Kantipur to file case against detention

Post Report KATHMANDU, June 11 - The Kantipur PublicationsPvt Ltd is preparing to file
a case in the Supreme Court against detention of Kantipur daily Editor Yubraj Ghimire, the Publications’ Managing Director Kailash Sirohiya and Director Binod Raj Gyawali.

The three media personnel were arrested last Wednesday on charges of sedition against the State.

"Preparation is underway to file writ petition as the detention is illegal on the ground that the warrant paper issued by the police does not categorically state under which law they arrested the media personnel. And the basis on which the charges of sedition is carried," states a press release issued here today by the Publications.

According to the press release, Senior Advocates Daman Nath Dhungana and Sarbagya Ratna Tuladhar and Advocate Radheshyam Adhikari along with the Publications’ legal adviser Ram Krishna Nirala are preparing to file the case tomorrow.

The government is likely to present the detainees before the Special Court tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Federation of Nepalese Journalists is organising a rally condemning the detention of the editors and the executives, demanding their immediate release tomorrow. A group of 102 journalists today submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Ram Chandra Poudel through District Police Officer.

Various political parties, Human Rights and other organisations have been demanding for the immediate release of the media personnel. The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors and media executives, issuing a press release today condemned the decision of the Nepalis authorities to arrest the editor and two executives of the Publications.

"In any democratic society, the media plays a crucial role of informing the public, such a role involves the right to express opinion, especially where no further factual information has been provided," said the release.

"IPI calls upon the government to uphold the Nepalis Constitution that expressly guarantees freedom of the media." The release has also demanded immediate release of the detainees.

Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and main opposition CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal have even asked the government to apologise for the arrest.

Amnesty International, US State Department and British Embassy have also expressed their concern over the detention.

All major political parties including the main opposition CPN-UML, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Samyukta Jana Morcha Nepal and CPN-ML have also condemned the government move and have demanded immediate release of detainees.

Various organisations and media persons abroad have also protested against the arrest. Media people held demonstration outside the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi last Thursday condemning the Nepalis government’s move and demanded immediate release of the detainees. Delegation of New Delhi based SAHMAT (Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust) handed over a protest letter to Counsellor at the Embassy.

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and its various district branches condemning the government’s move have been demanding the immediate release of the three detained media people.

Nepalis ‘People’s War’ Support Committee, Belgium, New York based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), American Darpan Publication, South Asians For Human Rights, Nepal, Sahara Group, Movement to Save Democratic Rights, Forum for Independent Thinking, Women Journalist Association of Nepal, among others have called for their immediate and unconditional release.

Investigators grind in

Post Report

KATHMANDU, June 11 – A day, after the tenure of the high-level probe committee formed to investigate the June 1 carnage at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace was extended, the members of the committee looked a bit relaxed today.

Both the members, Chief Justice, Keshab Prasad Upadhyay and Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, Taranath Ranabhat witnessed the "Katto" ceremony at the Kalmochan Ghat, this morning, marking the 11th day ritual of His Late Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

After the ceremony, the two members reportedly drove to the residence of the Chief Justice in Baluwatar and spent 4-5 hours in discussion. It is speculated that the committee has completed gathering facts and details and is awaiting reports of the forensic tests. Various objects and weapons from the carnage site inside the Royal Palace have been sent to the forensic lab in Khumaltar for tests.

The committee members reportedly were working for an average of over 16 hours, since June 8.

The report of the committee is expected to be published on Thursday, June 14.

Meanwhile, some 150 Nepalis workers in South Korea gathered at the Nepali Embassy in Seoul on Sunday and shaved their heads in protest, urging the Nepali Government to investigate the Royal Palace carnage thoroughly, states the Digital Chosun Online Newspaper according to chosun.com.

"Dean Rye, who organized the event said that the Nepalis were concerned that the government was concealing the truth surrounding the death of the Royal Family," states the web site.

Lauda Air move unilateral: RNAC

KATHMANDU, June 11 (PR)- The Royal Nepal Airlines Corporations (RNAC) today said that since Lauda Air took the unilateral decision of sending the Lauda jet for C-check earlier than the schedule, RNAC was not accountable to any resultant liability, according to a press release issued by the Corporation.

The jet was scheduled to go for the C-check on June 15 but it was sent for the check on June 4. The national flag carrier also said that it has communicated with the Lauda Air to hold negotiations to sort out the matter.

On May 31, Lauda Air wrote to the RNAC that it would suspend the wide-body jet’s flight until the RNAC pays the advance monthly rent for the month of June. A day earlier it had asked for the sum. Prior to that on May 29, Lauda Air took the jet to Bangkok to their spare parts station for repair. The aircraft, said its crew, had developed problems in its pressurization system. It was supposed to return after 48 hours, but it did not do so. RNAC admitted that the jet could not be repaired here.

Smoking trend on the rise: Study

By Nitya Nanda Timsina

KATHMANDU, June 11 - Despite ban on tobacco advertisement in electronic media and other efforts by the government to contain smoking trends, recent studies show aggressive rise in smoking trend.

A study concluded by World Health Organization and the government last month shows a phenomenal rise in smoking trends, especially among youths. According to the report, per capita consumption of cigarette has increased from 170 sticks in 1970-72 to 580 in 1990-92 and to 600 sticks in 2000.

Sailesh Upadhyaya, a WHO official admits that the exposure to smoking is rising in Nepal. Exposure to second hand smoking is also rising, seriously affecting the women and children says, Upadhyaya.

The health implications of smoking and second-hand smoking are rapidly growing worldwide. A recent report in the United States says that the number of people dying of smoking would exceed the HIV/AIDS related toll by 2025. The report mainly puts blame for this ominous trend on aggressive marketing and promotion of tobacco commercials.

