Sagarmatha hero Babu Chhiri dies in action

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Apr. 30: The fastest Mountain Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) summiteer Babu Chhiri Sherpa died in an accident on the tallest mountain while on his way to conquer the highest peak on the Earth for the 11th time Sunday evening, Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation stated here today.

Babu Chhiri fell into a crevasse 200 metres below from Camp II at an altitude of 6,500 metres, according to the Ministry. "The accident site was discovered eight hours after the mishap. The body of Babu Chhiri has been retrieved and is being brought down for evacuation to Kathmandu by helicopter Tuesday (May 1, 2001) morning at 10:30 a.m."

According to Babu Sherpa of Nomad Expedition, the handling agent of Babu Chhiri’s expedition, more than 20 Sherpas brought down the dead body to base camp this evening. "Babu had gone to take photographs at around four p.m. on Sunday at Camp II," he said. "But it was only at dinner time at around seven p.m. his team members realised that he was still not back."

Sherpa further said that Babu Chhiri, while snapping photographs, had stepped on soft snow that gave way and made him fall on the crevasse.

A professional climber renowned world over, Babu Chhiri set a record on May 21, 2000 by climbing Mt. Sagarmatha and coming back to the base camp in 16 hours 56 minutes. His feat won him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

In yet another recording making event, Sherpa also spent 21 hours atop Mt. Sagarmatha in 1999. The 33-year-old climber had to his credit a chequered career of having reached the summit of Mount Sagarmatha for 10 times in the past.

This time he was leading a three-member team titled "Kathmandu Metropolis Sagarmatha Expedition 2001." Born in Taksindu Village of Solukhumbu District, Babu Chhiri never had a formal climbing training. Literate, he never went to school, though.

A husband of a wife and a father of six daughters, Babu Chhiri first climbed Mount. Sagarmatha in 1990 through the south ridge with a French team. This was the same ridge he had used to reach the pinnacle of Mount. Sagarmatha twice within a week in 1995.

Having started his climbing career when he was only 13, Babu Chhiri made his first successful expedition atop Mera Peak (6,645 metres) in 1988. Ever since he succeeded climbing 14 Mountains including Mount. Sagarmatha (8,848 metres), Kanchanjungha (8,594), Dhaulagiri (8,167 metres), 8,201 metered Choyu (six times), Shishapangma (8,013 metres), and Amadablam (6,812 metres).

Among his 10 successful ascents on Mountain Sagarmatha, the one he did in 1999 was the most remarkable for Babu Chhiri, he had mentioned in his CV. "That was the most remarkable one because I had always craved for setting record of spending the longest time on the highest peak on the Earth."

Babu Chhiri had developed the idea of staying atop Mount Sagarmatha for the longest time in 1990 when he was accompanying an expedition team to the top of the mountain. Mark Wartad, his team leader then, had aimed to stay on the mountain top for eight hours but he could not. "Then I was waiting for him and the team to come back at South Col. Wartad came back less than an hour after he had stayed atop the mountain and I asked him if I could go up. He said okay and I went up alone for the first time."

As an ace climber, Babu Chhiri was decorated with Suprasiddha Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, and other awards like National Talent Award, Outstanding Youth Award, International Sagarmatha Award, Pasang Lhamu Youth Award, among others.

Babu Chhiri had a dream of establishing a school at his village, which did come true. "We did establish the school and he was very happy to see that. He was a very good human being," said Sherpa of Nomad Expeditions – the organisation Sherpa and Babu Chhiri had been running on partnership. "We had even planned to begin one more school."

As his remarkable event in his life, Babu Chhiri used to share an incident about descending Mountain Sagarmatha in 1999. "While descending from the mountain, my staircase went down and I fell 20 metres below in Ice Fall Valley (on Mount Sagarmatha). But I kept myself suspended on a rope. I was carrying a load of 30 kgs that included clothes, sleeping bag, walkie-talkie, used oxygen cylinders, among others. Later, I jettisoned all these goods and climbed up. I was very afraid at that time. But I survived. I was lucky then."

But, this time, he was not.

