‘Arms delivery Belgium’s responsibility’
Phase-wise polls can be conducted: Chand

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KATHMANDU, Dec 23:Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand today hinted that the government could hold phase-wise elections after the security situation improves in the country.

And even if the government cannot make significant headway towards the resolution of the Maoist insurgency, the dates for elections could be finalized after holding consultations with the political parties.

"The Prime Minister has said that the elections can be held in different phases - if the government cannot find an exit towards the resolution of the Maoist insurgency," members of the Governmental Assurances Committee of National Assembly, the Upper House of parliament, quoted Prime Minister Chand as saying in the meeting.

According to the parliamentarians present at the meeting, Prime Minister repeatedly said that the government was ready to hold elections in the country in different phases.

He also said that the government would soon convene an all-party meeting to discuss the possibility of holding phase-wise elections in the country within a week.

This was Chand’s first ever visit to a parliamentary committee after he was appointed as the country’s Prime Minister by His Majesty the King in early October.

The Prime Minister informed the committee about the executive power, controversial statements of the ministers, citizenship controversy and Maoist insurgency, according to parliamentarian Kedar Prasad Neupane.

On the status of the arms being delivered to Nepal by the Belgian government, Chand said that it was the responsibility of Belgium to deliver arms to Nepal, but hastened to add that he didn’t know much about it.

An aircraft carrying sophisticated machine guns to Nepal has got stuck in Kazakhstan for more than a week after India denied overflying permission to the yet-undisclosed cargo carrier. On Sunday, officials in Nepal said that the plane would fly to Nepal soon after offices reopen on Monday, but the status of the plane was not clear until late Monday.

Schools re-open amid uncertainties

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KATHMANDU, Dec 23:Uncertainties still prevailed among many school administration, even as many of them resumed classes today after a two-week-long closure that had threatened the future of capital’s over 2,000 schools and campuses.

Though many of the schools decided to resume the classes after assurances from schools’ organisation, host of schools remained closed even on Monday.

Thousands of schools have been forced to close down due to the persisting threat of the strike called by a Maoist-affiliated students’ organisation, All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union (Revolutionary), ANNISU-R.

Schools and campuses re-opened today only when the Maoist students had offered to withdraw the strike ‘conditionally’, in a temporary agreement reached with the organisation of the private-boarding schools, PABSON.

However, only the senior level students made to the classes today as a large number of secondary-school students have already been given a long holiday. Several of the capital’s private and public schools have also been closed for winter vacation.

Only 20 percent of the schools in the Kathmandu Valley reopened on Monday, according to PABSON. "Many other schools have already announced their winter vacation."

However, it said all the schools would re-open within the next few days.

PABSON on Saturday came out with 11-point ‘code of conduct’ to end the indefinite strike but the ANNISU-R warned of a similar strike in mid-February if all their demands are not met. This has clearly indicated that the future of the schools still remains uncertain.

"We strive for long-term solution and doubt PABSON’s 11-point commitment with the ANNISU-R to bring any long-term solutions," said L Dorji Lama, president of National Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation (National PABSAN).

Dorji’s school did not open on Monday as it was closed for winter vacation. National PABSON has over 2,000 schools affiliated to it, which mostly remained closed for winter vacation.

Any further strikes could severely affect the quality of education and ruin the school education system, parents and schools’ custodians said here Monday, reacting to the ANNISU-R’s conditional withdrawal of the strike.

But some school administration is not worried too much. "As long as it does not impact on the working days, I do not consider taking one or even two weeks a year off to be damaging," said Reena Pradhan, principal of Shiva Puri High School. This school had declared winter vacation to the students withstanding the school calendar and opened today, but only for the tenth graders for coaching classes.

Though the regulation allows schools to close down for winter vacation from December last week only, hundreds of schools declared the vacation before the scheduled time.

King trying for unhealthy competition with parties, says Gautam

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KATHMANDU, Dec 23:Standing Committee member of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) Bamdev Gautam today criticised the king for accepting "civic felicitation" being organised in Biratnagar on the first week of January.

