Role of ICC in protecting HR stressed

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KATHMANDU, May 15 : The International Criminal Court (ICC) which comes into force shortly has provisions that a government can use force to a certain extent to protect its citizen.

It was disclosed by international experts at Meet the Press Programme organised by Coalition for International Criminal Court (CICC). Speaking on the occasion, Joanne Lee, an Australian lawyer, said, "A government can use all legitimate means to protect its citizens."

CICC lobby tour member from Nepali side Subodh Raj Pyakurel said that the major purpose of the ICC is to protect people from mass scale violation of Human Rights like genocide. "Lots of people have been killed in genocides in different parts of the world after World War II. But the culprits are enjoying impunity," said Pyakurel, adding, "ICC wants to bring such culprits into the net of justice."

Pyakurel is also the General Secretary of Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC)

Asked about the plans of the governments to ratify ICC, David Mattas, another member of CICC team, said it was very positive. Responding to queries about the relation between ICC and the International

Court of Justice (ICJ), the experts said, they will be functioning as complementary to each other for the common goal of justice.

Parties rule out emergency extension

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KATHMANDU, May 15 : Leaders of political parties today ruled out their partys’ support to the extension of emergency, saying the government has no solid reasons for the extension.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony of 20th session of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) today, leader of the main opposition and General Secretary of CPN (UML), Madhav Kumar Nepal said his party was not accepting any move of the government to extend the state of emergency for the next six-month term. He said there were rising voices in the party against the support to extension.

The six-month state of emergency expires on May 24.

He further said that the UML has supported and would continue to support the government’s efforts against violence and murder. He however suggested the government not to believe that extension of the state of emergency was the only way to muster national and international support.

Similarly, deputy leader of the main opposition party in the parliament, CPN(UML), KP Sharma Oli ruled out the possibility of extension of emergency for next six months term.

Speaking at a separate talk programme in the capital today, Oli said that the UML was not going to assist the government in extending the state of emergency nor would it support to re-impose the emergency.

"There is far less possibility of introducing extension proposal in the parliament and the government too has not showed intention to extend it," said Oli, adding, "There might be conspiracy to re-impose it but our party will see it does not happen."

Speaking in a similar vein, Central Working Committee (CWC) member of the ruling Nepali Congress party, Narahari Acharya said that there was no possibility of extension of emergency since the government has not exercised the matter yet.

He also suggested all the parties abiding by the Constitution point out the sphere of "progressive reforms programmes" and called the Maoists for their active participation. "Maoists must agree to the programme if they think they are sensitive towards nation," he said.

Leaders of other parties, namely, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Lilamani Pokharel of United People’s Front (UPF), Narayan Man Bijukchhe of Nepal Workers and Peasants’ Party (NWPP) and Navaraj Subedi of National People’s Front (NPF) warned of foreign interference in the internal matters of the country.

Pedophile sentenced to 8-year jail term

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KATHMANDU, May 15 : The Kathmandu District Court Thursday passed an 8 years jail sentence to a school principal convicting him of raping his 9-year old girl student.

The bench of judge Dr. Ananda Mohan Bhattarai passed the judgement in accordance with No. 3 of Chapter on Rape of National Code and Clause 49(2) of Children’s Act, 2048. The rapist Shri Upreti was principal of a school in Basundhara, Kathmandu where the two grader victim was admitted in the school hostel four years ago.

The father of the victim, an Indian armyman resident of Dailekh district, had left the girl under the guardianship of her uncle. She used to visit her uncle and aunt on holidays and vacations. According to the source, the perpetrator had started abusing her on Poush of 2056 ( some 17 months ago).

Once she had come to her uncle, she defied returning back to school saying, " I will rather die than going to the school." When persuaded, she explained the whole story how she was raped. She repeated the same contentions in the court too. She was rushed to the Thapathali hospital immediately after her statement. The hospital has also verified some evidences of rape. The accused who had accepted in the police custody, later denied the allegation at the court.

It is also known that the court had made the decision on the condition not to make it public considering the effects to be exerted to the girl. Concerned lawyers say it would be a perpetual harassment to the girl if such reports are carried on the media with her real name. The Children’s Act of Nepal also provides that such cases could be reported to media only on the consent of the official who has looked upon the case.

Upreti ,33, father of two children used to rape the girl child repeatedly whenever he got a chance.

