Leadership election today
RPP adopts ‘middle-way’ on king’s role in politics

By Yuvraj Acharya & Amrit Bhadgaule

POKHARA, Dec 13:The second-day of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s Third National Convention concluded here today recognising a "middle-way" between king’s effective role in national politics and consolidation of multiparty democracy with constitutional status of monarchy during a troublesome time.

The convention, in a round about way, stressed the need for an effective role of the king in politics and governance. The political agenda approved by the convention today stated, "It is not unnatural (for the party) to expect the king’s effective role at the present troublesome time."

RPP’s political agenda approved today unanimously by the delegates also stressed the need for perpetual cooperation of the king to address the present problems dogging the country. "The king’s cooperation is a must to get rid of the present problems including the Maoist one," the political agenda adopted by the party said.

In addition to indirect support to the king’s October 4 move, the political agenda of the party urged the concerned authorities, though not aiming anyone particular, not to ignore the role of political parties in national politics.

The convention flayed present economic policies adopted by the government as "Khichadi Tantra" and stressed the need for adoption of a mixed economy that would ensure social justice for the poor people.

Very few number of the delegates attended the session, though. Most of the leaders were working to gather support from the delegates for elections Saturday to the party’s executive committee, including the chairmanship.

Three second-generation leaders are on neck to neck competition for the post of chairman. All of them have expedited their campaign for the polls that would commence at 9 a.m. in the morning.

The future of the 80 contestants including three candidates for chairman, 64 for 22 members and 13 for women’s reserved seats is expected to be decided by Saturday afternoon with the completion of counting.

Today’s session of the convention through a special motion, appreciated founder chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa for playing a vital role to bring the party into present state. Thapa is retiring on Saturday with the election of a new chairman.

Friday’s closed-door session also approved some amendments in the party status for the second time since its promulgation. The amendment among others extended two reserved seats to four and added a new provision to award ex-officio central membership to party’s former chairmen and Prime Ministers affiliated to the party.

18 Nepalis killed in West Bengal road mishap

BHADRPUR, Jhapa, Dec 13 (PR)- At least 18 Nepali nationals were killed and several others injured when a packed reserve bus heading toward Shillong, Meghalaya, north-eastern state of India, met with an accident at Jalpaigudi, West Bengal early today, according to the Nepal Police in Kakarbhitta. The site of the accident is located about 140 kilometres east of Kakarbhitta, a border town.

Quoting the injured passengers, the police said that the bus fell from the road after hitting a tree on the roadside. Only one person killed in the accident has been identified as Bal Bahadur Rai, 42. All the injured people are undergoing treatment at a government-run hospital in Malbazaar, West Bengal.

The passenger who survived the fatal accident said the accident occurred because the bus driver was intoxicated with alcohol. Police said that most of the people travelling in the ill-fated bus were from Morang, Bhojpur and Jhapa districts and they were going to Shillong for seasonal labour.

Thousands flee homes to escape from Maoist recruitment drive

By Nawaraj Shahi

JUMLA, Dec 13:Thousands of people from various parts of this mountain district have thronged in the district headquarters to escape from impending force-recruitment by Maoist rebels.

There has been a widespread rumour that the rebels were about to attack at one of the district headquarters in Karnali zone in the near future and the rebels were planning to use the villagers as human shield. The villagers, who came here for fear of their lives, said the rebels were re-grouping to attack on a certain part of the region.

People of this impoverished district are still hounded by the gruesome Maoist attack in Jumla’s district headquarters on November 14. The rebels had destroyed almost all the government facilities, leaving more than two dozen security personnel dead and several others injured on that fateful night.

Of the total 42,000 population in the district, most of the youths have fled their homes - either in the district headquarters or elsewhere - leaving behind their children and elderly people. Hundreds of people have gathered at the local airport waiting for their turn to fly to Surkhet and Nepalgunj to escape from the Maoist rumours of force-recruitment.

Deepak Bhattachan, local in-charge of Yeti Airlines, said that all the seats for 66 flights for ten days (from December 5 to 15) have already been packed. He said that they were operating six flights a day due to the mounting pressures of the passengers. Royal Nepal Airlines, the state flag career, is also operating four flights a day, he added.

56-year-old Bir Bahadur Shahi of Narakot Village Development Committee (VDC), who arrived here recently, said that more than 300 villagers had left their village for Surkhet. But they were forced by the rebels to return to their respective homes, he said and adding that the rebels discouraged the people to leave their villages.

"There has been a massive exodus of people outside the village as compared with the previous years," said Tungnath Upadhyaya of Ludaku village.

