90 journalists killed in 2001, says IFJ

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 22: There have been 90 cases killings of journalists in 2001, says the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the world’s largest journalists’ group.

The Federation has now urged journalists and media persons to avoid unsafe front-line reporting and not to travel without protection in Afghanistan after four more journalists perished in a road side ambush near Kabul- bringing the toll in Afghanistan in the last week to seven.

According to a IFJ press release the four died in the ambush were Harry Burton, Australian cameraman of Reuters news agency, Azizullah Haidari, an Afghan-born photographer, Maria Grazia Cuturi of Corriere della Sera, an Italian daily and Julio Fuenters of El Mundo, a Madrid daily El Mundo. The fifth person, who also died in the ambush, is yet to be identified.

"Much of Afghanistan is now a bandit country and hundreds of reporters are at a risk," said Aidan White, General Secretary of the IFJ, and added that it was clearly reckless of the reporters to go without military protection to areas that have not been secured.

"Journalists have to be extra careful in making sure they have cover when they are moving around the country, but even with armed guards they are still at risk given the irregular nature of the forces on the ground," he said.

IGP opens Ilaka police office in Dharan

Itahari, Nov. 22 (RSS): Inspector General of Police Pradip Shumsher J.B. Rana inaugurated the Ilaka police office Dharan building constructed within B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences complex at Ward No. 19 Dharan today.

In his inaugural speech, IGP Rana said the police organisation is actively working for maintaining peace and security.

Although, the police organisation suffered a big loss of life and property due to Maoist violence a few months ago the Royal Nepal Army, police and National Investigation Department are now working jointly to control the terrorist activity.

As violence and terror, robbery, and drugs and women trafficking cannot be checked without the cooperation of the people mobilisation of community police force is being considered to maintain peace in society, he said.

On the occasion, the IGP presented Rs. 68,111 and a letter of commendation each to the families of Asst. Sub Inspector Gyan Bahadur Katwal and policeman Bidur Bista, who were killed on duty by Maoists.

He also presented cash prizes and letters of commendation to Inspector Narendra Upreti, DSPs Amar Singh Chaudhari and Nara Bahadur Shrestha, ASI Shivahari Pokhrel and constable Rambilas Yadav in recognition of their best performance.

Presenting the building construction report, DSP Parshuram Khatri said the building was constructed at a cost of about Rs. 2.6 million on 7 kattha and 7 dhur of land provided by the institute.

Financing accord signed for Jhankre Power Project

Kathmandu, Nov. 22 (RSS): Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and Himal Power Limited (HPL) have signed an agreement for the financing of the Jhankre Rural Electrification and Development Project (JREDP) phase ii being undertaken by HPL.

An agreement to this effect was signed by Norwegian Ambassador Ingrid Ofstad and general manager of Himal Power Limited Dr. Harald O. Skar here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion MP Pashupati Chaulagain said that the Nepal and Norway enjoyed very cordial relations. He also appreciated the keen interest taken by the Norwegian government for the development of hydro-electricity in Nepal.

General manager of Himal Power Limited Dr. Skar expressed confidence that JREDP launched after the success of the Khimti Hydropower Project would contribute to the socio-economic development of the people in the region.

NORAD had funded 80 per cent and Himal Power Limited (HPL) 20 per cent for construction of the Jhankre mini hydropower plant located at Khankre Khola of Thulopatal VDC for providing power to the Khimti-I hydropower plant located at Kirne of Dolakha district.

JREDP is located at Jharkre Khola of Thulopatal village development committee in Dolakha district.

The project will supply electricity to Thulopatal, Hawa, Chyama and Shahare VDCs of Dolakha district, Rasnalu and Betali VDCs and some areas of Pharpu and Namadi of Ramechhap district.

The main objectives of the JREDP is to improve the quality of life of the rural people within the vicinity of the Khimti-I hydropower plant by carrying out rural electrification and development activities for five years (2000-2005).

Under its plan of action, JREDP will carry out rural electrification, establish a rural electric cooperative, train local on how to use electricity, and conduct non-formal education, health and income generating programmes for the long term benefits of the rural population.

Sindhupalchowk farmers drawn towards coffee cultivation

Chautara, Nov. 22 (RSS): The farmers of Sindhupalchowk district have been attracted towards cultivating coffee to improve their living condition.

Of the total 79 village development committees in Sindhupalchowk district, the farmers of Keul, Ichowk, Mahankal, Talamarang, Bansbari, Fataksheela and Sangachowk VDCs lying in the western part of the district have started cultivation of coffee.

Coffee initially cultivated in 30 ropanis of land in the fiscal year 2056/57 has been expanded to 300 ropanis of land at present.

Retnath Lamichhane, a farmer of Mahankal VDC first started growing coffee eight years ago by importing coffee seeds but as he could not sell his produce the local farmers had stopped growing coffee.

