Parties tell rebels to call off bandh

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KATHMANDU, March 31:The all-party meeting called by the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) on Sunday agreed to fighting out the "unprecedented political crises gripping the nation in the recent weeks."

This has been attributed to the spiraling Maoist violence and remarks coming from the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Prajwal Shumshere Rana "speaking out of turn and accusing the political parties of having worked in dubious light to land the country in the current imbroglio."

However, apart from refraining from taking wrong steps in the future, nothing concrete and substantial has been agreed upon. The opposition parties have been, however, reported to have told the ruling party to keep its own house in order before bracing up to fight out bigger challenges.

Meanwhile, apart from deciding to call on the rebel outfit to call off the five-day bandh called through April 2-6, the meeting once again arrived at the resolve to work to preserve the achievements of the movement for the restoration of democracy 1989 by "working concertedly amidst moves at destabilising the nation and derailing the current political structure."

This comes in the wake of the perceived synchronised moves at "derailing the democratic set up by certain quarters, which do not subscribe the idea of multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy, both of which are the achievements of the 1989 movement for the restoration of democracy."

As NC Central Working Committee (CWC) member and spokesman of the party, Arjun Narsingh KC, told The Kathmandu Post, "The meeting centred on the need to goad the rebel leadership to call off the bandh as the immediate concern and need to work in tandem by all the parties in parliament to ward off threat to the system in place."

However, the issue of immediate concern for all the parties is the unhindered conduct of the SLC examination, which have been scheduled through April 2-10.

Understandably, any hitches in the conduct of examination is likely not only to affect the career of the thousands of students but is also likely to affect the electoral prospects of all the political parties in parliament as and when the nation goes to the polls.

Asked to comment on the likely gesture from the rebel outfit on the issue of calling off the bandh, none of the leaders who had attended the meeting expressed optimism that the CPN-Maoist may indeed do so. " Be on the lookout as to what eventually happens," was the common refrain coming from both the ruling and the opposition party leaders.

Although Narayan Man Bijukchhe of the Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (NWPP) had referred to the need to postpone the scheduled examination, other parties have however reported to have insisted on goading the rebel outfit to back down.

However, the meeting did not take any decision on the issue of the controversial remarks apart from billing the same as objectionable. As K C said, "No decision has been arrived on the issue since Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is yet to clarify on the issue in parliament."

The meeting, nonetheless, concluded after impressing upon the ruling party leaders to seek the clarification from Prime Minister. "Just in the event the clarification is not admissible, it is the ruling party which must vie for a reasonable conclusion on the issue," Narayan Man Bijukchhe of the Nepal Workers’ and Peasants Party (NWPP) said.

The parties in parliament, which had representation in the meet were the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP), Rastriya Jana Morch (RJM) and Samyukta Jana Morcha (SJM).

HM concludes 3-day visits

By Kulchandra Neupane

POKHARA, March 31 : His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on Sunday returned to the capital from Gorkha after concluding his three-day visits to Maoist affected districts, security sources said here today.

During his whirlwind visits to the insurgency-hit districts, the King took stock of security situation and actions launched by the security forces against the outlawed Maoists.

The King had left the capital on Friday to visit the Maoist affected districts like Rolpa, Dang, Achham, Salyan and Gorkha, accompanied by Crown Prince Paras, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Prajwalla SJB Rana.

Security sources said that His Majesty the King had already acquired information about the security situation in the Bijayapur-based army barrack before leaving for Gorkha.

The King inspected the Gorkha Palace and offered prayers at the Gorakh Kalika Temple, a family deity of the Shah dynasty. The King also paid homage to the Gorakhnath Baba during his stay in Gorkha. Crown Prince Paras was also present on the occasion.

On the occasion, Gorkha Chief District Office, Bhola Siwakoti, Gorkha Palace Chief, Purna Jung Shah, local representatives and security officials had welcomed the King and the Crown Prince.

The King also granted an audience to all the staff of the Palace, and a palace priest briefed overall situation of the Palace to the King.

The security sources told The Kathmandu Post that the King held serious discussions with the PM and COAS about peace and security of the 16 districts in the Western Development Region at the Bijayapur-barrack till late hours on Saturday.

PM Deuba, who was accompanying the King to the districts, today returned to Kathmandu from Pokhara without visiting Gorkha. The PM also spent Saturday night at the barrack.

Chief of the Bijayapur barrack Prakash Bahadur Basnet had briefed the King about the region’s security situation. Before his departure to the capital, PM Deuba told the local representatives that the security situation in the region was "satisfactory" except for Gorkha. "Except for Gorkha, security situation of the region has improved," an elected representative quoted the PM Deuba as saying.

NC leaders rap Deuba govt

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KATHMANDU, March 31:Most of the Nepali Congress district presidents during the second day close session of the three day meeting, expressed their disenchantment with the working style of Sher Bahadur Deuba- led government and urged for strict action from the party to bail out the country from going worse.