This would be seen as the king getting into an unhealthy competition with the political parties, something not envisaged by the present constitution, Gautam said while speaking at a face-to-face programme organised by the Reporters’ Club.

"There was no such an import job done by the king so far that would deserve felicitations from the people," Gautam claimed. "What the people will felicitate the king for?" Gautam asked.

The civic felicitation programme is an intention of the king to invite a state of confrontation with the parties by showing off the mass, he said, also warning that the reaction to this event would be costly for the king.

"We are still honouring the king and requesting him humbly to respect the constitution and rectify the errors he made," Gautam said. "But contrary to our request, the king is denying to follow the constitution and has invited the unnecessary confrontation."

Gautam, however, ruled out that the exploration of the solution is beyond the constitutional parameters, claiming as it was the constitutional error made by the king and it should be solved from within the constitutional frameworks.

He also warned the king of a joint movement from all the parties representing in the dissolved House of Representatives (HoR) if the king declines to correct his mistakes. "We may have different opinion till now but if we declare the conclusive movement against the king’s move, there would be a single voice among us."

He urged the government to create an atmosphere for talks with the rebels and said the government had no option but to accept the Maoists’ pre-conditions to bring them into table for talks.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Physical Planning and Works, Narayan Singh Pun, said homework for making an atmosphere for talks is going on intensively in the cabinet.

Pun said the government could not hold talks officially with the terrorist-declared Maoists if it was to follow the international norms.

"But we are assessing the previous government’s decision of labelling the Maoists as a terrorist outfit, and mulling on whether to revoke the decision or not."

Sushil Koirala, general secretary of Nepali Congress, in a similar vein with Gautam, said a minimum consensus among the parties was essential to bring the present problems to an end.

But he insisted on the reinstatement of the dissolved HoR in order to function as an authentic forum for the desired consensus.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s central committee member, Khem Raj Pandit, said there was a vital need for making consensus among the parties before any effort for national consensus was made.

An active and absolute monarchy in the 21st century cannot accommodate the people’s views and solve the problems alone.

Navaraj Subedi, the general secretary of People’s Front, Nepal stressed the need for a new initiation of the constitution formulation process claiming that the present constitution would not be able to ensure sovereignty in the people due to perpetual threat of the use of Article 127 of the constitution.

"Even the new parliament and majority government could be dissolved unless the a new constitution is made."

The new process should start from making of an interim government and constituent assembly elections, " Subedi said.

Mukti Nath Mandal, the spokesman of Nepal Sadbhavana Party, said the state of confrontation could not help solve the present problems and urged for minimum consensus among the political parties to end the crisis. "If the Maoists are sincerely willing for talks, it should be cashed in close cooperation of all the parties abiding by the constitution."

CIAA detains Kantipur MD
CIAA hand in glove: Sirohiya

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KATHMANDU, Dec 23:The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) today framed up Kailash Sirohiya, Managing Director of the Kantipur Publications (Pvt.) Ltd., in connection with the granting of licence for terrestrial television to the Kantipur Television and sent him into the police custody.

The CIAA produced Sirohiya in the Office of the Registrar of the Special Court barely a couple of minutes before the office hour was over. As the Registrar refused to entertain the case today with instruction to come before the court on time tomorrow, the CIAA decided to send Sirohiya to the police custody.

Sirohiya had been asked to appear before the commission five times so far and except during the first appearance, he was never been interrogated. Sirohiya was asked to appear in the commission today and was made to wait for nearly two hours, before he was taken to the court just before it was going to rise for the day.

Talking to reporters from the custody, Sirohiya said, "The Kantipur deals with the government in procuring the TV licence were transparent and it fully confirmed with the rules and law on the subject."

"The act of CIAA was influenced by vested interests, who have never been able to fathom Kantipur’s growth as a professional media house," he said, adding, "We will fight to the last and hope to be vindicated by the court."

Former Minister for Information and Communications, Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta, who is central in the TV licence case, was also brought to the Special Court after the judges had already left the court premises. The CIAA had been asked by the court to produce Gupta well in time in the court today.

