Army Condemns Attempts To Terrorize Families Of Soldiers
Nepali Army (NA) has issued a statement condemning attempts made by "anarchic groups" to terrorize families of its soldiers and officers. The NA statement says that on Saturday a group of 20-25 persons forced out one Narayan Bikram Rana from his residence in Dhodari VDC of Bardiya district, physically thrashed him and locked up his home. "The attention of NA has been drawn to this atrocity, which has been carried out as revenge since Rana's son is an officer with the NA," the statement says. The statement has also added that a family of NA soldier in Daulatpur VDC of same district, too, has been similarly harassed and their lands and homes remain seized for the past two years. NA strongly condemns attempts to discourage soldiers and officers and break their patience at a time when the NA is working as per government policies and directives for the purpose of building lasting peace in the country, the statement says. In the statement, NA has said that it is firm to protect lives and properties of its officers and soldiers and their families. "NA wants to make it clear to all concerned not to mistake our patience as weakness," the statement adds. The statement has come in the wake of reports that cadres of Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) harassed and forced out Rana from his residence. Nepalnews.com reports
UAE Warns To Black-List NAC
After it boarded passengers without return tickets and legitimate visas, the united Arab Emirates (UAE) has warned the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) it could blacklist the airline and prevent it from operating the sector. Despite repeated warnings, the NAC is said to have continued to board such passengers leading the Dubai Naturalization and Residential Department to issue stern warning to NAC's Station Manager. It has warned to blacklist the airline and impose Rs 11,000 fine per passenger. Sources said Dubai authorities have complained that NAC's operation was not as per international standard and were tarnishing the airport's image. If it is blacklisted, NAC will not be able to operate Dubai – which is one of its most lucrative sector. As per NAC's rules, it cannot board passengers without visas in sectors where On-Arrival Visas are not issued. However, due to collusion among immigration officials, police and NAC officials, such passengers were being boarded. Meanwhile, NAC's Marketing Director BP Basyal has said that directive has been issued to ticketing officials and travel agents not to repeat such things. He said that since visas are generally faxed, they cannot distinguish between genuine or fake visas. On the other hand, PN Sharma, chief of Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) immigration, said they so not give clearance to any passenger without genuine visa. Kantipur daily reports
Sitaula Comes Down Hard On YCL
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula has asked the Maoists to immediately check the violent activities of their youth wing, the Young Communist League (YCL). At a press meet on Saturday (May 19), Sitaula said the government had taken seriously the YCL attacks on government offices and civil servants in Bardiya, Dang, Banke, Kailali, Kanchanpur and several other places in recent days. Describing the YCL actions as condemnable, the Home Minister stressed that the Maoist leadership must stop the League from engaging in use of force. He also asked the Maoist party to return the properties seized during insurgency. On a query about Maoist chairman Prachanda's warning of nationwide agitations if the government failed to express commitment to manage the PLA cantonments by today evening, Sitaula dubbed the ultimatum as 'unnecessary'. Law enforcement agencies and the local administrations have been ordered to effectively curb YCL's violence, he said and added that the home administration would act tough on Terai insurgents groups that are involved in abduction and killings of civil servants and civilians. Leading dailies report
US Advises Fixing Polls Date Soon
The United States has advised the government to quickly fix new date for the elections of Constituent Assembly (CA). In his first meeting with the Prime Minister (on May 19) since he returned from Washington recently, US ambassador James Moriarty gave this suggestion. Sources close to PM said that Moriarty urged him to consult with eight parties and announce new date. PM told him he will soon announce the new polls date. Likewise, US ambassador also criticized the Maoists saying that they have not improved their behavior despite joining the government. During the meeting, he criticized the Maoists for their atrocities in Kailali and Kanchanpur and for obstructing the second phase verification of PLA combatants. nepal Samacharpatra daily reports
Nepal To Hold Decisive Talks With Bhutan