PM, Oppn leader express condolence

Kathmandu, Apr. 30 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that he is deeply grieved to learn of the untimely death in course of climbing Mt Everest of Babu Tsheri Sherpa, resident of Taksindhu, Solukhumbu district, who set a world record in the history of mountaineering.

In a condolence message today to Mrs Aangfuti Sherpa, wife of the late Sherpa, Mr Koirala has said that the late Sherpa, who spent the longest period of time on top of the world’s highest peak and set a new record in mountaineering by climbing Everest in the shortest ever time, has contributed significantly to enhancing the prestige and dignity of Nepal and the Nepalese people in the world.

Stating that Nepal has lost an adventurous mountaineer in his death, the Prime Minister has extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Likewise, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has expressed profound sorrow at the demise Sunday of Babu Chhiri Sherpa, 35, who had set a world record in mountaineering. He slipped and fell while taking a photograph at the second base camp.

In his statement, Mr Nepal has stated that his courageous feat in reaching the Everest summit in a record 16 hours would be remembered for ever.

In his death, the nation has lost a courageous mountaineer, the CPN-UML General Secretary has said in his statement. He also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and offered sincere tributes.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress central office issued a press release here today expressing profound grief at the untimely demise of Babu Chhiri Sherpa, the mountaineer who set a world record by reaching atop Mt. Everest, the highest peak of the world, ten times.

In the press release, condolence has been extended to the family of the bereaved and tributes paid to the late Sherpa.

Likewise, NC Solukhumbu district committee has also condoled the demise yesterday of Everest summitter Babu Chhiri Sherpa, prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and prayed also for strength to the bereaved in their grief.

Meanwhile, Minister for Local Development Govinda Raj Joshi published a condolence statement here today praying for eternal peace to the soul of Babu Chhiri Sherpa, who had set a world record in mountaineering, and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

A great son of mother Nepal has made a memorable contribution in making Nepal shine in world history and we will never forget him, Joshi has stated adding that in the demise of Sherpa, the country has lost an invaluable asset.

Similarly, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mahadev Gurung has said that the untimely demise of Babu Chhiri Sherpa, a youth mountaineer and world record holder, in course of another bid on the world’s highest mountain Mt. Sagarmatha has caused an irreparable loss not only to Nepal but to world mountaineering.

In a message of condolence today, Mr Gurung has prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and extended heartfelt condolences to members of the bereaved family.

Likewise, the CPN (UML) Valley Coordination Committee Kathmandu, the Democratic National Youth Federation and Sagarmatha Mountaineers Association, in separate press releases issued today, expressed deep sorrow over the untimely death of Babu Chhiri Sherpa who set new records by frequently scaling Mt Everest and prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul.

They have also extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

DPM gives directions to police officers

Kathmandu, Apr. 30 (RSS): A conference of Senior Police Officers organised with the objective of finalising future strategies in connection with mobilisation of the police towards checking terrorist activities in the country concluded here today.

Speaking at the concluding session, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ram Chandra Poudel gave necessary directions to the police officers while Minister of State for Home Affairs Hari Prasad Sapkota and Home Secretary Srikantha Regmi expressed their views on terrrorist activities, problems and their resolution.

IGP Pradip Shumsher JB Rana, Armed Police IGP Krishna Mohan Shrestha, Senior Police Officers in Kathmandu Valley, Chiefs of Regional Police Offices in the five Development Regions and Senior Police Officers of the Armed Police Force took part in the conference.

Regional Police Chiefs presented the strategy and working plan in connection with the state of affairs, the problems in their respective regions and solutions.

Following extensive discussions on the working plan presented by the Senior Police Officers, IGP Rana gave directions for enforcement of the working plan.

German team meets Gurung

Kathmandu, Apr. 30 (RSS): The nine member team from the Federal Republic of Germany concerned with the Parliamentary Committee of Culture and Communications, now on a visit to Nepal, today paid a courtesy call on Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mahadev Gurung at the latter’s office.

On the occasion, Minister of State Gurung expressed gratitude for the cooperation extended by the German Government in the preservation of the Cultural Heritage of Nepal and expressed the hope that cooperation would be received for the preservation of important historic and archaeological heritage in future also.

Team leader Miss Monica Griefahn noted that Germany was interested in extending cooperation in the field of cultural heritage.

