Void citizenship certificates to be replaced: Home Minister

KATHMANDU, Aug 6 (PR) – The 34,000 citizenship certificates declared void by the Supreme Court would be replaced, said Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka in Parliament today.

Minister Khadka said that Nepali citizens holding citizenship certificates which the apex court decided should be cancelled citing procedural shortcomings will be provided with their citizenship certificates through the right procedures within one month of receiving notification of the cancellation decision.

Few days back the court had declared void about 34,000 citizenship certificates issued four years ago under the instruction of the then Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bamdev Gautam. But it is yet to pass the final judgement.

He said those having completed the process for the citizenship would be issued new citizenship certificates.

Many of these people have already used the certificate to get jobs or buy property and now with the certificates revoked, they could face major difficulties and so would the administration.

The Home Ministry has already issued a directive to Chief District Officers of twenty districts not to entertain those citizenship certificates distributed and even take away those certificates.

Four years ago, the government had formed 87 teams who were given authority to distribute citizenship certificates to about 3.4 million people of which about 34,090 people were given the certificates.

The court however had ruled that only about 4,000 of them would be valid as they were issued by the Chief District Officer (CDO). Under the present law it is the CDO in each district who are responsible for issuing these documents. The court had declared the distribution illegal saying that there was no legal provision to form such a team and distribute the citizenship certificate.

The move from the Supreme Court had prompted the lawmakers from Nepal Sadbhawana Party to boycott the House proceedings demanding the government take up the issue. They also alleged discrimination against the people of the Terai when it came to issuing citizenship certificates, which is a fundamental right of every citizen of this country.

NC party chief made ineligible for third term

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KATHMANDU, Aug 6 - The Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala will not be able to contest for the same post again after he completes his second term in four years.

The party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) today made the amendments to the party’s Constitution as suggested by the party’s General Convention held earlier this year at Pokhara.

Koirala was elected the party president during the meet, which was his second time to hold the highest post of the nation’s ruling party.

A committee comprising of Narhari Acharya, Sushil Koirala, Arjun Narsingh K.C., Chiranjivi Wagle and Basudev Risal, collected the suggestions made by the Convention members and presented the proposed amendments at the CWC meet today.

Besides the party president, presidents of the district committees will also be restricted to only two terms. Other changes include reservation of at least one seat for women members from all the 205 constituencies who will attend and vote in the General Conventions.

Another controversial issue of renewal process of active party membership will also be simplified. The issue had sharply divided the party before the General Convention. The faction in the party led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has alleged party president Koirala and his supporters of illegally refusing to renew the membership of their supporters to ensure that the majority of support remains with Koirala.

The CWC last week had given the go ahead to the initiatives made by Prime Minister Deuba to hold peace talks with the Maoist rebels.

The CWC, in the first meeting since Deuba replaced Koirala, had discussed the new Prime Minister’s call for cease-fire and peace talks with the rebels which has been accepted by both the sides.

The endorsement by the party’s CWC would make it easier for Deuba to move ahead his peace proposal to end the Maoist insurgency that, in the past five years, has claimed over 1,700 lives since the rebels began waging a guerrilla war from the hills of Central and Mid-Western part of the country. Immediately after he was elected the Prime Minister, Deuba called a unilateral cease-fire and asked the rebels to come forward for peace talks. Rebel leader Prachanda immediately agreed to the proposal and suspended all offensives leading to a conducive environment for dialogue with the government.

UML-CC endorses left unity proposal

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KATHMANDU, Aug 6 – On the third day of the Central Committee (CC) meeting of the main opposition CPN-UML, a proposal on unity of the left parties was endorsed unanimously on which a point states that the party is seriously going to work for either unification or cooperation with like- minded left parties including CPN-Masal, CPN-ML, CPN-United Front, Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party, CPN-United, CPN-Marxist and CPN- Marxist Leninist and Maoist among others.