Journalists leave for India

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KATHMANDU, May 15 : Ajaya Dixit and Dipak Gyawali, editors of Water Nepal have left for Patna, India today to participate in a discussion programme entitled ‘Future of Rivers’ organised by Bihar Legislative Assembly’s Environment Committee and Nadi Wapasi Campaign..

The discussion is going to focus India’s New Water Policy, states a press release issued here today by Nepal Water Conservation Foundation

Other participants of the discussion programme are Magasasay award winner Rajendra Singh, Convenor of Flood Liberation Movement Dinesh Kumar Mishra, Socio-economist Sashi Bhushan and Social activists Anil Prakash and Vijaya Kumar.

Dixit and Gyawali will participate as chief guests of the completion ceremony at Darbhanga of the water management awareness walk on 17th may in South Bihar, states the release.

Koirala pays tribute to late activist

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KATHMANDU, May 15 : Chairman of Nepali Congress (NC) Girija Prasad Koirala today paid last tributes to NC activist Madhav Bam Malla who was killed brutally by the Maoists Tuesday evening.

According to a NC press release, the party has paid tribute to Malla at Aryaghat and also condemned the attack.

Koirala said that Malla’s murder was an episode of a well-designed conspiracy to weaken democracy.

"NC demands the government to take strong action against those brutal murderers," the release adds.

Malla is the niece of Thirbam Malla, the first martyr of the people’s revolution of 1951 and grandson of veteran NC leader Bharat Bam Malla.

Primary teacher’s training programme commences

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KATHMANDU, May 15 : In a bid to produce quality teachers to raise the quality of education, Kathmandu University (KU), Rato Bangala School and a New York-based Bank Street College jointly launched a one-year primary teacher training programme here Wednesday.

About 18 ‘student teachers’ from the private and public schools in the Capital will take part during the training. The senior teachers will closely examine and monitor the work of student teachers.

The training is intended to benefit some 14 thousand students in the Kathamandu valley, participants said.

Inaugurating the training, Dr Suresh Raj Sharma, Vice Chancellor of KU highlighted the current status of Nepali school education. He said that the public schools are falling far-behind the private schools in providing quality education. He, however, hoped that with the initiation of the private sector, those challenges would be overcome.

"We are trying to do something different from what the government has been doing in the last 40 years," Dean of KU, Dr Kedar Nath Shrestha told the trainees.

Giving an overview of the programme, Shanta Dixit, Director of Rato Bangala School, said that the training has the potential to influence about 14 thousand students. "Altogether 18 public and private schools are cooperating in this programme," she added.

With the exception of two government schools, namely Patan High School and Madan Smarak Madhyamik Vidyalaya, all other participants are private schools including Alka Lower Secondary School, Adarsha Vidya Mandir, Bhanu Bhakta Memorial, DAV Sushil Kedia, St. Xavier’s School.

The British School, Lincoln School and Rato Bangala are selected as demonstration schools.

Interaction on child right

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KATHMANDU, May 15 : An interaction programme on implementation of child rights act was organised here today.

At the programme orgainsed by Legal Aid and Consultancy Centre (LACC), participants discussed on various problems facing by children. They highlighted the situation of the children in the country.

"We discussed on how to investigate the children’s issues, how to bring the criminals behind the bars and how to rescue the children working in critical conditions," said Shanta Thapaliya, the chairperson of LACC, adding "Rehabilitating them and raising their social status are other challenges for us,"

Representatives from various NGOs working for children, police and civilians were present in the progamme.

Student union condemns University attack

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KATHMANDU, May 15 : Federation of Free Students Union has condemned the Maoist attack on the only Sanskrit University, Mahendra Sanskrit University, Dang. In a bid to paralyse the education system of Nepal, the Maoist rebels destroyed Saturday some of rare and invaluable Sanskrit manuscripts along with the University building.

Issuing a press statement, the Federation appealed Maoists to stop such destructive acts. The attack on the University, only one of its kind established for the upliftment of Sanskrit language, has revealed the malicious character of the Maoists, the release states.

Book on Nepal-India relations

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KATHMANDU, May 15 : Speaker of the House of Representatives today said that all the political parties, leaders and civilians should come to a consensus to deal with any part of our multi-facious relation with India.

He was speaking during the release of ‘Nepal-India Relation’, a book of historic documents, by Keshav Prasad Bhattarai, on relation of the two countries. "We will never be defeated, cheated and dominated if we are united at least in the national issue," he said.

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs Shailendra Kumar Upadhyaya released the book. Upadhyaya said that Nepal should first define the topics of national interest before dealing them. "Nepal’s major national interest is prosperity and development of power. We must learn from the history to make path for future strategies," he said.