Her Majesty gives away letters of commendation

Lalitpur, Apr. 30 (RSS): Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah gave away letters of commendation to various individuals making an important contribution to the development of Gyanodaya Higher Secondary School at a function organised here today to mark the school’s silver jubilee.

Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion also inspected with keen interest the various departments of the school.

At the same function, Her Royal Highness Princess Shobha Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah also presented letters of commendation to various individuals.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Education and Sports Dilendra Prasad Badu said the Education Act-2028 (seventh amendment) presented at Parliament by His Majesty’s Government aims to increase the standard of education through quality-based selection of teachers, training, inspection and monitoring and also to make extensive changes in the existing system of examinations.

Taking into consideration the widespread public complaints over the increasing commercialisation in private and boarding schools, His Majesty’s Government has through the bill made an effort to bring private schools within the legal parameters, he added.

Founding principal of the school Mrs Indira Yakthumba and school management committee Chairman Gopal Bahadur Shahi also expressed their views on the occasion.

Her Majesty graces ceremony

Kathmandu, Apr. 30 (RSS): Her Majesty the Queen graced the rice feeding ceremony of the daughter of Anil Kesari Shah at Tarasadan, Kantipath, today.

Crown Prince in Kyoto

Kathmandu, Apr. 30 (RSS): His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev Sunday left Tokyo for the historic Japanese city of Kyoto.

HRH the Crown Prince was bid farewell in Tokyo by Minister for Science and Technology Surendra Prasad Chaudhari and senior officials of the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

‘May Day heralds movement of workers’

Kathmandu, May 1 (RSS): Leader of the main opposition party and general secretary of the CPN (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that the role of the labour movement which began as an integral part of a political movement has become all the more important and extensive in the present context.

In a message on the occasion of the 112th May Day today, Mr Nepal noted that though the development of science and technology has left a broad impact on human life, the lives of millions of workers have not changed, they are still forced to live a life of privation and their families are deprived of basic amenities such as health, education, etc.

Globalisation and economic liberalism have benefited big capitalists, while hundreds of thousands of workers have lost their jobs and industries and factories in poor countries are in disarray, he said adding that in our context, globalisation and economic liberalism have become a curse for indigenous industries, national capital and workers.

The CPN-UML leader also spoke of the need for the workers of Nepal to continue with their glorious history of struggle and wished the workers would play a more constructive role in transforming and building a new Nepal.

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Pradip Kumar Shrestha, in a similar message, stressed the need for workers to resolve problems through mutual discussion and dialogue and appealed to all to pledge themselves to strengthening democracy.

Likewise, chairman of the FNCCI Employers’ Council Rajendra Kumar Khetan wished that May Day would inspire all workers to work for good industrial relations.

Channel Nepal under new fire

BY KRISHNA SHARMA

Kathmandu, Apr. 30: The disputes plaguing Channel Nepal of Space Time Network (STN) entered new depths today with a parliamentary committee having found fishy deals in the import of telecasting-equipment by the first ever satellite television station in the country.

Just when the dispute of license issuance, cancellation, renewal and stoppage in transmitting the much publicised "Channel Nepal", has not settled, STN has been accused of misusing customs facility while bringing in its studio equipment from abroad.

Lawmaker and the member of Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament Hridayesh Tripathy said that STN has imported 114 devices from Singapore and Thailand under a complete waiver of sales tax and on only 5 per cent customs charge when the government had allowed it to bring only seven such items.

"The STN has brought as many as 107 items worth 600 million rupees," he said. He also hinted that if STN had paid the full customs charge of the 107 studio items that would have brought the revenue of about one billion rupees to the government. The customs for such items range from 120 to 165 per cent, including VAT.

Initially, STN had asked the government to give custom facilities for 66 equipment for its studio. But an inspection team of the Ministry reduced the number to 29 saying that would be enough. Later, a revised study of the Ministry had further cut down the number to 7.

However, Managing Director at the STN Jamim Sah said that his company has not imported even a single piece of equipment on customs facility so far. "We had deposited our money in Birgunj and Tribhuvan International Airport Customs at Kathmandu to get the facility. But we have not been allowed to enjoy our facility," he said.