It was during Gupta’s tenure that the government gave broadcast licence to Kantipur Television. CIAA says that the Ministry improperly returned the bid bond to the promoters of the television station. But, Sirohiya denied the charges against him and said the CIAA action signals an attempt to muzzle the free press. He also said that his detention was unnecessary since he was freely cooperating with the investigation by arriving to the CIAA whenever summoned.

Even JP Gupta who was taken at the Special Court today said there was no impropriety involved.

"Everything was done as per the law," Gupta said at the court premises where the CIAA had brought him to file its charge-sheet. But the charge-sheet could not be filed even today as the CIAA "intentionally" took him to the court late. And, the CIAA is expected to file charge-sheets against Gupta and former minister Khum Bahadur Khadka tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Binod Raj Gyawali, Director of both Kantipur Publications and Kantipur Television, issued a statement today denouncing the CIAA detention of Sirohiya.

"CIAA, in connivance with vested interests angered by an independent and free press, has indicated its involvement in throttling free and professional journalism by taking action against Kantipur Publications," Gyawali said.

Gyawali also indicated that the CIAA had malicious intentions since it took Sirohiya to court at about 4 pm just when the court was closing down for the day.

Kantipur Publications has been facing the challenges like conspiratorial arrest and threats from different sections while promoting free and professional journalism. "However, the publications expects judicious decision from the esteemed court," Gyawali’s statement said.

The Publications has appealed for co-operation, moral support and affection from its esteemed readers and well-wishers as it battles the designs of some vested persons.

Thapa appointed IGP

KATHMANDU, Dec 23 (PR)- Acting Inspector General of Police Shyam Bhakta Thapa has been confirmed to the post of Inspector General of Police (IGP). Thapa would be succeeding Pradeep SJB Rana who retires as the IGP on December 29. A cabinet meeting today also decided to promote Rajendra Bahadur Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Procurement), to the rank of the Additional IGP, establishing his seniority next in line as IGP, when Thapa retires.

AI concerned over threats to victims

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KATHMANDU, Dec 23:The Amnesty International (AI) today expressed serious concern at the report of victims and their relatives, who have figured in the latest AI report, receiving threats to their lives ostensibly from members of the security forces.

"AI is gravely concerned that the families of the human rights victims named in its recent report, Nepal: A Deepening Human Rights Crisis published on December 19, are subjected to threats to their lives and other reprisals," the statement said. The statement further said that the organisation is closely watching the situation of the individuals named in the report, including family members of the victims.

"The Nepalese authorities should assume full responsibility to ensure the protection and safety of the victims and witnesses in all cases of alleged human rights abuses and violation," the statement further said.

Among others, the report had claimed that army and armed police subject detainees to inhuman form of torture and rapes. In fact, AI had in early November submitted 57 such cases, including repeated rapes of Tarnum and Tabsum in army barrack inside the Royal Bardiya National Park. The reason cited for their arrest was disappearance of their close relative Masgit Maniyar.

Although the army had promised investigation into incidents of torture and rapes reported from other parts of the country too, the AI had not been informed of any such cases whereby anyone who might have been found guilty of abusing the authority might have been punished.

‘China wants to cultivate ties with SAARC’

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KATHMANDU, Dec 23:Former secretary general of SAARC Abul Ahsan today pointed out at appreciable change in socio-economic potential of the South Asian region once it is linked to China in due course of time.

While presenting a paper at a seminar organised by China Study Centre on inter-relationship between the SAARC and China, Ahsan referred to Greater Mekong River Sub-Regional Projects (GMSP), Kuming- Laos, Kuming-Myanmar Road, Trans-Asian Highway and Railway as the harbinger of possible socio-economic changes. He also referred to efforts aimed at reopening the Silk Route.

"Since China is emerging as an economic powerhouse, SAARC would do well to reach out," Ahsan said, going back to its charter which promises economic prosperity. He also stressed the need on the part of the SAARC to undertake a common project of regional significance.

Moreover, Ahsan called upon SAARC nations to "change" and "open up" and take to free trade at their earliest overcoming the "sensitivities" of the region.

