India-built barrage affects thousands in Lumbini

By Pramod Poudel

MARCHAWAR (Rupandehi), July 31 –  Thousands of people here have been affected and thousands of hectares of cultivated land inundated after the construction of the controversial Rassiyal-Khurda-Lautan barrage just 200 meters away from the Nepal-India border, south of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

After three days of incessant rains, things suddenly changed in this remote Terai region as the "on going construction" of the barrage prevented the natural flow of water into the Indian side leading to flooding on the Nepali side. Prior to this week’s monsoon rains, flooding was negligible, say locals here.

Construction work of the six-meter-high afflux bund, which is supposed to augment the Danava River water flowing down to India, started six months ago. With the two kilometer long earthen structure constructed, ten kilometers still remain to be built.

A technical team has arrived here from Kathmandu, which will stay here for a few more days before they present an on-the-site study report detailing the impact and possible consequences of the barrage construction on the Nepali side.

Says Arjun Prasad Shrestha of Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS), leader of the report team, "The construction of such a barrage should have been carried out on the basis of mutual agreement. These are flood prone areas which should be managed through joint efforts."

Leader of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and former minister of state for water resources Sarvendra Nath Shukla, who was with the team of journalists in the inundation expressed deep concern on the situation here and said that the India-built structure should be pulled down so as to avert the submersion problem for once and for all.

"This poses a serious threat to the population and cultivation on the Nepali side upstream so there is no way out but to halt the remaining construction work, which should not continue in future," he added.

Locals here are literally paranoid. They wonder: If flashfloods can wreak havoc like this (knee-deep submersion), what will happen in case of heavier downpours and floods gushing down from higher mountains in future?

One local resident, Shrawan Kumar Raya, says, "In previous years we didn’t witness such inundation since there was no such barrage and there was natural flow of water towards India." But with the barrage’s supporting bund preventing natural flow of water, there are many locals like Raya who are fearful of the "future consequences".

And it is not only the villagers in Nepal who are affected. Even the locals on the Indian side are not happy with the construction of the barrage. According to them, the Indian government has been "deceiving" them saying that the bund structure was "in reality a road" – a statement the Indian locals themselves are not ready to accept.

The construction work on the barrage has been stopped for now. "We don’t know why they have stopped it. Maybe they have stopped the work because of the current controversy or maybe because of the rainy season," says Raya. Currently, hundreds of villages are inundated on the Nepalese side while about 10 villages inundated in the Indian side. As to the barrage construction, Nepal has formally asked India to halt the construction of the barrage through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Don’t attack monarchy, says Deuba

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KATHMANDU, July 31 – In his first public appearance after taking over the premiership, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that support of the monarchy was essential in order to solve the Maoist problem and for the survival of the country.

Deuba also admitted publicly that the present crisis of the country had arisen because Nepali Congress, which has been in power for most of the 11 years of country’s democracy, and all the other governments had failed to address the core problems of the country.

The Prime Minister was speaking during a function in the capital today, organized by INSEC an organization working for Human Rights to commemorate the ninth death anniversary of Prakash Kafle, a human rights activist and founder member of the organization and to present the Prakash Kafle Human Rights Award.

"We all know what the capacity of our leaders are. All have been exposed by their activities in the last decade. We all know, no one listens to the Prime Minister anymore so nothing can be done without the support of the constitutional monarchy," Deuba said.

He added that Nepal needed monarchy and appealed to all to stop attacking or criticizing it.

About his ongoing efforts to solve the Maoist problem he said that he had taken Prachanda’s statement very positively and regarded him as a "very brave leader" and added that he expected support from the monarchy and all the political parties .

Speaking on the occasion Sushil Koirala, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress and Prakash Chandra Lohani of RPP reiterated their party’s support to the Prime Minister in his efforts to start dialogue with the Maoists and pull the country out of the present crisis. But leader of the main opposition party in Parliament CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal accused the government of failing to hold the Maoist problem by its roots.

Lohani warned that Nepal had to be ever aware to the possibility of foreign encroachment. "We have to solve our problems by ourselves, keeping our geographical location in mind. It would be our folly to think that the big nations would keep on gazing at our mistakes."

Former Foreign Minister also said that it was time to decide on the type of democracy the country needed saying that the last decade has shown that transplantation of the Westminster model did not work in Nepal. He added that dialogue with the Maoists was a must but had to make sure that the fundamental democratic values were not compromised.