Prof Hiranyalal Shrestha said terrorism will not be eradicated from Nepal until India supports us. "Terrorism has become a common agenda for both the countries and only a regulated border can provide assistance to both of them in this regard," he said.

Shrestha said that the flow of Nepalese could mean nothing in the vast country of India but the same number of Indian in Nepal can any time turn Nepalese into minority. "This has become a silent non-military threat for the interest of Nepal and we must break the present demographic flow," he added.

The author, Keshav Prasad Bhattarai, said Nepal-India relation should be observed remaining indifferent to political prejudice and baseless rumours. "The coldness in the relation has been result of rumours and unprepared speeches by the leaders. A thorough study of the historic treaties will clear all the confusions," he said. The 200-plus-page book contains Nepali translations of scores documents from 1796 to 1996.

Bal Krisna Sama drama festival concludes

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KATHMANDU, May 15 : The Bal Krishna Sama Annual National Drama Festival 2059 ended here today. The three-day- festival covered eleven masterpieces of Bal Krishna Sama, renowned as the drama king of Nepal.

Ten of the dramas were put under a competition by Royal Nepal Academy (RNA). Those coming under competition were "Prahlad", "U Mareki Chhaina", "Talamathi", "Ma", "Motiram", "Boksini", "Buhartan", "Andhabeg", "Amit Basana" and "Mutuko Byatha". Different groups from around Nepal enacted these dramas.

The eleventh and out-of-competition drama was "Prem", which was performed by the National Studio of Film Training. The play depicted the patriotism of Nepalese people.

Kishore Anurag bagged the best director award for "Mutu Ko Byatha". Similarly, Kailash Karki and Kamal Gurung won the best actor and best actress awards respectively.

At the end of the festival, the awards were presented to the winners by Mohan Koirala, vice-chancellor of RNA. Each of the three awards carried a purse of NRs. 15 thousand.

"I feel proud to receive this award" said Anurag, adding "To be honoured as the best director is an achievement I will remember for my lifetime". In the year 2057, Anurag had received the Best Actor Award in similar festival.

The best actor winner Karki, also for "Muto Ko Byatha", exclaimed, "This is my first award and I cannot express my happiness." The drama, "Mutu Ko Byatha", is one of the very best works of drama maestro Bal Krishna Sama. It depicts a tragic love story of a husband and wife.

The best actress award was given for the drama "U Mareki Chhaina".

Scared Maoist supporters fleeing homes

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KAPILVASTU, May 15 : A large number of Maoist supporters and sympathisers have fled their homes scared of being used as human shields by their leaders. The only reason behind their fleeing their villages is that they could be used as human shields while fighting with the government’s security forces.

"Rebel leaders have sent letters to us calling on joining the insurgency. But we are afraid that they might use us as human shields," said a youth of Bandganga Village Development Committee (VDC), who did not want to be named.

Netra Giri, Chairman of the Motipur VDC, said that some eight to 10 youths from his VDC had asked him to write recommendation letters so that they could get seasonal employment in India until the end of the emergency in the country.

Since the imposition of the state of emergency, Indian police have been preventing
Nepali nationals from entering into India without possessing official papers provided by their concerned VDC.

A large number of youths from the northern parts of the district are believed to have applied to their VDCs for receiving recommendation letters owing to the Maoist insistence on joining the guerrilla warfare.

Many Maoist supporters and sympathisers had been staying at home and leading a peaceful life since the declaration of the emergency five months ago. Sources at the northern Bandganga VDC said that over 100 youths have already obtained VDC’s recommendations for temporary migration to India, mainly because of insecurity in their villages.

In addition, more youths have also applied to the district administration office for passports as compared to the previous years. Officials at the district administration office said less than a dozen people used to apply for the passport in the past a day, whereas the number of people seeking passports during this year has shot up three times a day since the beginning of the emergency.

Khumbha Mela concludes

RSS

BIRATNAGAR, May 15 : The first grand Pindeswor Kumbha Mahotsav (festival) of the Kingdom of Nepal came to an end at Barahachhetra of Sunsari district here yesterday.

At a concluding function organised at Barahachhetra yesterday, Minister for Water Resources Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar said His Majesty’s Government will provide assistance as far as possible for the combined development of Barahachhetra and Chataradham, which are the pilgrimages for the Hindu devotees.