Another former secretary general Yadav Kant Silwal suggested linking the interests of the nations in a productive way in the wake of the "very slow speed at which SAARC is moving ahead contrary to initial expectations."

He also referred to the very low level of trade among SAARC nations and called for "concerted efforts" to boost trade and investment. Trade among SAARC nations is less than 5 percent although the collective population is near 1.4 billion, with 550 million below the poverty line. Like Ahsan, Silwal, too, issued a call to private sector in the task of materialising links between nations.

Former foreign secretary of Pakistan Niaz Naik said that SAARC could not make much headway because " it is for the most of the time embroiled in bilateral issues." He also said that the things have aggravated after September 11, 2001, a view he shared with an Indian professor Manoranjan Mohanty.

Significantly, he also referred to the limiting clauses of the SAARC Charter which, among others, lay down that all the seven must be present at the summit. Additional deterrents include decisions arrived at the summits must be unanimous and exclusion of nagging bilateral issues.

Niaz also said that the area of cooperation are largely peripheral and does not include trade, joint ventures, investment and harmonisation of fiscal and social policies.

"This has ruled out economic dynamism as evident in South East Asia and other region," he said, referring to the disparity in trade vis-à-vis Asia and South Asia. While the rest of the Asian nations collectively boosted the trade by 180 percent between 1970 and 1990, South Asian share declined by 25 percent.

He also said that asymmetry of South Asian region and power wielded by India has worked to ensure the status quo and its dominance in the region. Very slow pace at which SAPTA is moving is only an indication.

Coming around economic benefits issuing out of development of China, he said that countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan could benefit as the economic transformation takes place in Western China.

Niaz also said that potentials lie in China forming sub-regional grouping with Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, reminding that Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of China could be parts of such groupings with India, Bangladesh and Myanmar as members any time.

Betram Bastiampillai, a Sri Lankan university professor, referred to the trend whereby China has established contacts with regional groupings from around the world and said, " It illustrates the practicability of South-South cooperation materialising."

He also argued that any relation between China and SAARC would go a long way in building confidence and "prospects appear propitiously good for China if it is enticed into the SAARC."

M A Jiali, a Chinese research professor, drawing heavily from the report presented at the National Congress of the Communist Party of China said, " China hopes to develop good economic relations with South Asian countries and SAARC."

Jiali, however, hastened on to add that SAARC was moving at a tardy pace and that internal cooperation was non-existent. He also referred to low level of intra-regional trade and suspicion about China’s role in a certain capital should it cultivate working relationship.

Change in valley police structure suggested

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KATHMANDU, Dec 23:Safer Valley Programme, a comprehensive security management plan for the Kathmandu Valley, has suggested the government to include a layer in the existing police structure in the valley in view of growing criminal activities and terrorism-related incidents in the valley in the recent years.

According to the programme, there will be sector police offices, which will directly monitor the activities of the existing ward, area police offices and police beats in three districts - Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. At present under the Valley Police Office, three district police offices and under these district offices 30 ward and area police offices and 35 police beats are working to ensure security in the three districts.

Safer Valley Programme is a five-year security management plan for the valley recently prepared by Shankarraj Rajbhandari, former Director of Nepal Administrative Teaching Academy, Dr. Teknath Dhakal of Public Administration College, Rajan Panta of Wave Park, Deputy Inspector Generals of Police Amar Singh Shah and Rabikant Aryal.

The plan, which is under the consideration of Home Ministry for final approval, proposes four sector police offices in Kathmandu and two each in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. According to Dr. Tek Nath Dhakal, the change in the existing police mechanism in the valley was suggested to avoid the big gap between district police offices and police offices under it in the valley, which has affected greatly the security delivery in the valley.

"We have suggested to include a new layer in the existing police structure in the valley so as to discourage growing criminal activities and terrorism-related incidents in the valley," Dhakal told The Kathmandu Post.

The programme has advised the government to make arrangements for more police force so as each policeman will provide security to 300 people in the three districts. At present one policeman has responsibility of providing security to 526 people. Nearly 6,000 policemen are working in the valley.

