Don’t publish materials abetting terrorists, Gupta requests media

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): Minister for Information and Communications Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta has requested not to publish/disseminate news, articles, interviews, audio-visual or reading materials abetting terrorist activities.

Minister Gupta made the request while briefing proprietors and editors of private sector newspapers and F.M. Stations at the Ministry of Information and Communications today.

He said- "in the context of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (control and punishment) Ordinance, 2058 remaining in force, the Ministry earnestly requests the journalists and media people not to publish or disseminate interviews, articles, news or reading materials or audio-visual or commentaries encouraging the path taken by the Maoist terrorists or promoting or intended to supporting related activities like physical assault, loots, abduction, arson, murder and violent, disruptive and terrorist activities.

Minister Gupta stressed that in the context of the state of emergency in effect in the country, the media should be restrained, responsible and self-controlled in the dissemination of news and views.

He assured all that the declaration of the state of emergency in the country would not have any negative impact on the achievements of the popular movement of 1990.

It is necessary that all mediapersons become alert and conscious so that people involved in terrorist activities will not take advantage of the communication media and that their news will not be prioritized, the Information and Communications Minister said, making it clear that His Majesty’s Government had no any intention of blocking the information flow.

Referring to the right to freedom attained after the restoration of democracy being enjoyed by all, Minister Gupta, who is also spokesman of His Majesty’s Government, said that the government do not intend to disturb public life or restrict the fundamental right to information in the excuse of state of emergency.

He disclosed that it is not the government’s view that the state media be the sole source of information and lauded some private media for publishing or disseminating news in a restrained manner.

The Information and Communications Minister also remarked that the government had no plans of blocking collection of news, its dissemination and programme production, calling for the abiding of the directives issued by the government in letter and spirit.

He said henceforth he himself would be giving the information about the policy decisions of the government at political level, adding that a mechanism has also been put in place for the regular flow of information about the activities of the Royal Nepal Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force.

His Majesty’s Government is thinking of disseminating information at the regional level also from the concerned region itself, the Minister said, adding arrangements would also be made for collection of news at the local level.

The directive distributed on the occasion has prohibited the publication and dissemination of any news item which may spread hatred and insult towards or incite contempt or ill intention or demean the stature of His Majesty or the Royal Family, news which may undermine the sovereignty and integrity of the Kingdom of Nepal, that may disturb law and order of the Kingdom of Nepal, jeopardize the harmonious relations subsisting among the peoples of various castes, tribes or communities or spread communal hatred, undermine the morality, social stature and decent public behaviour and news that is against the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal; news items that might hurt the fundamental norms and values of multiparty democracy, news that might jeopardize national dignity, cause social disintegration, spread fear and terror or any news that might spread mal-intention towards and discourage the Royal Nepalese Army, Nepal Police and civil servants hurting the glory of these institutions, or news that might support or abet maoist terrorists and groups; or any other reading materials published with the idea ofunseating the elected government through the use of violence, materials that might create fear and terror among the public and materials that might give the wrong interpretation of, spread contempt towards, or insult or demean any community, language, religion and culture.

Similarly, the directive has encouraged the use of news highlighting the criminal activities of the Maoist terrorists, but at the same time cautioned that the news should not boost the morale of the terrorists.

The directive also states that news received through His Majesty’s Government and the government media concerning the acts of bravery and the achievements of the Royal Nepal Army, Nepal Police and civil servants, however, can be published or disseminated ditto.

His Majesty felicitates

Kathmandu, Nov. 29 (RSS): His Majesty the King has extended cordial felicitations to President Prof. Dr. Rexhep Mejdani of Albania on the occasion of the National Day of Albania.

In a message of felicitations, His Majesty has also expressed best wishes for the President’s personal health and happiness and for the progress and prosperity of the people of Albania.

PM extends good wishes

Kathmandu, Nov. 29 (RSS): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has extended sincere congratulations to Ilir Meta, Prime Minister of Albania, on the occasion of the National Day of Albania .

In a message of congratulations, Deuba wished the Albanian Prime Minister good health and happiness as well as progress and prosperity of the people of Albania.

