NHRC has recommended the government to immediately address the demands of Madhesi people by holding talks and maintain law and order situation in Terai districts. The NHRC also asked the government to provide appropriate compensation to the families of deceased, provide treatment to the injured and also provide appropriate compensation to the damages incurred during the protests. The NHRC also asked the government to file a criminal case against the Maoist who killed Ramesh Kumar Mahato in Lahan and take legal action against security personnel using excessive force against general people in peaceful demonstrations. Compiled from reports
US To Continue Aid To Nepal
The US Mission in Nepal has been authorized to continue providing economic and development assistance to the Government of Nepal and to the peace process here, even if the Maoists belong to the government, says a release issued by the US Embassy. The authorization comes in the form of a license granted to the US Department of State and US Agency for International Development (USAID). The license was issued February 5 from the US Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and is valid until February 28, 2008. US Ambassador James F. Moriarty welcomed the issuance of the license and noted: "This license enables the U.S. Mission to meet its commitments to continue supporting the people of Nepal and the peace process." The Embassy and its development arm, USAID/Nepal, requested the State Department and USAID in Washington to seek the license because of U.S. prohibitions against providing aid to terrorist organizations. The U.S. Government designates Maoists, who continue to use violence, extortion, and intimidation, as a terrorist organization. The U.S. Mission to Nepal provides most of its development assistance in Nepal through Non-Governmental Organizations. Some does go through the Government of Nepal, however. The Ambassador stressed that, if the Maoists enter the Cabinet without abandoning violence, the U.S. Mission will work to ensure that Maoists ministers cannot claim credit for U.S. assistance. In coming days, the U.S. Mission will be consulting with Washington on license requirements and also briefing USAID/Nepal contractors and grantees in Nepal on this positive development. Compiled from reports
15 Injured In Jhapa Clash
Over 15 persons were injured as activists of Federal Republican Forum (FRF) clashed with locals in different areas of Jhapa district on Sunday (Feb 11). The clash occurred in course of Jhapa district bandh. Demanding to announce regional autonomous areas for Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari districts, the FRF had called Jhapa district bandh for a day. “Over 1 5 persons of both side s were injured in different places when FRF activists forced to shut down shops, factories and academic institutions in Surunga, Birtamod, Kakarvitta, among other places. The clash lasted for nearly one hour after the bandh supporters forced locals to close even the medicine shops in bazaar areas. The bandh organizers also vandalized vehicles and set one bike ablaze. They also misbehaved with journalists. The Himalayan Times daily reports
DV Victims Resume Strike
The DV (Diversity Visa) Victims’ central struggle committee resumed its relay hunger strike from Monday afternoon after a meeting between its representatives and an American Embassy official failed to reach an agreement. The DV victims are on a strike since December 26 in front of the embassy. They had removed tents in response to the call of the embassy for holding a dialogue. The ‘victims’ resumed strike after the dialogue with Nicholas Dean, deputy chief of mission, failed to reach an agreement. The protesters said the embassy rejected their visas without explaining any reason. The Himalayan Times daily reports
Indian Minister’s Visit Postponed
Indian State Minister for Commerce Jairam Ramesh’s three-day visit to Nepal, which was scheduled to begin on Wednesday, has been postponed indefinitely after words from the Indian External Affairs Ministry that the time is not appropriate for a visit to Nepal, Ramesh’s chief personal secretary B. Rajshekhar said. “High-ranking government officials wanting to visit a foreign country should seek clearance from the Indian External Affairs Ministry. A consultation was held with the ministry in the same line,” he further said. According to government sources, Ramesh’s Nepal itinerary included a visit to the Birgunj dry port and other infrastructure. “Since Birgunj and surrounding areas are steeped in turmoil, his visit there would not be appropriate,” sources said. “Both countries are working again to finalize the visit,” the sources said. The Himalayan Times daily reports