He also appreciated Shri 108 Balasanta Mohansharan Devacharya Maharaj for the successful completion of the Mahotsav under his initiative. Chairman of the Sanatana Dharma Sewa Samiti Mukunda Sharan Upadhyaya said the Kumbha Mahotsav organised at Sunsari is an important historic event in the nation.

Santashiromani Khem Raj Keshav Sharan pointed out the need to declare the whole of Barahachhetra Village Development Committee (VDC) as a religious site.

From the chair, Sri 108 Balasanta Mohansharan Devacharya thanked all cooperating in the successful completion of the Mahotsav and honoured dignified personalities, Santas and Mahantas coming from various parts of Nepal and India by wrapping shawls around them.

On the occasion, Member of Parliament Kunta Sharma and Barahachhetra VDC Chairman Dal Bahadur Poudel also expressed their views.

Secretary of the Cultural Sub-committee of the Mahotsav Main Organising Committee Bhesh Raj Ghimire said the month-long Mahotsav which began on April 14 was visited by about one million devotees from Nepal and India who had taken holy baths of Kumbha at the Saptakaushiki.

Woman tempo drivers soon to be seen in Bharatpur

By Prabhakar Ghimire

CHITWAN, May 15 : Compelled by poverty, a dozen of females in Chitwan district have come forward to adopt tempo driving as their profession. At present, Bharatpur municipality is training these females in cooperation with Martin Chautari and they will drive eco-friendly non-polluting tempos within the municipality within a week.

The women from downtrodden society are gladly expecting to embrace the new profession. The Municipality will provide them the vehicles which they have to buy in installment. However, the payment system worries them as they find it a difficult one for them.

Each woman driver has to pay Rs. 25,000 to the municipality as the first installment for the vehicle and the rest will be charged to them in small monthly installment, according to municipality source.

The women are requesting the municipality to make arragement of paying the whole money in montly installment. According to municipality, 8 of them will start driving as a driver and owner of the vehicle.

"Though the municipality is unable to evict the polluting tempos immediately, we are trying to increase the number of eco-friendly tempos which shall slowly displace them," Anil Wagle, the Chief at Social Welfare Section at the municipality said. "The women are very much optimistic and enthusiastic to their new profession. They have already acquired licence and shall start driving within two to three days."

These women drivers aged between 20 to 44 years are taking conclusion classes of driving after completing two months long training in Kathmandu and Narayangadh. "We also hope that the women’s endeavour in preserving environment will encourage others," said Wagley.

Rita Dhital, the youngest woman in training aged 20, of Krishnapur of Bharatpur Municipality-7 believes that the profession will be a challenge to the men. The eldest Ramshree Tamang, 44, said that she was attracted to driving due to good earning in this. "I thought driving is better than the running a small local teashop," said Tamang.

The eco-friendly tempos are expected to aware people about the environment conservation. The municipality hopes to increase the living standard of the people through the participation of women in these types of programmes.

Peace rally to be organised

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DAMAULI, May 15 : As an urge for peace and to end the violence being carried on the country due to the Maoists’ insurgency, Tanahun district committee of Nepal Tarun Dal has decided to organise a peace rally along with a cultural programme here on next Friday.

The sister organisation of ruling Nepali Congress has pointed out the Maoist rebels to be responsible for the present situation of bloodbath in the country. The Maoists called people’s war has forced many youngsters of the nation to fly abroad, thus peace has become a must, said the organisation.

Peace rally, a convention and district level competition on Kaura dance, the oldest cultural dance popular throughout the western region, will be organised, according to the oragnisation. Around ten groups from the district are participating in the dance competition, said the organisers.

Twelve Maoists surrender

RSS

CHAUTARA, May 15 : Twelve persons in different posts of the so-called village people’s government of the Maoist terrorist organisation have surrendered before the local District Administration on Monday, vowing to lead a normal life within the framework of the present constitution.

According to the District Administration Office of Sindhupalchowk, so far altogether 197 persons associated with the terrorist organisation have given themselves up to the local administration since April 29.

The number of those surrendering to the local authorities has reached to 533 ever since the imposition of the state of emergency in the country.

Development plan formulation workshop held

RSS

HETAUDA, May 15 : The periodic development plan formulation and consensus building workshop organised by Makawanpur District Development Committee (DDC) was held here.

Speaking on the occasion Member of Paliament (MP) Krishna Prasad Dahal said that all the political parties should reach a consensus on selecting poverty alleviation, drinking water, health, road, irrigation, school infrastructure, religion and culture uplift and income generation programmes while formulating periodic development programmes for the next five years.