Another local from the Sinja Valley said that almost all the youths from the 11 VDCs of the valley have left their homes for Terai or India via Bajura district. He said able workforce is unavailable in most of the villages.

Due to the Maoist rumours, many schools have been closed after the annual examinations weeks before the usual winter vacation. Nor is the government’s daily administration functioning properly in the absence of government office buildings.

Report on poverty reduction lauded

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KATHMANDU, Dec 13:The UNDP Resident Representative, Henning Karcher, today appreciated the efforts of the team which had prepared the Nepal Human Development Report on Poverty Reduction and Governance-2001. The report has won the Excellence in Support of the Millennium Development Goals Award.

" Development cannot be achieved until people are at the centre. And the report has suggested ways which can go a long way in ensuring just this," Karcher said at the press conference.

The National Planning Commission (NPC) Vice Chairman, Dr. Shankar Sharma had left for the US to receive the award. The report was picked up as the best from among 450 such reports submitted by 135 nations.

King grants audience to Nepal

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KATHMANDU, Dec 13:King Gyanendra today discussed current political impasse with CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal. The meeting assumes significance as the nationwide protest called by the CPN-UML against the October 4 royal move is to begin shortly.

King had a meeting with Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala yesterday.

According to sources, the meeting took place in the morning in which Nepal stressed the need to form a government under Article 128 (2) of the constitution something which the party has been stressing ever since October 4, the day when Sher Bahadur Deuba was dismissed.

"I am committed to democracy," the sources said quoting king. But Nepal insisted that corrections have to be made to restore the derailed constitutional process.

During his meeting with the king, Koirala had suggested reinstatement of the House of Representatives, but Nepal today suggested formation of an all-party government under Article 128 (2).

Meanwhile, the series of royal audiences have been billed as an indication of something positive on the anvil. NC Central Working Committee (CWC) member Dr Ram Sharan Mahat expressed the optimism that reinstatement of the House could not be ruled out under the circumstances.

He also said that formation of the government under 128 (2) would still fall short of the need of the time since the government so formed will not have parliament to fall back on through the crucial juncture.

Similarly, CPN-UML Standing Committee member Keshav Badal said, "The fact that king has started conferring with political parties suggests that those quarters who were out to undermine parties have received a setback." The audience was granted in the run up to the massive rally announced by the party on Sunday.

Rocca promises support to strengthen democracy

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KATHMANDU, Dec 13:The visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Christina Rocca, today said the US government was always ready to provide support to Nepal to strengthen democracy under the Constitution, according to major
political parties.

In a flurry of meetings held today with the government and the leaders of the political parties, she discussed the political and security situations in Nepal and the bilateral relation between the two nations.

Rocca, who arrived yesterday night, was granted audience by His Majesty the King today. She also met the Chief of Army Staff at the army headquarters and chiefs of major political parties. During all her meetings, Rocca was accompanied by US Ambassador to Nepal, Michael E Malinowsky and other embassy officials.

During her meetings with Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Foreign Minister Narendra Bikram Shah and Foreign Secretary Madhuraman Acharya, Rocca expressed concerns over the escalating Maoist violence and pledged US assistance to combat it.

Speaking to the reporters after his talks with the US official, Secretary Acharya said the two sides discussed the bilateral and other relevant issues. When asked to elaborate, he said Nepal and the US discussed the Maoist violence, Nepal’s entry to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Bhutanese refugee stalemate.

Rocca also met the Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal at their residence.

A statement issued by the NC today said that Rocca discussed the current political situation, Maoist violence and the US assistance to Nepal. She said she was aware of the prevailing situation here and assured her country’s continued support to Nepal so as to strengthen democracy under the constitutional process.

Similarly, a statement issued by the CPN-UML said that the two sides interacted on matters of mutual interest.

The Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia has visited Nepal at a crucial time, both for Nepal and the superpower. Not only has the Maoist violence continued unabated, the rebels have also killed two security guards working at the US Embassy in Kathmandu, on the alleged charges of spying.

This is Rocca’s third visit to the Himalayan Kingdom. She leaves for Pakistan on Sunday.

Nepal trounce Malaysia to maintain cent per cent record

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KATHMANDU, Dec 13:Nepal today defeated Malaysia by eight wickets in the last preliminary league of the Under-15 Youth Asia Cup, played at the Dubai Cricket Stadium II, maintaining a cent per cent win record in the tournament.

Malaysia scored 109 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 34 overs. In reply, Nepal reached the victory target in just 19.3 overs with the loss of two wickets.

Nepali bowlers carried on from where they left the Sharjah ground, during Thursday’s thumping victory over Qatar, as they bowled brilliantly once again.

After being put to field from Malaysia, Nepali bowlers frequently troubled the Malaysian batsmen, never allowing them to settle down at the pitch.