This is seen as a major step initiated by the party in order to reunite with CPN-ML, which broke away from the party some three years back citing serious differences over UML supporting the Mahakali Treaty. This step has more or less verified the ongoing rumors of senior party members holding talks with the ML leadership for possible reunification of the party in near future.

According to a source, Khadga Prasad Oli, a powerful leader in the party had raised objection over CPN-ML’s name being included in the list, but his objection was ruled out.

The statement undersigned by the party spokesperson Pradeep Nepal, whose resignation is also one of the major agenda of the meeting, adds that the party had decided to start talking with the different left parties in a positive note in order to integrate the Communist revolutionary movement.

The statement also appeals to the underground Maoist party to join mainstream Communist revolution withdrawing extreme revolutionary attitude and giving up arms.

Meanwhile, as the meeting was still going on today, the party issued a statement pointing out that various newspapers were bringing out false information regarding the decisions taken by the party in the meeting.

Moreover, stating that the "false and baseless" information is being provided by some of the party’s Central Committee members themselves; the party formed a two-member investigation committee to look over the matter. The Committee is being led by Amrit Bohara, head of the organizational department and has Raghu Pant, another CC member and a Member of Parliament, as a member.

Even as the party is regularly informing the media about the meeting, it is regarding that false and twisted information is being provided to the media. Even the words spoken by the members are being flashed out before the conclusion of the meeting. Such undisciplined and irresponsible behaviour of the CC members is not only alarming but also termed as an action of betrayal to the party, the statement states.

The meeting is to continue tomorrow 11 a.m. It is most likely that the meeting will discuss about resignation of Pradeep Nepal tomorrow.

Gangetic dolphins sighted in Pathriya-Mohana confluence

By Man Mohan Swanr

DHANGADI, Aug 6 - A team of researchers has for the first time spotted around 20 dolphins at the confluence of the Pathriya and Mohana rivers, tributaries of the Karnali river, one of the three major river systems of Nepal.

The team, headed by the President of Private Forest Development and Wild Life and Birds Conservation Center, Thapapur, Bhoj Raj Shrestha located the herd of dolphins Sunday afternoon. The team has also successfully captured them in the camera. This is the first time dolphins have been sighted in the rivers. However, the team has not been able to decide whether the herd swam upstream from the Karnali river, where Gangetic dolphins are found.

The confluence, where the dolphins were spotted lies 20 kilometres south of the East-West Highway and 12 Kilometres Southwest of Tikapur.

Gangetic dolphins are found in the Koshi, the Gandaki and the Karnali rivers, major tributaries of the Ganges which flows down to the Bay of Bengal.

The sighting came days after wildlife expert, Dr Shanta Raj Gyawali in an interview mentioned that only six dolphins were spotted in Karnali.

But the team leader Shrestha, who has been indulged in various research programs for the last three years, claims that as many as 100 dolphins are found in the Karnali river in Nepal. Locals say, at this time of the year large number of dolphins can be spotted at the Karnali river and its tributaries. However, during winter the number dwindles.

Hiroshima marks 56th tragic anniversary

By Gunaraj Luitel

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Aug 6 Thousands of Japanese people released dozens of doves in the sky from the Peace Memorial Park here early today to commemorate the tragic 56th anniversary of the American bombing.

This beautiful city inhabited by millions of people was reduced to a cinder within a few seconds after the US military force dropped The Little Boy, an atom bomb, for the first time in the history of human civilisation at 8.15 a. m. on August 6.

During historical function held here today, people from all over the globe also prayed for world peace, hoping that such a man made tragedy may not repeat in any part of the world in future.

The Little Boy was dropped by B-52 bomber which flew in here from the port of Pearl Harbour when children were preparing for their schools as usual. People could hardly hold their tears while going through the belongings of the little innocent kids - bags and tiffin-boxes -perished in the bombing that turned the entire city into a mass grave.

The remains of the man made disaster have been preserved at the Peace Memorial Park as it is so that the future generation can fully understand the devastating consequences of the nuclear bombs.