Sah, meanwhile, added that he was ready to produce documents, which would prove that his company was not involved in any kind of illegal activities, and that they genuinely wanted to establish the earth station and launch ‘Channel Nepal’, which would ultimately benefit the country as well.

With the issue still to be cleared by the PAC and its file being studied by Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), STN will have to wait for more time before it goes global through Channel Nepal, the television station it plans to launch.

Meanwhile, Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications Shreeram Poudel has accepted that there were also weaknesses on the part of the Ministry while renewing the license of STN during all those years.

Furnishing questions raised by the members of PAC, Poudel made it clear that the Ministry had accepted the fee from STN for the renewal of the license but the license was not renewed. The license was renewed only on Falgun 19, 2057 after a detailed study of the profiles and activities. On why the license was not renewed when the STN had paid its due every year Poudel declined to furnish any answer.

When the government revoked the license some two months back on the suspicion that the Company would not establish its earth station, STN had requested the Prime Minister and the concerned Ministry to renew the license since there were no appropriate reasons in canceling the license when the company has been regularly paying the charges for the renewal and was candidly preparing for that.

According to Sah, STN was all set to launch its channel from the New Year’s Day of 2058. But the Ministry, saying it had yet to make the technical study of the STN’s preparation, stopped the launching.

Meanwhile, Secretary Poudel has informed the PAC at today’s meeting that the Development Committee of the House of Representatives has directed the Ministry on April 25 to study the technical aspects of STN’s preparation for the launching of the channel in two week’s time and allow it to transmit the programmes. But, according to Sah, the technical team has not yet reached the spot.

As to the preparation done for the launching of the television station Sah said that they are all set to go to satellite and that they are just waiting for the final inspection by the technical team of the government and their go ahead.

Thapa emphasises national consensus

Kathmandu, Apr. 30 (RSS): RPP Central President and former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa exchanged views with leading personalities from various sectors of society on matters relating to the RPP approach towards building a national consensus.

Professors, lawyers, journalists, industrialists, businessmen, media persons and intellectuals took part in the programme organised at Mr Thapa’s residence at Maligaon today.

Most of the intellectuals on the occasion pointed out the need for all political parties to rise above party interests and become active in favour of the national interest in the present circumstances when the country is going through a state of crisis.

They also expressed the view that the concept of national consensus put forward by the RPP is relevant.

Stating that the existing crisis in the nation cannot be resolved through the lone effort of any single party or force, Mr Thapa on the occasion said the RPP has concluded that a consensus among various political parties is essential and has pushed ahead with the concept of national consensus.

Mr Thapa also made it clear that the RPP has not raised the issue of national consensus with any intention of joining the government.

He called upon the intellectual society to help build an atmosphere conducive to national consensus.

UK grant for Rural Access Programme

Kathmandu, Apr. 30 (RSS): The Government of the United Kingdom has agreed to provide a grant assistance of 31,995,000 pounds sterling (equivalent to about Rs. 3,399,l00,000) to His Majesty’s Government for the implementation of a Rural Access Programme (RAP) in the Eastern Development Region and the adjoining districts of Bhojpur, Khotang and Sankhuwasabha, and in the Mid and Far Western Development Regions and adjoing districts Achham, Dailekh and Doti.

The main purpose of RAP is to improve poor people’s access to the goods, markets and services. The programme will contribute to the goal of more secure and sustainable rural livelihoods for the poor and disadvantaged in the hill areas of Nepal, according to a press release from the Finance Ministry.

The six year rural access programme is begining by 2001 and will end in February 2007. The first year will focus on preparatory arrangements for feeder and district roads in the east (mainly Bhojpur) and district roads in the Mid and Far West (Dailekh and Achham). In 2002, construction will start in Doti (Far West) and Khotang (East). Construction will last 3 to 4 years and will be followed by consolidation of a maintencance culture. Enhancing and Protecting Interventions (EPIS) will be implemented throughout the programme period.

In the selected districts, 1.2 million people will be benefited significantly from improved access with at least 750,000 of them being brought within half a day’s walk of a road for the first time. Among the poorest in the RAP districts, 115,000 people from 19,000 Road Building Group (RBG) households will benefit from significant cash earnings over three years, thus enabling debt rapayment and improved nutrition and savings. These benefits are expected to be dispersed to the wider community through local networks.