The district presidents, who have a strong grip of party president Girija Prasad Koirala, have also urged the party to seek alternatives to the government leadership.

According to a participant, the district chiefs of the party also have demanded clarifications from the Prime Minister on the issue connected with the controversial remarks of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) publicized Wednesday.

They also criticized the activities of ministers for leading the party towards brink of collapse through the means of corruption.

Some participants, who are known to be close to Deuba camp in the party, criticized the party establishment for being prejudicial and failing to build confidence within the party.

The meeting is expected to conclude Monday issuing a declaration, which will be forwarded to the government as guideline for it.

‘It is Bhutan, not Nepal, that is delaying talks’

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KATHMANDU, March 31:A day after former foreign minister alleged that Nepal was not giving priority to resolve the deadlocked Bhutanese refugee repatriation issue, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh while refuting the allegation said that it was Bhutan that was delaying the holding of long-overdue ministerial-level talks.

"We are willing to hold the delayed talks. It is Bhutan that has not agreed to the dates proposed for the talks," Singh told The Kathmandu Post today, in the presence of Acting Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya.

When asked to comment on Bastola’s remarks, the minister of state replied that Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of the ministry Gyan Chandra had already clarified on the issue. However, he admitted that the talks have been inordinately delayed.

This is in direct contrast to what former Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola who after completing a three-day visit to Bhutan on Saturday said that Bhutan was seemed more willing now to resolve the refugee imbroglio.

Speaking to The Kathmandu Post, Joint Secretary Acharya said, "Nepal is ready to hold talks anytime. As far as the former minister’s comments are concerned, he may have been misinterpreted. The Bhutanese side has to agree to the dates." However, he declined to divulge if Nepal has proposed any fresh dates.

When asked the reason for the delay in holding the dialogue, Acharya said "Bhutan is studying the issue. They are having long consultations. But as soon as they agree, the talks will be held." The 12th Joint Ministerial Committee meeting was to be held in Kathmandu last year in December but the foreign ministers’ meeting had been postponed for various reasons.

Meanwhile, the acting foreign secretary and the spokesperson are flying to Washington on Monday "to hold bilateral talks with the officials of the US Department of State". Speaking about the agenda, Spokesperson Acharya revealed that economic affairs would top the agenda. He added that impact of terrorism would also figure in the talks. Although the Nepali side is trying to meet Secretary of State Colin Powell, they are meeting Under Secretary of State for South Asia Affairs.

Maoists bomb Jhimruk power plant

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KATHMANDU, March 31 : Security forces on Friday gunned down four Maoists in Rolpa and Myagdi districts and confiscated firearms and other explosives from the districts, according to the Defence Ministry.

Meanwhile, reports from across the country stated that the rebels destroyed millions of rupees of property after attacking government facilities, hydro-electric projects and several VDC offices.

Issuing a press statement here today, two rebels each were killed in Rolpa and Myagdi districts. The two rebels killed in Myagdi district have been identified as Mukti and Paran and the others killed in Rolpa were yet to be identified.

The Ministry said that the security forces on Saturday defused two bombs in Rajbiraj of Saptari district and the other in Kabilas area of Chitwan district.

According to the Ministry, a group of Maoist rebels killed Rameshwor Yadav, Vice-Chairman of Khayarmara VDC of Mahottari district, on Friday. Yadav was fast asleep when the rebels knifed him to death.

A report from Dailekh said that the security forces in Manma, the district headquarters of Kalikot, foiled an attempt of Maoist attack on Saturday night.

Security sources said that the rebels had fired six rocket launchers at an army barrack from Kotbada hill. But the rebels were forced to retreat within two hours of heavy exchange of fire. Security officials said that they recovered some SLR and SMG from the hill from where the rebels had targeted the barrack. Casualties on the Maoist side could be verified. Property worth Rs. 500 million was destroyed when the rebels on Sunday evening bombed an Agriculture Research Centre at Kavre Gaon VDC, about 35-km east of Charikot, the district headquarters of Dolakha.

The rebels set all 11 office buildings and quarters of the Centre on fire and destroyed almost all the equipment, said Ram Chandrika Prasad, chief of the Centre. The rebels made off with six computers. Police said the office had no rooms to live after the rebels destroyed their quarters.

Our reporters in Dang said that property worth around Rs. 50 million was damaged after the rebels on Saturday night attacked the powerhouse of 12 megawatts Jhimruk Hydro Electric Project in Nayagaon VDC of Pyuthan. The power plant was built by Butwal Power Company.

In Parbat, Maoists set a vehicle belonging to the Modikhola Hydro Electric Project on fire and pelted socket bombs at the powerhouse at Tilahar VDC-9 on Saturday night. Officials said that property equivalent to Rs. 1.2 million was damaged on the fire.

Prakash Kumar Shrestha, the project manager, said that the powerhouse was filled with water shortly after the Maoists attacked it with bombs. The rebels also set ablaze a dozen buildings of Divisional Road Office and a similar number of vehicles near Jhimruk.