CPN-UML leader Nepal criticized the government, accusing it of trying to make only the insurgents happy and not looking at the socio-economic problem of the country. "The Maoist problem arose because of the degrading socio economic factor and it can be solved only by improving on those and making the Nepali people happy."

Nepal heavily criticized the Maoists saying that there was a lot of room to doubt their intentions. He accused the Maoists of killing over 30 cadres belonging to his party and developing "Culture of Silence" in the territories occupied by them. "Either you people have malicious intentions behind your fundamental words or you have been unable to control your own supporters. If the latter is so then how do you think you are going to run the country?" he lashed out at the Maoist leadership.

The winner of this year’s Prakash Kafle Human Rights Award was also announced in the programme. This year the award was conferred in Sonam Chejung Lama from Mugu.

Meanwhile, continuing his efforts to win confidence from all sides before starting dialogue with the Maoists, Prime Minister Deuba today met with former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala in the latter’s residence this morning. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat Koirala assured the PM of full cooperation and support. Deuba also met with the leaders of the Sadhvawana Party, United People’s Front and National People’s Front in the same regard today.

Congress to discuss peace bid in CWC meet 

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KATHMANDU, July 31 – The ruling Nepali Congress Party has decided to call a meeting of its Central Working Committee (CWC) on Friday morning to discuss, and if possible to endorse, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s peace initiatives with the Maoist rebels.

A top advisor to the Prime Minister told The Kathmandu Post Tuesday that the Congress has decided to call the CWC meet to discuss the peace initiative. "We are hopeful that CWC will endorse our initiative," he said.

He also added, "Once the CWC endorses the Deuba peace plan, the government can then proceed full steam ahead in its efforts to bring the rebels to the negotiating table." "We will be holding all-party meetings before and after CWC to solicit others views. We want this to be an approach based on true national consensus," he further said.

The Prime Minister himself has remained busy selling his initiative from the first day of his appointment. He first got the rebels to agree to a cease-fire, which was followed days later by the release of 15 jailed rebels. The Maoists also have issued statements welcoming the new government’s approach. As a result, an optimism has risen to high levels creating pressure on the government.

Deuba’s top advisor admitted the heightened expectations and said, "we fear, if we can’t deliver, the people might just lose hope in negotiations."

India ‘halts’ barrage construction works

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KATHMANDU, July 31 – India has temporarily halted the construction of the controversial Rassiyal-Khurda-Lautan barrage just 200 metres south of the Nepal-India border, reports from Rupandehi said.

Government officials in Rupandehi district said that Indian construction crew appeared to have halted works on the barrage, just a day after Minister for Water Resources Bijay Gachchhaddar informed parliament that Nepal had formally asked India to halt the construction.

Minister Gachchhaddar confirmed the latest developments to The Kathmandu Post. "Yes, we have received information to that effect," he said when queried whether the construction of the barrage had temporarily been put on hold. But he indicated that the information had come through Nepali officials and not from India.

"Our team from the Ministry is down there studying the site and they will soon submit an official report. Then, I can inform parliament about it after we have received the report, hopefully tomorrow," Minister Gachchhaddar said.

Nepali experts, officials and Buddhist groups have flayed India for constructing the barrage. The barrage, about 20 feet in height, is certain to submerge a large part of Nepali territory. Many people fear that nearby Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, could also be inundated by flooding.

Parliament has already directed the government to submit a detailed report on the status of the barrage. Experts say, it is a flagrant violation of international norms to construct a barrage within five miles of an international border without seeking consent of the concerned neighbouring country.

PM presents Bill on Kamaiyas

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KATHMANDU, July 31 – A little over a year after the government outlawed the practice of Kamaiya or bonded labor, the House today began discussion on the Bill to prohibit the practice.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba presented the Bill today for discussion. This Bill was tabled in the House of Representatives last year, however, the continued disruption of Parliament had forced the process to be delayed.

"I hope this Bill after necessary amendments through discussion from all the parties will come out as an appropriate law to free all the bonded labors," said Deuba.

The Bill would now go to a parliamentary committee where the members representing most of the political parties in Parliament will debate it clause by clause and make the necessary amendments. The final draft agreed by the committee will be passed back to the House for final endorsement.

