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| NEWS FLASH 2000- LAST UPDATED : Thursday, August 03, 2000 12:08 PM + 5:45 GMT | ||
| Koirala's
Bangalore Visit
Rescheduled
Kathmandu, Aug.2: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's hopes of having a darshan of the Sai Baba appears to have been dashed. PM Koirala was previously expected to meet the Sai Baba at White Field Ashram about an hour's drive from Bangalore. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala cancelled his visit to the troubled city of Bangalore beginning Thursday after concluding his two-day official visit to New Delhi which ended Wednesday. Koirala will fly to Hydrabad instead of Bangalore Thursday, Radio Nepal said quoting the Prime Minister's Personal Private Secretary Hari Sharma Wednesday evening. Bangalore has been rocked by a strike over the kidnapping of popular South Indian actor Raj Kumar by the dreaded dacoit Veerappan.
A joint Indo-Nepal statement on the outcome of the New Delhi visit is expected to be
released Nepalese, Indian business communities sign accord Kathmandu, August 2: Nepalese and Indian business communities agreed to explore and expand areas of joint investment and cooperation in trade and industry. Leaders of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries and Confederation of Indian Industries reached the agreement in New Delhi Wednesday for the expansion of areas of cooperation and diversification of trade between Nepal and India. In the agreement, both Nepalese and Indian business communities have agreed to hold trade fairs in both the countries, exchange of visits of business delegations between the two countries and jointly work for the development of human resources, information technology. They have agreed to invest in the areas of water resources, tourism, and agro-industries.nepalnews.com yl Road link between capital and rest of nation cut off Kathmandu, August 2: The capital was virtually cut off with the rest of the country as heavy landslide damaged Prithivi High way, the lifeline of Kathmandu, near Jogimara of Dhading district obstructing all vehicular movement to and from Kathmandu since Tuesday. According to police, landslides damaged the road in Krishna Vir near Jogimara, as a result vehicles to and from Kathmandu have been blocked there for the last 48 hours. The read has not yet been clear. All the buses to and from Kathmandu are in two sides of Jogimara waiting the authorities to clear the road. Similarly, about 200 meter road of Araniko High Way that links Kathmandu with Chinese border has also been washed away by the floods in Sunkoshi River Wednesday. Vehicular movement in this area has also been obstructed. The incessant rain for the last three days has caused heavy floods and landslides in different parts of the country which have damaged properties worth millions of rupees. According to Ministry of Home, as Narayani River changed its course in Nawalparasi district as a result, 300 people in Narayani VDC were rendered homeless. They were rescued by police helicopter and taken to safe areas. Similarly, heavy floods in Karnali River submerged 100 houses in water in Narayanpur VDC of Kailali district. The affected people were rescued by boat to safer place. There have been reports of damages of property in other areas as well. The detail reports are yet to come. Nepalnews.com.yl Strike paralyses life in Kathmandu Kathmandu, August 2: Communist workers went on rampage stoning shops and vehicles that defied the strike called by them to protest the controversial Citizenship Bill that was approved by parliament recently. Life was paralysed in the Kathmandu Valley comprising three cities—Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur—as vehicles stayed off the road and shops remained closed throughout the day in response to the strike called by the communist students. Spokesman at the Ministry of Home, however, said that life was normal in the valley. According to Home Ministry spokesman, supporters of the strike damaged a shop, Immigration office in Thamel and ten vehicles that defied the strike. The ten vehicles that were destroyed include 3 cabs, 2 trolley buses, one government vehicle, one three wheeler and one motorbike. Police took 30 persons into custody in connection with the strike and act of violence. The strike was called by six sister organisations of Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist) or CPN-ML. Meanwhile, the striking communist workers took out a rally in Kathmandu asking all to support their call and demanding withdrawal of the Citizenship Bill. The student wing of CPN-ML has described the strike a complete success. Nepalnews.com yl Floods, Landslides Kill One, Cause Extensive
Damage The waters of the Tukucha entered homes and shops in the posh Kamaladi area of the capital city Tuesday damaging several million rupees worth computer parts and other property. The flow of the Tukucha was obstructed by debris causing the overflow at Kamaladi, residents said. Extensive damage to crops and infrastructure has also been reported from west and far west Nepal. Meteorologists said the rains will subside Wednesday afternoon. Rescuers plucked nearly 102 families from Dhojagaon to safety in Nawalparasi district after the flooded Narayani river threatened them. A landslide also disrupted traffic on the Mahendra Highway in the
district since 1AM Tuesday. Pedestrian movement between Jumla and Dolpa has been disrupted after wooden bridges over the Raigad and Bheri rivers between Narku and Sarmi villages were washed away after torrential rains last week, reports said. Floods and landslides have killed more than 75 persons and damaged infrastructure worth millions of rupees so far. nepalnews.com br Bhoto Display on Thursday Nepal, India Joint Statement Being Issued The statement is being issued at the end of the substantive part of