His Majesty’s Government will contribute 20 per cent of costs for the feeder roads, mainly for land acquisition and engineering inputs by the Department of Roads. district development committees will contribute 10 per cent, again mainly counterpart staffing and support.

A letter of exchange to this effect was signed by Dr. Bimal Prasad Koirala, secretary, Ministry of Finance of behalf of His Majesty’s Government and Mr. Ronald Nash, ambassador, British Embassy on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom.

His Majesty’s Government has expressed its sincere appreciation and thanks to the Government of the United Kingdom for providing continued assistance and support in the socio-economic development of Nepal.

Govt assistance to Babu Chhiri’s family

Kathmandu, Apr. 30 (RSS): His Majesty’s Government is to provide financial assistance of Rs 100,000 as immediate relief to the family of the late mountaineer Babu Chhiri Sherpa, according to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Mr Sherpa died on Sunday when he fell into a crevasse in the course of climbing the world’s highest peak, Mt. Sagarmatha.

Seven killed in bus accident

Bhadrapur, Apr. 30 (RSS): Seven persons died in a bus accident near Bhalumara stream to the west of Maidhar on the Mahendra Highway yesterday afternoon, it is learnt from the Ilaka Police Office, Damak.

The accident happened when a west bound bus (number plate Me. 1 Kha. 39) collided head on with an east bound bus ( Ko. 1 Kha. 797).

The deceased have been identified as Narayan Dangal and Krishna Dangal of Garamani VDC ward No. 9, Bhakti Khanal of Ghailadubba VDC ward No. 9, Suman Rai of Durgapur, Durga Puri of Juropani VDC ward No. 1, Damabar Natabo, 40, and Nidhi Upreti of Sattasidham VDC ward No. 7.

Eight persons seriously injured in the accident are undergoing treatment at the BPKIHS, Dharan and four at Amda Hospital, Damak while 44 others have returned home after treatment.

Fire destroys wildlife

Dhankuta, Apr. 30 (RSS): Thousands of rupees worth of forest products and wildlife have been destroyed as a result of fire caused by the dry spell in the community forests of Dhankuta district.

According to treasurer of the Community Forest Users’ Federation Punya Dahal, the fire destroyed Wagle Salleri Community Forest at Ward Nos. 2 and 4 of Dhakuta Municipality, the Mulbari Salleri Community Forest, Patle Sanne, Dumre Sanne Community Forest, Tamlakharka Community Forest, Bhanjyang Danda Community Forest, Salghari Community Forest, Bhangtar Women Community forest and other forests in the district.

Multiparty democracy has no alternative: Nepal

Kathmandu, Apr. 30 (RSS): Leader of the main Opposition Party and its general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that democracy has not been able to win the faith of the people as the state could not focus its attention on the poor after the restoration of democracy in the country.

Stating that multi-party democracy has no alternative but democracy could not take the form of a people-oriented polity, Mr Nepal remarked that various problems came up as the people could not feel the democracy restored by the 1990 movement and as the state operated in favor of anti-people elements.

The CPN (UML) leader, speaking at an interaction organised by the institute of Parliamentary Studies and Development here today, noted that his party has always upheld the constitution and the rule of law.

Parliament is the appropriate venue for dialogue and for solving problems, but the government’s indifference to just demands forced the leftists to take to the streets, he said adding, confrontation and crisis of confidence will not help the nation find any outlet and it will not be in favor of democracy.

Noting that they have not denied the existence of a majority party government, he observed that the people and the opposition have the right to demand the Prime Minister’s resignation and this cannot be called unconstitutional.

Speaking of the need to resolve the political problems arising out of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, exploitation, corruption, lack of good governance, etc politically, Mr Nepal warned that the country would be pushed into civil war if solutions are sought through the use of force.

Mr Nepal also spoke of the need for the Prime Minister to resign on moral grounds and pave the way for the solution of problems.

Stating that Prachandapath is harmful for Nepal and will rather help foreign expansionism, he urged all to pursue the path of consensus keeping in mind the interests of the nation and multi-party democracy.