On July 2001, the government headed by Deuba’s predecessor Girija Prasad Koirala, through a cabinet decision, made the practice of bonded labor illegal and announced that anyone who was involved in the practice would be punished under the law.

Though forced labor and slavery is banned by the Constitution and is punishable by law for up to 10 years in prison, the government estimates that there were at least 16,000 bonded labors in five western districts of the country.

Human Rights groups claimed that the figure of these people in Banke, Bardia, Kailali, Kanchanpur and Dang districts could be as high as 40,000 who for generations have been working as bonded labors trying to pay off debts drawn by their fathers or grandfathers.

The decision also freed these bonded labor of all obligations they had towards their landlords including the money they owed and any and all bonds that are either written or verbal were also declared void.

Anyone who tried to force these bonded labors to continue or those who are still involved in the practice would be sentenced to between three to 10 years in prison and slapped fine upto Rs. 25,000.

The Bill proposes that no court hold legal the agreement or bond between the landlords and these bonded labor and such a case would be thrown out. These landlords would have to return all the property taken from them within six months from the day the new law takes into effect.

A committee will be formed in each of these districts headed by chairperson of the District Development Committee who will have 10 members to look after the welfare of these ex-bonded labor and safeguard their newly founded rights.

These ex-bonded labors, if they need legal assistance, will be able to file their petition with the committee. Petitioners could also be awarded compensation where found necessary.

The opposition parties, which had lauded the government for the bold move, today said the proposed Bill was vague and inadequate to deal with the situation. "The Bill is still unclear on how the government proposes to rehabilitate these freed bonded labors by providing them with employment," said Subash Nemwang of the main opposition CPN-UML.

Nemwang said the concept of compensation was also not clear and it should have been based on the degree of suffering these people had gone through on the hand of the landlords.

Narayanman Bijukchchhe of the Nepal Workers and Peasant’s Party said these bonded labors should have been awarded half the land from the landlords recognizing them as Mohis or tillers. Under the Land Reforms Act, Mohis are eligible for half the land from the owners.

Former DPM Poudel doubts Maoists’ sincerity

KATHMANDU, July 31 (PR)– Former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ram Chandra Poudel told the House of Representatives today that the Maoist rebels have not halted their terror-tactics despite the mutual cease-fire between the government and the rebels.

Poudel said that the Maoists are yet to match the sincerity displayed by the government to hold dialogue with the rebels. He added that the Maoists and their affiliates are attacking other party workers and elected representatives, extorting money, closing private schools and beating the teachers. "These activities are not conducive for the dialogue."

"All the citizens have become hopeful of the peace after the cease-fire announcement. But unfortunately, the Maoists have till not stopped terrorising the people. This must stop immediately."

Meanwhile, the lawmakers today expressed their disappointment on the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Population and Environment. They said that the allocation needs to be increased. However, Vidya Bhandari of CPN (UML) questioned the utility of the ministry, saying it has not fulfilled its responsibility. Hari Acharya of National People’s Front introduced Rs 100 cut motion to the budgetary allocation for the ministry.

Members also continue to raise their concerns over the flood havoc throughout the country. They asked the government to provide relief to the victims of the flood.

Meanwhile, besides the Kamaiya Bill, another one, Nepal Health Services (Second Amendment), was passed on to the concerned committee for discussion.

Addiction on the rise despite relentless rehabilitation efforts

By Subas Risal

KATHMANDU, July 31 - Ram Sharan spent six months at a rehabilitation centre before returning home as a reformed man. But, few weeks later, he was abusing drugs once again after all the struggle he went through to get rid of it.

He is one of the thousands of drug abusers who relapse back into abusing drugs even after receiving the treatment.

Despite the relentless efforts of both the governmental and the non governmental organisations to rehabilitate drug users, the relapse rate stands at a whooping 80 per cent or more.

Though majority of such drug abusers seek some kind of help at these mushrooming rehabilitation centres in the Capital, data shows that there is a high tendency among drug users to revert back to their old habits.

"The period following the rehabilitation was very tough for me due to the rejection by the society and my own family," says Ram Sharan, whose name has been changed to preserve his identity.

He stayed at the rehabilitation centre for six months and returned home to face the society, which, according to him, was a bitter experience.