Nepali people, especially in the Himalayan region do smoke for ages. Another study by health experts points out women in Jumla, mid-western hilly district, as the most notorious smokers in Nepal. About 70 per cent of the Jumli women smoke, says the study.

Not only active smokers but the case of passive smokers is also on the red. The male smokers in Asia (reports say sixty per cent of the Asian males smoke) expose women and children to smoking environment forcing them to become second hand smokers.

Dr Gopal P Acharya of National Health and Research Council says that smokers have 70 per cent higher chance of dying than the non-smokers due to cancer. Of the total of 4,000 chemical substances in a cigarette, 40 of them are carcinogenic which have lethal implications on human health.

The research also shows that infants exposed to second hand smoke could be at increased risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). While the children exposed to second hand smoke have higher risk of bronchitis, pneumonia and weaker lungs. An estimated 15, 000 people in Nepal die annually of tobacco consumption while 150 cases of coronary heart disease related to smoking is reported yearly at the Teaching Hospital.

Besides ban on tobacco commercials in electronic media, the government has also banned smoking at public places. However, the government decision to ban smoking at public places has been comfortably forgotten, let alone enforcing it.

Along with the deteriorating atmospheric air are the problems posed by uncontrolled sale of tobacco and mushrooming cigarette industries and their aggressive promotion and marketing.

According to WHO commissioned study in 2000, there are as many as 38 tobacco industries in Nepal, mostly small and cottage industries. Among them are the five large-scale cigarette factories.

Health activists point out for an urgent need to check smoking at public places through legal enforcement complimented by effective awareness programme and anti-smoking campaigns.

Late King Birendra bade farewell in surreal Katto ceremony

By Satish Jung Shahi

KATHMANDU, June 11 – A centuries-old tradition - colorful at  times, solemn and surreal at others - was played out today on the banks of the Bagmati River which bade religious farewell, probably for the last time ever, to the beloved late monarch King Birendra.

On Monday morning, the area around the Capital’s Kalmochan Ghat at Tripureshwore was packed with Hindu priests (Brahmins), government officials and onlookers. They had gathered there to mark the 11th day Katto ceremony (Saiyya Daan) of His Late Majesty King Birendra.

While the officials arranged necessary materials required for the ceremony, the Hindu pundits were performing the rituals of "Saiyya Daan" that was last performed almost three decades ago after the demise of late King Mahendra.

This particular ceremony, which began during the reign over Kathmandu Valley by the Malla kings, has been continued by the Shah dynasty of Nepal.

And the Brahmin who volunteered himself for the Katto-eating ceremony Monday was no other than Durga Prasad Sapkota, the 75-year-old priest who hails from the district of Kavre. Officials said the Katto (the special meal devoured by Sapkota today) composed of 84 delicacies, including meat of a he-goat, which was sacrificed earlier on the day.

At about 11:30 a.m., he was in the center of the tented room surrounded by offerings from the Royal Palace that were made especially for him. And there were necessary household furnitures like study table, bed, sofa set, cupboard and other daily essentials, including personal belongings of the late King — such as briefcase and walking stick.

A large amount of gold and silver including cash was also offered to the Brahmin.

"Brahmins are considered to be pure...,"said Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai, the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu as he ordered policemen to handle the crowd of curious onlookers. "The offerings symbolize sort of bidding farewell and wishing well-being for the late King, who will now return to Baikuntha (the heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu)."

People in Nepal, the only Hindu Kingdom in the world, believe that the King is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

"One does not even drink water at the mourning place where the 11th day ceremony of the dead takes place…Hence, the Brahmin who eats a wholesome meal that day used to be hated by the locals," Bhattarai further said.

"But things are different now. We have been carrying on the tradition that has been coming down since ages to wish well being for the departed soul," he added.

As the septuagenarian Brahmin devoured the giant meal prepared especially for him, national as well as international media personnel focused their attention on him, even ignoring the presence of high-ranking officials and security personnel. PM Girija Prasad Koirala, Chief Justice Kesav Prasad Upadyaya and Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat were present at the function, as were other high-ranking government, army and police officials.

One could see Sapkota getting dressed in traditional gold-embroidered Nepali dress and a replica of the crown (Shree-Pech) was placed atop his head, representing the departed King. He also wore sunglasses and shoes belonging to the late King, before he was taken on an elephant-ride across the Bagmati to Kupondole and then to Jawalakhel, Lalitpur district. The elephant was also donated to the Brahmin.

According to CDO Bhattarai, Sapkota will stay in Kattepati, Jawalakhel, for the next 24 hours, from where he is scheduled to leave either for his home in Kavre or "wherever he wishes to go".

Laxmi Prasad Risal, chief at Kausi Tosakhana (a government treasury), said after the colorful ceremony was over, that the departure of the elephant symbolizes that the late King has now "left for Baikuntha and that he will not have to return again."

Tradition has it that the Brahmin who undergoes the process of leaving the Valley (known as "Danda Katne" in the local language) after consuming the Katto, is not supposed to return to the Valley. The Brahmin, who is provided enough money by the royal Palace, is then supposed to leave for elsewhere.

"But things have changed. The Brahmin may return if he wishes to but not on the attire he has presently left the city," says Risal.

Likewise, belongings of late Queen Aishwarya is being presented as offerings to the Chief Priest at the Royal Palace today, officials said. A similar function is being held on Wednesday, marking the 11th day of the death of late King Dipendra.

The 13th day function for all the Royal Family members is being held at the Royal Palace this Saturday.