On Saturday night, the rebels also destroyed about a dozen district level government offices in Khalanga, the district headquarters of Pyuthan.

Chairman of Pyuthan District Development Committee Bam Bahadur Khatri said that around 150 telephone lines have been disrupted after the rebels bombed a telephone exchange office in Bijuwar.

He said the rebels also cut off power supply to Salyan district by tearing down transmission lines at several places. Police said that the rebels blocked most of the country-roads linking to various districts in the mid-western region.

Our Nuwakot-based reporter said that property equivalent to over 10 million rupees was reduced to a cinder after the rebels attacked several government offices in Dhaibung VDC of Rasuwa district yesterday.

The rebels also destroyed a telephone tower and bombed six VDC offices in Nuwakot district ahead of the five-day Nepal bandh.

Meanwhile, our reporter from Arunkhola in Nawalparasi said the rebels set a branch office of Nepal Electricity Authority on fire on Sunday morning. An eyewitness said that the rebels had forced the office staff to leave before destroying it.

Our reporter in Surkhet said that the rebels looted parcels of letters sent from Bajura to Humla district. Postmen said that the letters were related with the security offices. Ahead of the Maoist called Nepal bandh, the rebels have warned almost all the postmen not to carry any letters or parcels to-and-from the mid-western region.

Telephone service in the region has been paralysed after the rebels earlier destroyed almost all the towers of the Nepal Telecommunication Corporation.

Unprecedented solidarity formed against rebel-called bandh 

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KATHMANDU, March 31:Political parities as well as the organisations representing students, teachers and guardians here today committed to make the upcoming School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examination, starting from Tuesday, a success despite the threats of nation-wide strike called by the Maoist rebels.

An all-party meeting, represented by seven political parties, including the ruling Nepali Congress today urged the callers of the five-day bandh to withdraw it, adding that it otherwise would ruin the students’ life and trouble the whole nation.

A joint statement was issued today by Nepali Congress, main opposition CPN-UML, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Nepal Peasants’ and Workers’ Party, United People’s Front, Nepal Sadbhavana Party and National People’s Front.

Also for the first time in the 12 years’ history of multiparty democratic system, four student organisations, affiliated to different political parties, have come up with an unprecedented solidarity against the rebels who have declared their nation-wide bandh when over 250 thousand students across the country are sitting for the SLC examination.

In a joint statement, issued here today, the four major student organisations – Nepal Students’ Association (NSA), Nepal Democratic Students’ Organisation, Nepal Student Forum and All Nepal National Free Student Union (ANNFSU) – said that they are committed to help the examinees against any threats from the strike callers.

The student organisations are staging a rally to show their solidarity and to create pressure on the government to guarantee security of the examinees on Tuesday, from Exhibition Road in the capital.

"We are ready to help the students in any way as much as our power allows us," states the joint release. The release has also urged all the examinees to sit for the examinations without feeling insecure.

On behalf of the four student organisations, chairman of the Central Committee of ANNFSU, Rajendra Bahadur Rai, said that the Maoists’ call of the strike, which came long after the publication of the government board’s schedule, was "irresponsible".

"We condemn the Maoists’ step and demand that they stop threatening the guardians not to send their children to the examination halls," said Rai.

NSA Chairman Bishow Prakash Sharma said that the four organisations have already issued circular among the local units to "manage the situation if a limited number of Maoist rebels try to create furore in the examination centres".

He also criticised the government’s cutting off the examination centres and urged to let the students sit for the examination with their entrance cards alone.

Earlier, the government had issued a notice urging all the examinees to produce additional identity cards to sit for the examination.

Similarly, the teacher organisations have also preferred to go ahead as per the set SLC schedule. General Secretary of Nepal National Student Organisation Ramakanta Sapkota said, "We want to make this examination go as per the schedule."

Still, he said that the security in the remote districts is not satisfactory and needs improvement so that the examiners also feel secured in their working areas.

"If the strike is called off by now considering the future of the students, the Maoists would achieve thousand times more than they are planning to with the strike," he said.

Mohan Gyawali, General Secretary of Nepal Teachers’ Organisation said that the teachers are caught between the sky and the deep blue sea. "If the teachers deny their appointment as superintendent, the Ministry will take action against them and if they do so, there are the rebels to threaten their lives," he said, urging the government to beef up the security, especially in the villages.

He also asked the government to think about rescheduling the examination if no other alternatives work out.

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Baikuntha Das Shrestha, said that the examination schedule was set only after the co-ordination with the ministries of education, Defence and Home affairs.

He said the students and guardians need not feel any disturbances because the security forces stand by the premises of the examination centres and claimed that the situation in the examination hall will be normal.

Meanwhile, Tarun Dal, the youth wing of the ruling Nepali Congress has also condemned the rebels’ call of the bandh and urged the callers to withdraw the decision.