"The society refused to recognise me as an ordinary person, even after the rehabilitation. On top of that, harsh treatment by my family members added insult to my injury. Since there was no other alternative, I resorted to use drugs again despite my sincere efforts to quit it," he said.

Activists campaigning to rehabilitate the drug abusers say that there are roughly 50,000 such users in the country. Different organisations and social workers have been working to promote awareness against drug addictions but none have given much priority to the period after the rehabilitation.

Experts say, this period should be given high priority if the number of drug users is to be reduced, as there is a high chance of relapse among the users during this period.

Drug users are categorised into two groups - oral and intravenous users. Various studies and researches have revealed that there are around 30,000 ‘oral users’ while the rest are intravenous (IV) user.

"When society itself is reluctant to treat the users as ordinary people even after the rehabilitation, it is obvious that frustration creeps in them and they take refuge in drugs again," said Dr. Mohammad Shamsuddin, an expert on the issue and director of the Lifesaving and Lifegiving Society (LALS).

"The Health Ministry and other NGOs have undoubtedly done whatever they could to rehabilitate the users but much attention has not been given to the period after they are back in the society," said Dr. Samsuddin. "If they are treated in the same fashion by their family and society even after being rehabilitated there is every chance that these people will adopt their old habit."

Not only the relapse in use of drugs effects the single user but also there is equal chances that he or she could go on to spreading deadly diseases.

Studies and researches on the Human Immuno Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) reveal that one of the factors for increasing HIV infections is drug addiction. Drugs users are more susceptible to HIV as sharing of needles among them is common. AIDS is a fatal disease which cannot be cured.

Drug abusers are not accepted by the society as they are considered by most as pariah and outcasts. As some of these drug users opt to criminal activities like stealing to finance their habits, most people tend to keep a distance from them, say experts.

Experts call for speedy verification

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KATHMANDU, July 31 - Several Human rights activists, government officials, Solidarity Group-India, refugee representatives and prominent diplomats Tuesday denounced the categorization of Bhutanese refugees and urged for a speedy, transparent and time-bound verification to solve the decade-long refugee stalemate in Nepal.

The representatives arrived at the decision after nearly a day-long consultation on "Bhutanese refugee problem and verification process" on the occasion of Ninth Prakash Kafle Memorial Day organized by Group for International Solidarity, GRINSO-Nepal.

Speaking at the occasion, Narayan Man Bijukchchhe, Chairman of the Peasants and Workers’ Party who was also the chief guest at the programme said that the refugee problem in Nepal is a problem forced by India. "Refugee problem is created by India and the responsibility to solve it should also rests with India," he added.

Ananda Swaroop Verma of Bhutan Solidarity Group, India and a prominent human right activist in South Asia pointed out a serious flaw in the verification process saying, "I don’t think this process would complete in five years." He added that India could have solved the problem long back but the leaders like IK Gujaral, VP Singh and the present Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee all think that they should support Bhutan King due to the geo-political consideration.

"India would never like to see political change in Bhutan for fears of severing its tie with the Monarch," Verma quoted IK Gujaral, the then crafty diplomat and foreign minister of India as saying. He urged for a south -Asian level solidarity and pressure groups to force Bhutan to accept back all its refugees.

Presenting his paper on Bhutanese Refugee Problem and Verification process, Hiranya Lal Shrestha Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-ML), an expert on Foreign relations, outlined three conditions for the repatriation of refugees: that the government of Bhutan institutionalize human rights in first place, practice pluralism and develop multi-ethnic relationships. Nepal and Bhutan both share common interest and must develop trade, diplomatic and cultural relationships, he added.

Shrestha pointed out that India’s long standing "double standard" policy in South Asia particularly to the refugees of Bhutan and its efforts at changing the ethnic composition to remove Nepali speakers from the so-called "India’s security sensitive zone" in the North-East have placed a log on to the wheel of 100, 000 refugees in Nepal who are being forced to become stateless as a result.

Jhalanath Khanal of CPN-UML flayed the then Home Minister and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba of blindly accepting the categorization of refugees. He urged the government to prioritize refugee problem, intensify and make more scientific and transparent the cumbersome and sluggish verification process which when allowed to continue at the present pace would take several years to complete, let alone begin repatriation.

The representatives will meet with Bhutanese refugee delegate on Wednesday to arrive at a joint resolution in the form of action plan and strategy, Pramod Kafle of GRINSO-Nepal said.