Maoist Combatants Threaten To Launch Indefinite Bandh
Demanding monthly salaries, the Maoist PLA combatants of third division stationed at Shaktikhor cantonment in Chitwan district have threatened to launch indefinite bandh in Chitwan-Makwanpur from September 23. Commander of the third division Bibidh has said in a statement that their demands must be fulfilled as they had patiently waited for ten months. His demands include salaries, allowances, and health services. Meanwhile, Finance Ministry sources say that they had decided to provide regular salaries after the completion of verification. Kantipur daily reports
Maoists Bargaining For CA Seats: Mahat
The Maoists have adopted the strategy to bargain for seats in the constituent assembly because they have realized that their popular support is waning, Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said in New Delhi on Saturday (Sep 15). Mahat, who arrived in the Indian capital to attend the SAARC finance minister-level meeting, said: "Maoists have realized that people are not supporting them, so they are trying to escape the election to constituent assembly." "The Maoists have not formally proposed a bargain for seats in the constituent assembly but they have dropped hints to that effect," he said. "The Maoist view of 'going to the CA polls unitedly', is a hint towards bargaining seat for the constituent assembly," he said, adding: "Some senior Maoist leaders could be elected unopposed, but bargaining for CA seats is not possible," he said. "Also, the Maoists' 22-point demands, threat to quit government and seeking announcement of republic before the CA elections, all can be taken as bargaining tactics," he said. "The Maoists' proposed roundtable conference could not be held after nobody responded to the Maoist invitation," he said. "Only the dissident faction of MJF led by Kishor Kumar Biswas showed interest to attend the conference," he said. "There is no alternative to unification of the Nepali Congress and the NC-Democratic because nomination for the CA polls should be filed by September 30," he said, adding that the process is being delayed due to NC-D president Sher Bahadur Deuba's stance. The Himalayan Times daily reports
Mahato Elected NSP Prez
The special convention of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP-Anandidevi) led by Rajendra Mahato's faction has relieved Anandidevi Singh of her position of party chief on Friday (Sep 14). The no-trust motion against Anandidevi Singh was passed by the closed session of the convention in Birgunj. Mahato later became new chief of the organization. Mahato faction proceeded with the convention even though Anandidevi Singh had announced its suspension. Mahato has claimed that 80 to 85 percent of party workers and leaders are with him. On the other hand, the NSP faction led by Anandidevi Singh has written a letter to the Election Commission not to recognize the convention by the dissidents. Leading dailies report
Mainali Promises To Tighten Security
Home Secretary Umesh Mainali has said that the government is preparing to tighten security situation in the country from September 18. Addressing security personnel at an orientation program organized in Dhangadi, on Saturday (Sep 15), Mainali said the security will be tightened in view of the impending Constituent Assembly (CA) election. "Now our security agencies will present themselves in a strict manner. We have no choice," he said. Taking a swipe at frequent bandhs and transport obstruction in highways on various pretexts, Mainali warned that the security forces would now control the situation. He said that bandhs and strikes in roads and highways would soon be declared illegal. He said that a new law is being introduced, which will allow the administration to imprison bandh-organizers up to six months. Compiled from reports
Melamchi Cost To Come Down By 28 Percent
After the government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) agreed to cut down on some constructions in tunnel and water reservoir, the total cost of Melamchi Water Supply Project is expected to come down by 28 percent. Now the total cost of the project will be $ 318.2 million or over Rs 21 billion. This agreement was reached at the meeting between government officials and visiting ADB mission last week in Kathmandu. The government had agreed with ADB proposal to cut some components of construction following the withdrawal of aid commitment by three donors. The MWSP is targeted to be completed by 2012. The World Bank, NORAD and CEDA had earlier backed out of the project. The WB had withdrawn aid of $ 80 million in 2002; NORAD had withdrawn $ 28 million in 2005; and CEDA had withdrawn $ 25 million in 2006. Meanwhile, after the Norwegian (NORAD) and Swedish (CEDA) withdrew their aid commitment, the cost for constructing 26-km long tunnel has ended up being much cheaper for the government. The two donors had set precondition for limited competition to choose contractor. But now the government can open global competition for the same, which has resulted in the coming down of its cost from $ 74.3 million to $ 65.2 million. The tender for tunnel construction would be invited after government fulfills ADB's condition for institutional reforms. The government has promised to complete the reforms by mid-December this year. Other components that have been cut down include water reservoirs. Instead of ten reservoirs, it is now agreed that only two will be constructed in Bansbari and Hepali Height. Kantipur daily reports
Govt-Chure Sign 9-Point Pact