Additional portfolio

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Narendra Bikram Nembang will, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, look after the Ministry of Science and Technology also in the absence of Minister of State for Science and Technology Bhakta Bahadur Balayar who left today for Italy to take part in the bilateral technical committee meeting to be held there.

This is stated in a notice published today by the Principal Press Secretariat of His Majesty the King.

Chinese team arrives

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): A 73-member Chinese delegation led by executive chairman of the All China Federation of Industry and Commerce Zhang Xuwu arrived here Tuesday to take part in the 5th meeting of the Nepal-China Non-governmental Cooperation Forum to be held in Kathmandu from November 29.

During the three-day meeting, an exhibition of goods produced by Chinese industries will be organised here, according to the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Likewise, the Nepalese and Chinese entrepreneurs will hold discussions on exchanging information in Nepalese and Chinese languages, holding technical and industrial trade fairs on regular basis, promoting cooperation in the fields of agriculture, tourism and culture, and decide on the date and venue of the 6th meeting of the Nepal China Non-governmental Cooperation Forum.

Koshi Tappu commission starts work

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): The commission formed by HMG under the chairmanship of Nandan Kumar Datta to resolve the problem of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve has started its work since November 2.

The tenure of the commission will be of three months from November 2.

Krishna Kumar Shrestha of Udayapur district, Hemraj Tater of Saptari district, the director of Eastern Regional Forest Office and the Chief District Officers of Morang, Sunsari, Udaypur and Saptari districts, the land revenue officer, the topographical officer, the head of district police office and the district forest officer have been designated ex-officio members and conservation officer at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve has been designated member-secretary of the commission.

The commission will carry out work out for distribution of 140 bighas of forest land to the families concerned under Indrapur of Morang district.

‘Govt preparing to introduce Traffic Bill’

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): Minister for Labour and Transport Management Palten Gurung has said that His Majesty’s Government is making preparations to introduce a Traffic Bill in the forthcoming session of Parliament taking into consideration the growing incidents of accidents and the welfare of the transport entrepreneurs, transport workers and the people in general.

Minister Gurung made this remark while inaugurating the four-day national conference on "positive trainers conference on occupational safety and health" jointly organised by Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and JILAF here today.

Stating that high level transport entrepreneurs committee would be constituted for traffic safety, Gurung said that the committee will be made to study the shortcomings seen in the transport sector and make recommendations for overcoming them.

Gurung said that the government is sensitive about the safety and health of the transport workers.

President of the NTUC Laxman Basnet said that the programme had been organised with the objective of providing occupational safety to agricultural, factory and transport workers and developing their vocation.

At the function chaired by convenor of the Department of Occupational Security and Health Ramji Kunwar, representative of JILAF Miss Uki Itoh, chief technical advisor of ESPS J. H. Hansen and Rajesh Palikhe of NTUC also expressed their views on occupational safety and health.

Nepal can be favourite destination for Japan

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 28: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh said that Nepal has now facilities and infrastructure to attract Japanese tourists here.

State Minister Singh expressed this view while addressing the Nepal Promotion Programme organised in Japan recently by the Royal Nepalese Ambassador to Japan Kedar Bhakta Mathema.

The programme aimed at promoting the Japanese tourist to visit the Himalayan Kingdom, according to a press release issued by Royal Nepalese Embassy, Japan.

Saying that there exist excellent relations between Nepal and Japan, Singh lauded the contribution of Japanese tourists to further enhance the people-to-people relations between the two countries.

Royal Nepalese Ambassador Mathema informed that Nepal has been rated as the second most desired country to travel in the world in a recent survey of 180 countries carried out by an UK-based Wanderlust Publication.

"Nepal’s natural beauty and the richness of her culture have played an important role for making Nepal as one of the most favourite destinations for travellers from all around the world," said Mathema.

On the occasion, a slide show and Nepalese folk dance were also organised.

About 130 participants including Joint Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Sunil Sharma, Pushkar Rajbhandary leader of Nepalese delegation to JATA, Govind Oli of Nepal Tourism Board, Japanese tour operators and travel and trade journalists took part in the function.