Koirala's two day visit to India Wednesday. Koirala and Vajpayee began the first round of talks Tuesday hours after
beginning of the first official visit to India by a Nepali Prime Minister in four years. " Nepal is unequivocally committed not to allow her territory to be used for activities prejudicial to the interests of India. Nepal and India have been examining mutually acceptable measures to manage the long and open border. " We are committed to ensure that the privilege of free movement across the open border is not misused by undesirable elements," Koialra later told Vajpayee at a state dinner in honour of the visitor. Bilateral relations nose-dived after the Christmas eve hi-jacking by
suspected Kashmiri militants of an Indian Airlines Airbus on a regular flight from
Kathmandu to New Delhi. Strike in Kathmandu Valley to Protest Citizenship Bill
Kathmandu, Aug.2: Streets of the
Nepali capital were deserted Wednesday in response to a strike call by leftist
students to protest a controversial citizenship bill approved by Parliament
liberalizing tough restrictions to attain nationality. " We amended the Act to ensure that all the genuine Nepalis should not be deprived of the citizenship certificate and to end the difficulties in acquiring it. The new provision does not allow foreigners to get the document," he said. Nearly four million people, mainly from the Terai districts, will qualify for citizenship after the relaxed rules are applied. The bill becomes law only after its approval by King Birendra. A person born in Nepal will have right to citizenship; children with one of their parents born in Nepal are also entitled to citizenship under the relaxed rules. All the opposition parties in Parliament protested the Bill while the Nepal Sadbavana party abstained in the second round of voting to approve the amendment l. nepalnews.com br Leopard Kills Woman Relatives found her body Monday in a forest after a search was launched when she did not return home. She had injuries in the neck.nepalnews.com br Five Tibetans Arrested They were arrested along a highway between Panchkhal and Dolalghat.
They told police through translators they paid middlemen Rs.15,000 to
get to Baudhanath; the middlemen are missing. Police Save Alleged Sorcerers
Kathmandu, August 1: Lawmakers of ruling Nepali Congress and the main opposition CPN-UML engaged in scuffle in the House of Representatives Tuesday forcing the presiding officer to adjourn the House. As lawmaker of ruling party Mohammad Aftab Alam, who resigned as State Minister only Monday, accused the main opposition leader Madhav Kumar Nepal of hatching conspiracy against him, lawmakers of CPN-UML objected to Alam’s remarks and went to the rostrum to attack him. Following this, lawmakers of the ruling party also went to the rostrum to protect Alam which caused scuffle between the lawmakers of ruling and main opposition parties. Alam resigned Monday following a high level judicial probe panel implicated him in an incident involving abduction of CPN-UML workers in Rautahat about three months ago. Alam said that he was not involved in the incident instead opposition leader instructed some hooligans to set his house on fire and kill him. In the Rautahat incident, CPN-UML claimed that Alam was involved in abduction of its workers in Rautahat and demanded his resignation. The government had agreed to constitute a high-level probe panel and oust Alam if he was found guilty in the case. The probe panel submitted its report implicating Alam following which he resigned from the post of State Minister of Forest and Soil Conservation. Alam Tuesday took special time from the speaker to explain the reason of his resignation. Following the incident and adjournment of the House, a group of ruling party lawmakers went to the Speaker and demanded action against the CPN-UML lawmakers who were involved in the scuffle. Nepalnews.com yl Nepal, India Begin Talks in New Delhi
The Prime Ministers will be assisted by aides in the talks that will spread over two days.
" Co-operation in water resources and energy holds out the best promise and could transform the economic landscape of Nepal," Vajpayee told Nepal Television in an interview ahead of Koirala's visit-- the first to India by a Nepali Prime Minister in four years. " We need to improve infrastructure and develop better communication linkages along the Indo-Nepal border. We have agreed at the recent meeting of the high level task force that this will be one of the focus areas for India's development assistance to Nepal in the coming years. " Of late, smuggling and terrorism related crimes have been rising.This a matter of serious concern as much as ot us as to the people of Nepal," Vajpayee said. " The revival of political level activities may take some time," Vajpayee said dashing hopes that the postponed 11th summit of seven nation SAARC will be held soon in Kathmandu. Nepal will press India to remove a four percent surcharge on Nepali exports against the spirit of a bilateral trade treaty that encourages open trade, officials said. Kalapani, Laxmanpur barrage, economic and bilateral security issues will figure in the extensive talks, Nepali officials said. Koirala said he hopes to restore wayward ties ' on the right track." nepalnews.com br Nepal, China Celebrate 45 Years of Diplomatic
Ties Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala told Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji in a message:" Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, our relationship has been marked by cordial friendship, co-operation and good neighbourliness." Zhu told Koirala:" Practice has proved that the good neighbourly friendship existing between China and Nepal not only conforms with the fundamental interests and aspirations of the two peoples, but also conduces to maintenance of peace and security in the region."