Right-arm medium pacer Deepak Shrestha sent Syafiq Shariff to the pavilion after the batsman faced just 14 balls making seven runs. Shrestha removed Mohammad Lokman for four. Six of the Malaysian top order batsmen went out cheaply as they were reeling at 46/6 during one stage of the match.

Credits go to Mohamed Fendi and Abdul Hadi for repairing the early damage to some extent. Number nine batsman Hadi smashed 39 runs off just 38 balls, helping his team to set a hundred plus target. He belted six boundaries in his brisk innings. Fendi chipped in with a patient unbeaten 21 runs, which came off 53 balls.

All Nepali bowlers introduced by captain Raj Shrestha did their jobs extremely well. Amit Alok, who replaced Mahesh Chettri, pleased his captain, bagging two wickets in his seven-over spell that cost him 21 runs.

Left-arm orthodox bowler Raj Shrestha continued his consistency, picking up two wickets. However though Bantu Bataju failed to bag any wicket, he bowled an economic spell, conceding only 19 runs in his allotted seven overs.

Chasing a lowly target of 110 runs in 34 overs, the left-right combination worked for Nepal after the opening pair of Pawan Das and Sunil Kumar Jain added 79 runs for the first wicket.

Jain, who was promoted to the number two position, proved his potentials smashing 42 runs off 54 balls before being run out. He was later adjudged man of the match. Left-handed Das maintained his consistency with the bat scoring 27 off 42 balls. Sarad Veswakar, hero of Nepal’s win against Qatar, remained unbeaten on four, as vice-captain Paras Khadka did the rest of the job, smashing a rapid fire 20 off just 16 balls.

The Super League, involving the Asian Test playing nations of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, is all set to commence from Sunday. Nepal and Kuwait booked the Super League berth from Group ‘B’, while United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman are the Group ‘A’ qualifiers for the Super League. The final of the tournament will be held on December 22.

Street children taking to glue-sniffing as first step towards addiction

By Pooja Shrestha

KATHMANDU, Dec 13:"When I inhale ‘den’, I am out of this world. I first aim my arrow at the moon and travel high up to the moon," Hari (name changed) says. "It is very cold and peaceful out there. A trip to the moon." He adds that he is just accompanied by one of his friend Dhane; a den-sniffing buddy.

Once a street child, Hari, about 17, is now a resident at the drop-in centre at SAATHI, an NGO working for destitute women and children. Hari has been a hard-core drug addict for nine years while living on the streets of Thamel collecting and selling used plastic bags. His ‘fix’is dendrite, an industrial strength glue found in the local market for Rs30 a tube. Hari today has succesfully kicked the habit with the help of SAATHI.

But there are thousands of street children in Kathmandu who continue to be addicted to glue, various studies have shown. Glues like dendrite is easily available and comparatively cheap. The practice is of concern because many of these same studies also show that kids addicted to glue usually go on to hard-core drugs later on, causing a host of social and economic problems.

According to a study on the practice of glue-sniffing by Child Workers in Nepal -Concerned Centre (CWIN), which interviewed 118 street children in various areas of Kathmandu, glue sniffing is rampant among street children. Of the total respondents in the age group of nine to 16 years, 43 per cent street children were using glue like dendrite, tipex (a white correction pen) etc. in different quantity.

According to the estimates of Drug addiction Demand Reduction Program (DADRP), there are about 200,000 drug addicts in Nepal. Most addicts crave for other kind of stuff such as brown sugar, ‘smack’, opium, heroin, bamboo, tobacco, marijuana and tidigesic.

Women’s Cell in the Valley Police of Kathmandu states that around 95 per cent street children sniff dendrite. Many even use dendrite as a substitute for regular meals. The initial use is generally due to peer pressure but children get easily addicted. They also use it to ward off hunger.

Dr. Dhruva Man Shrestha of Mental Hospital said, "Glue sniffing affects the brain almost immediately." He further said, "Due to this reason, children might suffer from intoxication where they would not feel the cold, fear, tiredness and hunger. Others would be chest problem, restlessness, stealing and might lead to serious problem like even death." He adds that addicts could also be aggressive and violent.

Most of the children surveyed in the CWIN report were found to be suffering from hallucinations and euphoria. Various experiences such as seeing actors, seeing money, being able to talk with God and the like were the most popular immediate effects of glue sniffing reported.

The organisations working on drug issues state that mostly street children begin their addiction by sniffing glue and then gradually work their way up to more hard-core stuff.