DDC Chairman Rameswore Rana and DDC Vice-Chairman Badri Prasad Lamsal expressed the view that poverty alleviation, uplift of the backward communities and effective development works could be carried out in the district through proper coordination and understanding between the National Planning Commission and His Majesty’s Government.

Member of the Nepali Congress district committee Ram Prasad Dahal, Secretary of the CPN-UML district committee Raghunath Dulal, RPP district secretary Navaraj Bista, NSP Vice-president Kajiman Lama, planning expert Dr. Govinda Prasad Koirala and Gangalal Tuladhar had expressed their views at the workshop.

The two-day workshop was attended by 285 persons including MPs, office bearers of the DDC, the heads of government offices, the Chief District Officer, intellectuals, the representatives of the backward communities and non-governmental organisations, social workers, teachers and journalists of the district.

Meanwhile, a 35-member steering committee has been constituted under DDC chairman Rameswore Rana to create an atmosphere of consensus in the district for formulation of periodic development programmes.

Chief District Officer Dipak Kumar Joshi, local development officer Rameshkant Poudel,
social worker Tulsi Thapa, Dr. Rishi Adhikari, the office-bearers of the political parties, the DDC members and the heads of district offices are members of the steering committee.

Salyan Hospital in short of adequate doctors

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SALYAN, May 15 : The district populace is deprived of proper health service as the Salyan District Hospital is affected by the lack of enough manpower. The modern equipment in the hospital lie unused
because of the lack of trained persons to operate those machines and the people of the district have to go to other district for the treatment that could have been availed here.

The hospital which was established five years ago has the provision for three doctors but only one doctor is serving here at a time since its establishment, said the hospital. The patients sometime has to pass through the serious situation if the doctor remain absent for a day due to some work.

"Perhaps other doctors do not want to join this hospital as it is in remore place," said Dr. Sagar Rajbhandari, the only doctor at the hospital. According to Rajbhandari, one doctor posted in the hospital resigned without showing up at the hospital and the other named Dr. Lubeshwor Acharya is on study leave.

"Duty is tough here as I am the only doctor responsible for treatment of the patients coming in the hospital," says Dr. Rajbhandari.

Locals claimed that many patients had already lost their lives due to the lack of doctors in the hospital while Dr. Rajbhandari said that the locals should work together with the high profile personalities of the district to bring in doctors in the hospital.

Mother appeals for Maoist abducted teacher’s release

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Kathmandu, May 15 : A mother has issued a press release after her son was taken away by Maoist rebels on Sunday appealing the rebels for the immediate release of her son here today.

Narayan Prasad Subedi, the son of late Khadananda Subedi who established the first school in the district, was abducted and taken away by the rebels from his house, stated the press release. Subedi was General Secretary of Nepal Red Cross Society of Rolpa district and Chairman of Nepal Teachers’ Organisation.

The press release stated that Subedi has done nothing inhuman throughout his life and was following the way paved by his father. Jaya Kumari Subedi, 73, of Gajul of Rolpa stated that the abduction has terrorised the family members.

She has appealed for the immediate release of her son under humanitarian condition. The release also appeals for the concerned organisations to work for the immediate release of the abducted.

Books distributed

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NAWALPARASI, May 15 : More than 2,300 new books were distributed free of cost to 16 schools in Nawalparasi district here on Tuesday. The books were made available by Temple Tiger Trust based in the United States.

The books will be used as the reference books by the students from grade one to 12 in government and private schools.

According to the trust, the total cost of the books comes around Rs. 150,000. The books on English, mathematics and social studies have been distributed to all schools having library facilities for students.

The Temple Tiger Resort, situated near the banks of the Narayani River in Royal Chitwan National Park, handed over the books at a ceremony held in the Janta Higher Secondary School.

Scarcity of textbooks

DHANKUTA, May 15 (PR) - Though one month of the new academic session has already passed, students of grade six in Dhankuta and neighbouring district have not received their textbooks yet. Hundreds of parents and the students are visiting the district headquarters to buy textbooks hiking for weeks from the remote areas of the hilly district daily but they have to return empty handed, said the concerned sources here.The textbooks have been revised so the students are not using the old books. Students not having textbooks in time is likely to have a long term effect in their studies, said Uddhab Bista, the Chief at District Education Office. Sajha Publication, the distributor of textbooks Dhankuta, Terhathum and Bhojpur districts said that there is demand of more than 4,000 sets of textbooks, but it has received less than 2,000 sets till the date.