The government signed 9-point agreement with Chure Bhawar Ekata Samaj on Thursday (Sep 13). Ram Chandra Poudel, Minister for Peace and Reconstruction and Keshab Mainali, president of Samaj, signed the deal. "We have addressed their demands," said Minister Poudel, who is also the chief government negotiator. Mainali said that his organization has withdrawn all programs of agitation following the agreement. "We have been assured by the government that all our demands will be fulfilled," he said. As per the agreement, the two sides agreed to go for state restructuring as determined by the Constituent Assembly. Likewise, the government has agreed to initiate process to withdraw murder charges slapped against nine Samaj activists. The government has also agreed to bear cost of treating the injured Samaj activists and provide their families with relief, among others. Early last month, Samaj had walked out of talks accusing the government of failing to provide security to hill-origin people inhabiting the Chure-Bhawar region, who have increasingly come under attack from armed Terai groups. Apart from security to hill-origin people, the group has also been demanding 'autonomous Chure-Bhawar state'. Compiled from reports
US Urges Nepal To Provide Exit Permit To Refugees
The United States has requested Nepal government to provide 'exit permit' to the Bhutanese refugees who want to be resettled. The US ambassador Nancy Powell made the request with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, during their meeting on Thursday (Sep 13). Although the Nepal government has agreed, in principle, to allow resettlement of willing refugees, it is yet to take a formal decision to this effect. Reports say that PM Koirala – even though he did not use the term exit permit – had indicated that Nepal would allow such refugees to resettle. At the meeting, Powell also requested PM Koirala that Nepal should not stop allowing the adoption of children by foreigners. Koirala assured that the adoption will proceed as per the law. The recent decision by the government to stop adoption has resulted in heightened international interest. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports
Dragon Air To Fly To Nepal Again
At a time when travelers have been facing acute shortage of air-seats when traveling to and fro Kathmandu, a prestigious international airlines has announced to resume its operations to Nepal. Dragon Air of Hong Kong, which used to operate flights to Kathmandu till seven years ago, has announced resumption of flights from December this year between Kathmandu and Hong Kong. The airlines announced the resumption of services with four flights a week from December 2. The airline is operating with an Airbus A320 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. "We are delighted to be flying back to Kathmandu, where we first started serving in 1989," said Tom Wright, general manager of the airlines for India, Middle East and Africa. He further added, "As Nepal continues to grow in popularity with travelers from around the world, we have decided that this is the right time to resume services to this high potential destination." He also said that the resumption of Nepal operations will provide better air services for thousands of non-resident Nepalis in Hong Kong as well as international travelers coming in and out of Nepal. As a member of the Cathay Pacific Group, DragonAir flies to niche markets in Asia in addition to its core mainland China market, Wright said, adding that the airlines operates a fleet of 31 passenger aircrafts and six freighters serving 31 destinations, including 21 cities in mainland China. "As a subsidiary of the Cathay Pacific Group, DragonAir provides seamless connectivity for its passengers to more than 100 cities across the globe," he said, adding that the airlines, jointly with Cathay Pacific, operates a fleet of 152 aircrafts and flies to 126 destinations. "Supported by Cathay Pacific's international network, passengers flying with DragonAir will have better connectivity to major international destinations. This will be able to draw a considerable number of international tourists to Nepal through its Hong Kong hub," reckoned Wright. He also informed that Nepali passengers flying by DragonAir and Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong to some destinations in South East Asia, UK, Schenzen countries, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand would not require transit visa. Biswajit Ghosh, COO of Amrawati Travels, DragonAir's GSA for Nepal, expressed hope that resumption of the flights would send a positive message to the international market. Leading dailies report
Goit Faction Vows To Disrupt Election
Despite the government's offer for holding talks, the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-Goit) has vowed to oppose the Constituent Assembly (CA) election. Issuing a statement on Wednesday, JTMM-G chief Jai Krishna Goit swore to resort to armed opposition of the election. In the statement, Goit has unveiled his faction's agitation schedule from September 14 till November 23. The CA election is scheduled for November 22. Goit has further claimed that the election is ' Nepali CA' and has urged natives of Terai to boycott the polls. The JTMM-G has announced Terai bandh on November 20-23 coinciding with the election. His agitation programs include mobilization of people, torch-lit demonstration, gathering and so on. Meanwhile, stepping up their armed activities, Jwala Singh-led faction of JTMM has resorted to a killing spree in Terai. A day after their cadres mercilessly hacked to death a school principal in Siraha district, they shot to death one employee of local brick kiln in Dhanusha district. Kedar Prasad Giri, 35, an accountant at the brick kiln in Baghchauda has been shot to death. A central member of JTMM-J Rajan Mukti has claimed responsibility for his murder. Compiled from reports
School Principal Hacked To Death
Activists of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-Jwala Singh) have hacked a school principal to death in Siraha district on Monday (Sep 10) night. Arun Shrestha, 55, principal of Tulsiram Satyabhama Dotel high school, was abducted from his residence in Bishnupurkatti on Monday evening. They later took him around one kilometer away and slit his throat mercilessly. The dead body was recovered by villagers the next morning. Siraha in-charge of JTMM-J Tufan Singh 'Bidrohi' has claimed responsibility for the murder. Leading dailies report