Safer Valley Programme has identified proper safety to the lives of diplomatic circle in Kathmandu, tourism industry, INGOs and NGOs as major challenges related to security in the valley.

Domestic violence impacting RH complications in women

By Sudha Shrestha

KATHMANDU, Dec23:Sita Maharjan (name changed), was frequently battered by her husband when she failed to provide a son even after four deliveries. This was additional psychological and physical pressure on the 28-year-old who has already given birth to four daughters. The torture, against her, intensified after his own sister-in-law gave birth to a son.

Physically and psychologically abused, Sita suffered from pelvic inflammatory disease (PAD), which doctors say causes acute damage to reproductive health (RH) and could lead to infertility. But thanks to Phect-Nepal’s clinic in Kirtipur where she is receiving treatment.

Meena Maharjan (name changed), an STD (sexually transmitted disease) infected woman, frequently visits the clinic for check up. Infected by her husband, she has not revealed the identity of the husband out of fear and shame, and continues to protect him with a casual attitude.

There are many Nepalese women along the fringes of Kathmandu, enduring domestic agony that are costing them their lives. The majority of these women almost lose their rights over their own bodies once they are married. Various socio-cultural, socio-economic, religious-cultural and political factors have been influencing women’s reproductive health concerns.

According to the Project Director of Community-based Reproductive Health Care and Counselling Centre, Dr. Tara Maiya Shakya, most women in Kritipur suffer from uterine prolapse and anaemia.

"As the majority of women here work in the field and their homes day-in and day-out, they hardly find time to take care of their health. Lack of good nutrition and proper care in the family is having a negative impact on the health, including reproductive health of housewives," says Dr. Shakya who has been involved with outreach programme in Phect-Nepal’s clinic in Kirtipur for four years.

"Most women visiting the clinic for treatment hesitate to tell us about their domestic affairs. It is only through health counselling that we find out their real problem ensuing from domestic conflict," she further added.

Domestic violence encompasses all violence inflicted on housewives, emanating from economic, physical, psychological and sexual reasons, that cut across caste and creed.

In the study conducted by WOREC on 60 women in some VDCs of Udayapur and Kirtipur municipality, 50 percent women were found to have experienced unwanted sex in marriage. Many experience violence right from the very day of their wedding.

Almost 83 percent of women were found to be victims of physical violence, while psychological violence was related to factors of meagre dowry, economic dependence on husband and strong son-preference.

"Most women suffering physical violence tend to suffer psychologically too, leading to a negative impact on health," said Upma Malla, a programme co-ordinator, who conducted the study.

In her study, she found that 95 percent of women went through emotional problems like helplessness, fear and worry; while 57 percent realised the negative impact of both physical and psychological violence on their health including reproductive health.

Meanwhile, in findings of a research conducted by WOREC in 1998, out of 1792 cases registered in 2001, 950 women (53%) were found suffering from two or more health problems.

Quite a large percentage of women suffered from such problems as uterus prolapse, white discharge, backache, cervical erosion, LAP (lower abdominal pain) and menstrual disorder. Other common health problems of rural women in Udayapur and Nuwakot included unspecified vaginitis, burning urination, gastritis etc..

Phect-Nepal’s clinic in Kirtipur has been dealing with reproductive health of the local women. Funded by EU/UNFPA, the project involves all family planning services including male, legal and medical counselling.

"We’ve come to understand just how important it is to take into account the legal rights of women, when dealing with reproductive health," said Dr. Shakya.

"For the first time, an interconnection between legal rights and reproductive rights of women, has been identified. However, since the male is a prime agent when it comes to reproductive health of women, it is important for males to get involved in this matter," said Dr. Shakya adding that an awareness programme and counselling at a massive level is needed.

Dr. Binayak Prasad Rajbhandari of WOREC observed that increasing their access to information and health service is highly imperative. "I think we should deal with the women’s problem holistically," he said. It is now being increasingly realised, that many of our development programmes fail to recognise and address problems from the woman’s perspective.