The farmers started growing coffee after a private coffee processing centre was opened at Panchkhal in 2056 B.S.

The coffee processing centre has been purchasing coffee produced by the local farmers at prices ranging from Rs 80 to Rs 90 per kilogram taking into consideration the quality of the coffee.

The farmers of Sindhupalchowk district had three metric tons of coffee last year, according to the district agriculture development office.

Five hundred kilograms of processed coffee was exported to Japan and Germany last year.

Taking into consideration the growing interest shown by the farmers in cultivating coffee, five farmers had opened a nursery and produced 13,700 saplings of coffee last year.

At present about 50,000 coffee saplings has been produced in the district.

The district agriculture office has been providing grant assistance to the farmers for coffee saplings and transport since last year.

Under the current fiscal year, the district agriculture development office has declared Talamarang VDC as a pocket area for cultivation of coffee, provided training for growing coffee and allocated a budget of Rs 42,000 for transporting coffee saplings.

At present 65 families of Ichowk, Mahankal and Talamarang VDCs have expanded coffee cultivation on 20 hectares of land with the help of 34 vocational farmers under the current fiscal year.

According to assistant agriculture extension officer Ramesh Humagain, the district agriculture office has the objective of making a net profit of Rs 800,000 and expanding cultivation of coffee in other VDCs of the district in the coming years.

According to experts, the coffee saplings have to be planted on shady areas as they cannot endure the direct heat of the sun. The coffee saplings starts producing coffee seeds after three years.

Even though coffee plants are affected by "gabaro and sindure" diseases, these diseases have not been seen at present, according to Humagain.

Meanwhile, six varieties of coffee seeds imported from India are being produced on a trail basis at the Horticulture Centre of Panchkhal, according to the centre’s chief Narayan Prasad Bhandari.

The Panchkhal horticulture centre has produced 32,000 coffee saplings of these varieties. These coffee saplings are suplied to the farmers of Kavre and Sindhuli districts.

Foundation stone laid

Kathmandu, Nov. 22 (RSS): Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolis Keshav Sthapit laid the foundation of the fly-over bridge to be built jointly by Kathmandu Metropolis and Innovative Concept Nepal Private Limited at Bhadrakali today.

The fly-over bridge estimated to cost about Rs 3 million is targetted to be completed within the next two months.

Under an agreement signed between Kathmandu Metropolis and Innovative Concept Nepal Private Limited, the construction cost of the fly-over bridge will be met by Innovative Concept Nepal Private Limited.

Under the agreement, the private company will look after the management and maintenance of the six-fly-over bridges built by Kathmandu Metropolis and build another six fly-over bridges at different places of the metropolitan city.

In return, the private company will enjoy the income generated from advertisements and shops under the fly-overs for 20 years and pay the Kathmandu Metropolis an annual revenue of Rs 120,000.

Speaking on the occasion Mayor Stapit said that the fly-over bridge is being built under the metropolitan city’s programme of involving the private sector in solving the problems of the city.

Stating that new roads are being built and the old roads being expanded by the metropolis for the convenience of the people, Sthapit said that the metropolis is thinking of building a separate lane for cyclists on both sides of the roads.

Managing director of Innovative Concept Nepal Private Limited Parasmani Baral informed that additional fly-over bridges would be built at Ratna Park, Tripureswore, Chabahil and Balaju at a cost of Rs 60 million within the next three years.

Chief of the Valley Traffic Police Office Keshav Prasad Baral said that the fly-over bridges would play a significant role in solving the problems caused by increasing traffic and population as well as urbanisation taking place in the metropolitan city. The pedestrains should cultivate the habit of crossing roads through the fly-over bridges, he added.

Chief of the Road Division Office Harekrishna Bhagat said that the fly-over bridges would reduce the pressure of pedestarins in the roads. The metropolis should give attention to building more fly-over bridges and expanding the roads in the city, he added.

‘Constitution brought about by people’

Pokhara, Nov. 22 (RSS): Spokesman of the CPN-UML Pradip Nepal has said the present Constitution was brought about by the Nepali people, not at the whim of any one party.

The CPN-UML spokesman made this remark while talking to journalists at a tea party organised on the occasion of the third anniversary of the regular publication of ‘Nawa Yug’, the political mouth-piece of the CPN-UML, here today.

Constitution is not a rigid thing and it can be amended, said Nepal who was also the one-time Chief Editor of the mouth-piece, adding the Maoists have not proved the rationale of a new Constitution which they have been demanding.

He said it is the Maoists who have put the talks at a state of ‘deadlock’ not the government. The Maoists have themselves obstructed the talks process but have instead blamed the Prime Minister for the same, he added.

Terming the statement of CPN-Maoist president Prachanda as only a bargaining stick, the CPN-UML spokesman said the people are rising against the Maoists more than the political parties at present.

Replying a query, Nepal said the Constitution has placed the army within the ambit of the government, not outside of it.