Theft in schools

DAMAULI, May 15 (PR) - Some unidentified persons broke into the offices of two schools in Tanahun district and looted the belongings on Monday night. The theives broke into through office door of Akala Primary School at Manpang VDC and burnt two cupboards. They made off with a keyboard, a bank chequebook and other belongings, concerned sources said. Meanwhile another group broke into the office of Mahendra Secondary School at Gunadi at Jamune VDC. The group stole a watch, a calculator and a radio from the office, a teacher at the school said.

Agriculture census begins

GORKHA, May 15 (RSS) - Agriculture census is being taken at 11,542 households of 80 wards in 46 Village Development Committees (VDCs) in Gorkha district from today. The agriculture census, which is held every ten years, has been already conducted in 47 districts of the Kingdom under the first phase. The census is taking place in the remaining 28 districts from today. According to the District Agricultural Development Office, Gorkha, data on land utilisation and land use, area under different crops, the livestock and fowl population and statistics related to fisheries and agriculture forests as well as agriculture inputs, implements and the status of agricultural loans will be collected as part of the agriculture census.

Journal launched

POKHARA, May l5 (RSS) - Vice-chairman of the National Assembly Ramprit Paswan formally launched the journal ‘Utpidit Sandesh’ published by the Nepal Downtrodden Communities Liberation Society of Kaski at a function here today. On the occasion Paswan said the upliftment of the downtrodden will not materialise until reservations are made for them and called for a package programme for the downtrodden living in the rural areas. During the function chaired by District Chairman of the society Krishna Nepali, Central Member Ram Nepali, Intellectuals Council Kaski Chairman Dr Bishwakalyan Parajuli and others also expressed their views.

Linguist felicitated

BIRATNAGAR, May 15 (RSS) - Linguist Prof. Bal Krishna Pokharel was felicitated here amid a function organised by Mahananda Wangmaya Mandir here today on the occasion of the 107th birth anniversary of renowned linguist Mahananda Sapkota. Wrapping a shawl around him, litterateur Dev Kumari Thapa, who was a chief guest at the function, remarked that to honour the renowned figures of the country is laudable work. Litterateur Thapa also gave away prizes to Sima Abhas, Min Kumar Shrestha and Mahesh Marseli who came out first, second and third respectively in a poetry symposium held to mark the birth anniversary of late Sapkota. On the occasion, Prof. Pokharel released a book on children stories entitled ‘Dhartimata’ compiled by Gita Sapkota.

Training for disabled concludes

NEPALGUNJ, May 15 (RSS) -The 10-day long chalk producing training programme organised for the disabled persons by the Bheri Technical Institute and Disabled New Life Centre of Kohalpur concluded here recently. The training programme was attended by 13 disabled persons. Chief District Officer Dhruba Raj Wagle gave away the certificates to the trainees. At the function chaired by President of the Kohalpur Disabled New Life Centre Krishna Gautam, Chief of the Bheri Technical Institute Surya Bahadur Sakha, instructor Bhabuk Jung Thapa, trainees Devidatta Acharya and others called on all to make arrangements for marketing the goods produced by the disabled people. CDO Wagle presented the disabled trainees with dye machines for producing chalks.

Telephone extension plan put off

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NEPALGUNJ, May 15 : Due to the vandalising acts of the Maoist rebels, the scheduled programme of distributing around 6,150 telephone lines in mid-western region has been cancelled.

The Maoists’ attacks on telecommunication infrastructure has deprived millions of people in 12 districts of the region, sources at Nepal Telecommunication Corporation Regional Office (NTC) Nepalgunj said.

The Maoist rebels have already destroyed three telephone exchange based on ‘C Dot’ system, 42 telephone stations based on MARTS system, 63 VHF lines, one VSAT terminal and two repeater towers, according to NTC. Because of these destruction the office is losing around Rs two million a month.

The repair cost of the damaged equipments and tools is estimated to be more than 30 millions. With all the required procedures completed, NTC was all set to provide telephone facilities in Banke, Surkhet, Pyuthan, Dang, Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan, Dolpa and Humla districts. Its plan to distribute 6,150 telephone lines to these districts has been foiled by the rebels

"Following Maoists’ attacks on the infrastructures, NTC has postponed its programmes of expanding telephone lines," Kamod Mani Dikshit, the Regional Manager of NTC said.

Rukum, Rolpa, Jajarkot, Kalikot, Jumla and Dailekh are completely cut off from telecommunication for the last six months following the destruction of repeater towers by the Maosit rebels, the office said.