Ayoja Taniguchi was the first year student at Hiroshima Prefecture Junior school when the bomb was showered from the high above the blue sky. Though his father rescued from the rubble of his house, he succumbed to the catastrophe on the same day. The visiting Japanese children keenly observed Taniguchi’s school identity card and his uniform preserved in a corner of the memorial park.

The body of Koheru Hirakawa, a teacher at a local school, who was 50 when the bomb was dropped over her head, could never be recovered. But her spectacles and hand bag have been kept at the memorial site. Still, the witnesses of the human catastrophe are leading miserable lives.

"We have been studying the history how this city revived and how flowers and plants started budding half a century after the nuclear disaster," said Yasunari Hatakeyama, a six grade student at Yano Nisi Elimentray School in Hiroshima city, who was one of the thousand of students participating in the 56th anniversary of the US nuclear test against humanity.

"We have to establish a little paradise that is tied with mutual friendship and trust," said Yuka Fujimori, a student at Dambara Elementary school of the same city.

A peace message sent by the UN Secretary General, Koffi Annan, was read out amidst the grand function, attended by popular Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koijumi, his cabinet members and dignitaries from the world over.

"Let’s commit ourselves not to repeat such a tragedy in the world," Secretary General Annan appealed in his candid message.

The second strongest economy of the world has not only revived the old glory of the devastated city out of the nuclear rubble within a short span of 50 years but has also plead for perpetual peace in the globe.

"Precious lives of countless human beings were perished here in the catastrophe. Taking lesson of the nuclear disaster, Japan has always been advocating for peace," Prime Minster Koijumi said, adding, "Japan has embraced the three principles toward eliminating nuclear arms. Japan has also been raising voices for the full implementation of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) ratified in 1972.

The three principles accepted by Japan in 1968 include non-proliferation of the nuclear arms, non-possession of such arms and prohibition of their entry into the country.

It is estimated that more than 200,000 people were killed and more than 75,000 houses were reduced to ashes due to the bombardment. The number of the Hibakusha (survivors) are estimated to be higher than those perished in the incident. The survivors are now 70 years on average.

Yushi Phunahasi, a Professor at the Hiroshima University, who is one of the survivors of the nuclear disaster, said that Hibakusha families were reluctant to make public their past lives for fear of social discrimination.

"An atom bomb does not distinguish who is what. The bomb dropped on the city at that time was targeted on civilian areas," Phunahasi said addressing the World Mayor conference.

Hiroshima city, the first victim of the nuclear test, is trying its best to preserve all the remains in an open museum with a view to spreading the message of peace throughout the world. Experts said that temperature of the ground zero soared up to 3,000 to 4,000 degrees celsius in which the living creatures and buildings of the city were reduced to a cinder. According to eyewitness account, several people had plunged into rivers after they could not put up with such pain.

Those who survived the catastrophe were found suffered from the diseases such as hearing impaired, chest cancer and anaemia. The second generation Japanese people also are reluctant to share their agony suspecting that they might be the victims of any incurable disease genetically infested by the Hibakusha. "Though I am alive, I suffered from Hepatitis in 1971 because of the nuclear radiation. I am receiving treatment for multiple diseases," another survivor Akihiro Tanakashi told The Kathmandu Post. He said that 14 of the 60 students of his class could survive the disaster.

"I do not want to say that the USA dropped the bomb. But I dare say that only one nuclear bomb killed all of my friends," he added.

Oppn seek details on foreign investor’s pull-out

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KATHMANDU, Aug 6 – Lawmakers from the opposition parties today demanded that Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat provide the House of Representatives with details and reasons leading to withdrawal by a major foreign investor from the Nepal Indosuez Bank.

They also demanded that the government clear the allegations that shares owned by the Credit Agricole Indosuez, a French banking group that ranks among the top ten in the world, are in the process of being sold to just one individual.

"We demand that the process of selling the shares with the support of Nepal Rastra Bank and the Finance Ministry be stopped at once or this could be another big case of irregularities," claimed Prakash Chandra Lohani of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).

He further alleged that though the agreement clearly says that if one of the parties was to sell off its shares then other major shareholders should be given the preference in acquiring these shares.