" As close neighbours, Nepal and China don't have any outstanding problems, and we
support each other and share common values on various international issues for the common
cause of developing countries," Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola told Xinhua in
an interview. Court Releases Mohan Niraula Police produced Niraula before the court in handcuffs. Justice Sharada Prasad Ghimere rejected the request. Police arrested Niraula even after the Appellate Court, Lalitpur, issued an anticipatory bail order not to arrest him. Lawyers for Niraula said his arrest was "illegal." The Home Ministry issued an arrest order after Niraula at a meeting in the presence of Dhirendra Shah, the brother of King Birendra, issued a death threat against Koirala. Niraula later denied he issued such a threat. Members of the treasury and opposition benches condemned Niraula and alleged Dhirendra Shah was conspiring to topple Nepal's 10 year multi-party democracy. Niraula went underground after his July 8 statement fearing for his life; Dhirendra slipped quietly out of the country. nepalnews.com br Policeman Killed in Maoist Ambush
A group of 13 policemen were on patrol duty in Rolpa which is one of five districts in
west Nepal most seriously affected by a four-year insurgency that has claimed more than
1,400 lives. Kathmandu, August 1: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala arrived in New Delhi Monday for his weeklong official visit to India. Upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Kumar Panja received Prime Minister Koirala, according to national news agency, RSS. Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is to receive Prime Minister Koirala in the forecourt of Rastrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) in New Delhi amidst a special function Tuesday morning. Prime Minister Koirala is to hold official talks with Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee Tuesday evening. nepalnews.com yl Dr.Shanker Joshi Elected AI 18th Group Convenor
Kathmandu, July 31: Dr.Shanker Joshi Monday was elected convenor of the
18th group of
The London-based human rights group Amnesty International has chapters in 55 countries Koirala leaves for New Delhi for a weeklong visit Kathmandu, July 31: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala left for New Delhi for a week-long official visit to India at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Prior to his departure at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Prime Minister Koirala said that his mission was to bring the Nepal-India relations back to track. " This is basically a goodwill visit which aims at developing an atmosphere of confidence between the two countries", he said. " I am carrying goodwill and best wishes of Nepalese people to Indian people and while coming back I will bring the same from Indian people for Nepalese", he said. Prime Minister Koirala said he would give continuity to the old friendly relations between Nepal and India. Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola, his daughter Sujata Koirala, lawmakers, high-ranking officials, media persons and businessmen are accompanying Mr. Koirala. Koirala is to return on August 6.nepalnews.com yl State Minister Alam quits
Main opposition CPN-UML had been demanding Alam's resignation over the Rautahat case in
which CPN-UML workers had been kidnapped. The government had formed a high-level probe
panel to investigate the Rautahat incident. The panel recently submitted its report in
which
The accord signed between the Nepal Freight Forwarders
Association(NEFA) and Federation of Freight Forwarders Association of India(FFAI) will
also simplify trade between the two countries. Encephalitis Kills Seven in Banke Altogether 39 persons were treated for the disease at the hospital since April and only four patients at undergoing treatment at the hospital now. The incidence of the disease is less this year since 56,000 persons were vaccinated in Banke last year to control the disease, a doctor said. nepalnews.com br Campus Closed in Lahan The Union said the closure will continue until the campus administration withdraws the decision on hike " unreasonable" fees. The J.S.Murarka Campus is a major seat of learning in east Nepal. Campus Chief Dr. Laxmi Lal Chaudhari said will negotiate with the agitating students to resolve the issue. nepalnews.com br PM Koirala Flying for New Delhi In Koirala's own words, he will attempt to put the wayward
bilateral relations " on the right track." " All issues that have been raised in the media including he 1950 Treaty of Peace and Frienship, Kalapani, Bhutanese refugee problem,border, Laxmanpur barrage, promotion of trade and joint investment will be discussed during the visit," Nepali Ambassador to India, Dr.Bhek Bahadur Thapa said. A business delegation is accompanying the Prime Minister. Koirala is visiting India in the middle of the budget session of Parliament which is also discussing important bills including giving property rights to women. Meanwhile, the Bhutan People's Party in a statement Sunday asked Koirala to involve New Delhi in bilateral talks with Bhutan to resolve the issue of 100,000 Bhutanese refugees of Nepali ethnicity living in UNHCR administered camps in Jhapa and Morang for a decade. " Nepal should raise the issue aggressively with India," said Narayan Kattel, another exiled Bhutanese refugee leader. nepalnews.com br |
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