PABSON initiates discussions with Maoist students
Schools likely to remain shut for few more days

By Nitya Nanda Timsina

KATHMANDU, Dec 13:While there appears to be no end in sight to the indefinite strikes imposed on educational institutions by the Maoists students, the organizations of private and boarding schools have privately initiated discussions with the revolutionary students, All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union (Revolutionary), ANNISU-R, it was disclosed here today.

The organizations of private and boarding schools on Monday announced the closure of schools for five days, giving an ultimatum to the government to resolve the crisis. However, PABSON’s five-day closure ended today without any response from the government, nor was there any word from ANNISU-R.

Speaking to The Kathmandu Post today evening, Rajesh Khadka, president of PABSON said that all the schools’ principals would be notified by Saturday evening whether or not to go ahead with the further closure.

"But we are still undecided about the re-opening of schools from Sunday," said Rajesh Khadka, president of PABSON, sounding still confused.

"However, one need not be panicky at this stage. We are stuck only in one demand of the ANNISU-R. If that is resolved, then we are opening the schools," he said, adding a ray of hope for a possible solution to the stalemate.

A source close to PABSON revealed today that the ANNISU-R had in a private communiqué issued to the private-boarding schools warned them not to make haste to open schools without their further notice.

"Today, we held indirect consultations with the Maoists students’ organisation. After that we have taken this stance to wait and see until some more days," said a mediator, requesting anonymity.

According to PABSON, the only deadlock that could not decide the re-opening of their schools was the Maoists demand for a fifty-per cent fee reduction. The deadlock occurred as the Maoists students continued to stick to their demand.

PABSON differ saying that it was next too impossible to reduce fees by such a huge margin of almost 50 per cent.

The deadlock over the ANNISU-R’s demand for the reduction in fees by 50 per cent has left PABSON virtually undecided to open schools from Sunday, according to sources.

"If there is still no written confirmation by Saturday evening, we would be forced to declare a further week-long closure," said Parmila Singh, principal of NK Singh Memorial School in Baneshwor.

The threat from the ANNIU-R has affected the public schools even more seriously. According to Birendra Rajaure, headmaster of Tika Vidhyashram School, a government-run secondary school in Lalitpur, not a single student came to the school after the commencement of the ‘indefinite strikes’ by the ANNISU-R since last week. The school houses some of the country’s poor students, who attend their classes while performing labour in the Valley.

Headmaster Rajaure plans to declare winter vacation for these poor students, if the strikes continue for another few days and the threats from the Maoists continue to terrorise the students.

Meanwhile, issuing a joint press statement today, the National Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation (National PABSON) and the Guardian Association of Nepal said that they had petitioned a letter to Devi Prasad Ojha, the Education Minister requesting him to resolve the impasse as early as possible.

WCPA secretariat set up

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KATHMANDU, Dec 13:The secretariat of the World Commission for Protected Area (WCPA), the largest network of protected area professionals in the world, has been set up in Nepal, said a press release from The World Conservation Union (IUCN) here today.

The WCPA is one of the six commissions of the IUCN, a Switzerland-based international organisation working in the field of nature conservation around the globe.

At present Dr. Uday Raj Sharma, who is also the Director General of the Department of Plant Resources, is the vice-chair of the WCPA South Asia. All the South Asian countries, except Bangladesh, are the members of WCPA.

A year after refugee verification, solution nowhere in sight

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KATHMANDU, Dec 13:Saturday marks one year of completion of the verification of Bhutanese refugees in the Khudunabari camp but the refugees are still far from being repatriated to their homeland.

Exasperated by the delay in solving the refugee imbroglio through bilateral process, the refugees have been calling for international intervention, especially that of the US and India. The latter controls Bhutan’s foreign and defence policies.

High-level foreign ministry officials admit that there had been a long delay in conducting the Ministerial Joint Committee meeting but expressed the helplessness in the face of the Dragon Kingdom’s "delaying tactics". "We might have to consider involving the international community soon," said an official, requesting anonymity.

Nepal and the US on Friday discussed the Bhutanese refugee deadlock during the foreign ministry officials’ talks with the visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Christina Rocca on Friday. The officials, however, declined to divulge the details of the meeting.

The verification, conducted by Nepal-Bhutan Joint Verification Team (JVT), started on March 26 last year and concluded on December 14, during which over 12,000 Lhotsampas (Bhutanese of Nepali origin) were verified. According to refugee leaders, the JVT findings have shown that more than 90 per cent of the camp dwellers are bona fide Bhutanese nationals.

Nepal and Bhutan have developed "serious" differences over "harmonisation" process, term used for reconciling the difference over the categorisation of the refugees. The 12th round of foreign ministers’ meeting that was scheduled to take place last year after the verification has still not taken place.

The verification in the other six camps in eastern Nepal is yet to be undertaken.