A special "Advance Team" of the government is soon going to be dispatched to Bhutan to hold decisive talks with the Bhutanese government on the issue of refugee impasse. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala gave this information to a delegation of refugee leaders who had gone to his residence on Thursday (May 18). The Advance Team is being dispatched as per the Prime Minister's order and the PM has also held one round of meeting with Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan over this issue. The refugee leaders informed that although initially Foreign Minister herself planned to visit Bhutan, later it was decided that the team should be sent first. The refugee leaders quoted PM as saying that in recent times India, too, has become concerned with the issue. When refugee leaders raised the issue that Bhutan government was planning to evict more Nepali-speaking nationals, PM said he can comment on that only after talking with Bhutanese officials. Refugee leaders Teknath Rizal, Balram Poudel and Thinley Penjore met with the PM. "PM seemed more serious about refugee issue this time than in the past," Poudel said after the meeting. The refugee leaders also handed over their memo regarding the planned people's movement in Bhutan. They have also sent such letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon requesting for UN support in their movement. nepal Samacharpatra daily reports
House Stalled Again
Even though a delegation of Madhesi MPs held a meeting with the Prime Minister on Wednesday (May 16) morning to resolve the impasse, the parliament session could not proceed. Speaker Subas Nemwang issued a notice stating that the House has been adjourned without even commencing and will meet again on May 24. In their interaction with the PM, the latter is said to have assured the Madhesi MPs that the government would consider their demands for revoking the recommendations by Electoral Constituency Delineation Commission, form high level commission to probe atrocities during Madhes agitation and so on. Meanwhile, Speaker Nemwang left for New York on Wednesday to attend a conference on inclusion. He will return home on May 23. Leading dailies report
Yadav Rules Out Talks On May 18
Chairman of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) Upendra Yadav has ruled out talks with the government on May 18. A day after government talks team member State Minister Ram Chandra Yadav said that they were preparing to hold formal talks with, the MJF chairman Upendra Yadav has ruled out the possibility. "There is no possibility of talks on May 18," Yadav said. He added that the talks cannot be held before the government fulfills its preconditions such as formation of judicial commission to investigate atrocities during Madhes agitation, declaration of those killed in Madhes agitation as martyrs, withdrawal of charges against MJF activists, and restoration of law and order. "Talks cannot be held without creating conducive environment. Therefore, there is no possibility of talks on May 18," he said. Compiled from reports
Maoists Manhandle CDO, Vandalize King's Statues
The cadres of Maoists have vandalized the office of District Administration Office (DAO) of Kanchanpur and manhandled Chief District Officer (CDO) Netra Prasad Sharma. The cadres of Maoists barged into the office and vandalized it after the police reportedly intervened a rally by Maoist-affiliated women who had gone to DAO to hand over their 30-point demands. Police had stopped the women from entering the DAO following which 30-40 Maoist cadres carrying batons charged into the office, vandalized the building and physically thrashed Sharma in his office. Police later said it has arrested 17 person in connection with the attack. Meanwhile, Young Communist League and student activists affiliated with the Maoists vandalized statutes of late King Birendra and Mahendra in Pokhara, Birendranagar, and Kathmandu. They used hammers to vandalize the statues. Leading dailies report
Minister Mahato Regrets PM's Comment
A senior minister has regretted comments made by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala about his recent statement. Rajendra Mahato, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, who is in the eye of controversy after he allegedly remarked against the people of hill, told reporters in Biratnagar on Tuesday (May 15) that he wished the PM had not said what he had said. Responding to journalists' queries, PM Koirala had said on Monday that Mahato was 'irresponsible' in making the comments. "A minister should not be making irresponsible remarks," PM Koirala had said in reference to Mahato's alleged remarks against the people of hill. Minister Mahato was reported by media as having said – a few days ago in Birgunj - that 'people of hill may live in Madhes only if they agree to be ruled by Madhesis.' "What I said is that Madhesis should be allowed to rule Madhes. This I will say one lakh times," Mahato said on Tuesday. He also took a subtle swipe at the PM by saying, "Instead of commenting to media, he should have summoned his minister and allowed me to clarify the matter." Mahato's remarks had caused a furor with organizations like Chure Bhawar Ekata Samaj demanding his resignation. nepalnews.com reports
Maoists Manhandle CDO, Vandalize King's Statues
The cadres of Maoists have vandalized the office of District Administration Office (DAO) of Kanchanpur and manhandled Chief District Officer (CDO) Netra Prasad Sharma. The cadres of Maoists barged into the office and vandalized it after the police reportedly intervened a rally by Maoist-affiliated women who had gone to DAO to hand over their 30-point demands. Police had stopped the women from entering the DAO following which 30-40 Maoist cadres carrying batons charged into the office, vandalized the building and physically thrashed Sharma in his office. Police later said it has arrested 17 person in connection with the attack. Meanwhile, Young Communist League and student activists affiliated with the Maoists vandalized statutes of late King Birendra and Mahendra in Pokhara, Birendranagar, and Kathmandu. They used hammers to vandalize the statues. Leading dailies report