However both Rastriya Banijya Bank and Beema Sansthan who own 5 per cent stake each in the bank’s capital have not been given the permission by neither NRB or the Ministry to do so. "Instead they are hatching a big plot to pocket hefty commission by illegally selling off the shares below the market price to this one buyer," Lohani said.

Similarly, Dilliraj Khanal of the main opposition CPN-UML said that RBB or Beema Sansthan should be given the preference to purchase the shares.

The banking group has already officially declared to withdraw its investment from Nepal at the meeting of the Board of Directors of Nepal Indosuez Bank.

Credit Agricole Indosuez’s decision to exit from the Nepalese banking sector comes despite the government, through a Cabinet decision recently, bowing down to the long standing demand of the group to allocate 67 per cent stake in the bank, up from the present 50 per cent. The bank presently has a paid up capital base of Rs 500 million, of which the general public holds 20 per cent. Bank officials cited worsening economic condition of the country and policy of the French banking group to invest in only large ventures as the main reasons behind the withdrawal of the investment.

Meanwhile, Lohani, defending allegations that he abused his authority while he was agriculture minister, said he had never misused his position by sending people in the livestock area on a European Union scholarship to study veterinary studies.

The recommendations to send this one individual was first made by the deputy director general of the planning section, endorsed by the director general and then again by the special secretary and the then secretary Surya Nath Upadhaya, said Lohani, adding that he only gave assent to recommendations made by the officials.

Upadhaya, who is now the Chief Commissioner of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, was accused by a lawmaker last week that he had abused the authority in this case along with Lohani. Ironically the case is mentioned in the CIAA annual report presented in Parliament by Upadhaya himself.

Demands for Upadhaya’s resignation was also made in regards to this case and also for being questioned in another case of government irregularities.

RPP concerned over Maoists’ activities

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KATHMANDU, Aug 6 - The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) today decided to draw the attention of the government regarding various "objectionable acts" of the Maoists even after the cease fire agreement was reached between them.

"We would like to draw the attention of the government regarding the Maoists who are still resorting to various rebellious activities even after the new Prime Minister had called for a dialogue and in a situation of cease-fire agreement between the two parties," stated a press release issued here.

The release said that their party is sending its representatives to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to draw their attention on the Maoist activities — such as abduction, Jan Karbahi (peoples’ action), forceful extortion.

There was also discussion on the political report presented by the party general secretary Pashupati SJB Rana. And the discussion would continue on Tuesday also, added the release.

Seminar on TB, HIV/AIDS control held

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KATHMANDU, Aug 6 - A two-day seminar to formulate guidelines for migratory population for TB and HIV/AIDS control in SAARC countries kicked off in the capital today.

Dr D S Bam, Director of SAARC TB Centre (STC), citing serious implications of the spread of TB and HIV/AIDS by the migratory population said, "STC has put up an agenda to the government regarding the issue of the migration of people infected with TB and HIV/AIDS."

The two-day seminar organised by the STC will finalise programmes for the year 2001 and review the progress of the centre by discussion, sharing experiences on TB and HIV/AIDS control in the region, according to the organisers.

The seminar, participated by delegates representing various member countries, was led by Dr Bam, Mr.Thinlay Dorji, Director of SAARC Secretariat, Ibrahim Shaheem, Chairman of the Governing Board of STC and medical observers from Japan, among others.

"Since HIV/AIDS supports infection of TB rapidly, migration of population intra-country or inter-country increases the possibility of TB and HIV/AIDS," said Thinley Dorji. "The diseases do not require visas to travel across borders and it is never too late to search solution for the problem raised by the diseases" he added.

Data and draft reports of HIV/AIDS, vis-à-vis the migratory population were also presented at the seminar. According to the reports, more than 56 per cent of the AIDS patients in the region have TB, affecting the most productive age groups.

STC has been organising different levels of training, co-ordinating research in priority areas and collecting information in the fields of disease control in the region, said Dr Bam.