Chairman of the foundation and former Speaker Damannath Dhungana, from the chair, observed that when democracy is being hemmed in from all sides, the major forces of the popular movement should forge unity.

In a Parliamentary democracy, Ruling and Opposition parties are two sides of the same coin, he said adding that both of them should make efforts to strengthen democracy.

Vice chairman of the Foundation Dip Kumar Upadhyaya and general secretary Ganesh Pandit also spoke at the function.

Leaders of different political parties, MPs, intellectuals, professors and human rights activists had taken part in the interaction.

Japanese court alleged ‘denying’ justice to Mainali

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, April 30: "The Tokyo High Court’s decision against Govinda Mainali is a sever form of racial discrimination," said Ms Junko Hasumi, director of Japan-Nepal Society at press meet here today.

"If there was other person from developed country in place of Mainali, the Court would have a different verdict."

"Mainali became scapegoat for his vulnerable situation of over-staying in Japan," she added.

Ms. Hasumi, who is also involved in ‘Justice for Govinda Preparatory Committee Representatives’, is presently in Kathmandu in connection for a just trial to Mainali.

Govinda Prasad Mainali, a Nepalese migrant worker in Japan, was arrested in March 1997 for a suspected murder of a woman in Shibuya, Tokyo. The Tokyo District Court found him not guilty and ordered for his acquittal in April 2000. But the prosecutors appealed to the Tokyo High Court to keep him in detention and he continued to be detained. Later, the High Court reversed the District Court’s decision and sentenced Mainali to life imprisonment.

"This kind of case was never happened to the migrant workers in Japan," Hasumi said.

"Normally, the accused ones are released after the court’s decision of acquittal. Mainali was even denied the rights of counselling and to present counter evidence to prove innocence," she emphasised.

"It is a great injustice rendered to him," she said adding, "Japanese authorities have violated the guidelines and procedures as stipulated in the Japanese Criminal Procedure Code and the United Nation’s International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and Convention on Civil and Political Rights that Japanese government has already ratified."

Ms Hasumi further said that prosecutor, court and the Immigration Bureau all tried to fabricate Mainali by conducting illegitimate investigations through illegitimate procedures and blindly assuming that he, not any other person, was guilty.

A speech of the Society’s President Eiji Yamamoto, distributed at the press conference also said Mainali’s detention was in contravention to his rights under Japanese laws.

"The High Court’s decision is a betrayal to the friendship and expectation shown by nations such as Nepal that plays important role for Japan in the age of increased globalisation," Yamamoto said.

He further said that the court action could negatively impact the wide range efforts of both the government and the people who have been participating in international communication and cooperation activities in various fields.

Justice for Govinda-Innocence Advocacy Group, a pressure group of five organisations, has demanded the Supreme Court conduct a fair trial and acquit Mainali.

A press release of the Advocacy Group also said in the process of putting Mainali on trial, the investigation authorities interrogated his Nepalese roommates and initially by threatening them and later by enticing them of housing and jobs induced incriminating statements against Mainali.

"There are enough and credible evidences to prove Mainali’s innocence such as the discovery of the victim’s train pass in Sugamo, a district of Tokyo, completely unfamiliar to Mainali," it said.

Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific NGO Networking Meeting for World Conference Against Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerances said in a press release that Mainali case reflects the discrimination against Asian migrant workers, who despite their valuable contributions to the Japanese economy, are denied the recognition and visa to stay in the country. Asian migrants workers, particularly undocumented ones, are perceived as a threat to social order and are made scapegoats for increasing social problems.

Ms Hasumi said that public pressure could be effective for the campaign to provide justice to Mainali.

She also urged Nepalese people to raise voice for fair trial and release of Mainali.

Likewise, member of the National Human Rights Commission Kapil Shrestha said that the Japanese authorities have ignored the spirit of universal rights of human beings. "Their treatment to Mainali is ‘uncivilised and unexpected’.

The Commission said it would appeal to the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu for justice to Mainali.

Likewise, Sudeep Pathak, a human rights activist, also said the human rights groups of Nepal would also submit a memorandum to the Embassy for the same case.