UML holds meeting

Kathmandu, Nov.28 (RSS): CPN (UML) General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal chaired the 24th meeting of the party’s Central Committee (emergency) today.

The meeting was organised with the objective of holding discussions on the grave situation in the country.

Thirty-eight members of the Central Committee and chairmen of the Central Advisory Committee and Central Discipline Inspection Committee were present at the meeting. Fourteen members of the committee had expressed their views at today’s meeting.

The Party’s Parliamentary party meeting which was originally scheduled to be held on Nov. 29 will be held on Nov. 30 at 11 am.

The central committee will meet tomorrow also.

Army foils terrorists’ attack, recovers looted arms and cash

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 28: The Royal Nepal Army deployed to maintain peace and security, and law and order in the country has caused fairly large damage to the Maoists terrorists and recovered some arms and also some cash the Maoists had looted in the past.

The army, in its endeavor to bring peace, has killed many Maoists during the exchange of fire with the terrorists on Tuesday night.

According to the army information center, the army killed 22 Maoists after they attacked the security personnel at the border of Pyuthan and Rolpa districts and 13 in Salyan. In another incident in Pyuthan, seven terrorists have been killed in army action.

In another press statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, the army deployed for maintaining peace and security foiled completely the attacks launched on them by Maoists.

According to the Ministry statement, 13 Maoists were killed Tuesday evening in an encounter with the army when they engaged in the fighting at the confluence of the Sharda Khola and Malta Khola in Salyan District.

Moreover, the army personnel seized a truck bearing registration number Na. 1 Kha 2677 and arrested five Maoists who were travelling in the truck. The army also recovered some weapons, looted by the Maoists from the police and army in the past, along with ammunition, explosives and Rs. 1.81 million from the truck.

Likewise, army foiled the Maoists’ attacks in Charikot, district headquarters of Dolakha District. Army personnel who were deployed for the protection of the district headquarters retaliated effectively with automatic weapons against a large mob of Maoists and caused massive damage to Maoists. But, according to the Ministry, the amount of damage caused could not be assessed.

Likewise, the army in Okhaldhunga and Jajarkot districts made preemptive strike with long-range weapons against the Maoists who had gathered and were making preparations make raids against the security personnel. In the action, no damage has been done to the army, Defence Ministry statement said. The damage done to the Maoists is yet to be assessed.

According to our Nuwakot correspondent, Maoists in the district have started resigning from the so-called people’s government of the Maoists. Twenty-one people of four VDCs of the district in a statement today said they have quit the Maoists movement.

Similarly, our Nawalparasi correspondent says the people of the district have felt secure and peace after the deployment of the army to end the Maoists’ terrorist activities. According to the District Administration Office, all apparatus of security have been activated in the district to main peace and the Royal Nepalese Army personnel have also been deployed in the district.

Meanwhile, according to our Biratnagar correspondent, local people have stood up against the terrorists and have resolved to fight against them after the Maoist terrorists attacked three innocent people at Kerabari VDC of the district.

DSP Rudra Bahadur Niraula said that the local people stood up against the terrorists after they attacked Birkha Bahadur Thapa and two of his brothers. Injured Birkha Bahadur has been admitted to B.P. Koirala Insitute of Health Sciences.

In Pokhara, security personnel have arrested about five dozen students from the hostel of the Mid-western Regional Engineering College, Lamachour, on the suspicion of being affiliated to Maoist terrorists.

Quoting the police as saying, our Pokhara correspondent reports that those arrested include students affiliated to the Maoists’ revolutionary student union namely Bishal Shrestha, Ganesh Prasai, Rewanta Rawat, Rabindra Bidari, Pravin Karki. According to police, 11 of them have already been released after necessary investigation.

When the police raided the hostel, the police found banners, weapons and equipment used for making bombs and indicting books and materials.

SC decision on writ petition today

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): A special bench of the Supreme Court is to deliver its judgement tomorrow on whether it will be in conformity with the Constitution or not to undertake hearings on the writ petition filed at the Supreme Court at a time when article 13 of the Constitution has been suspended after a state of emergency has been declared in the country.

The order to this effect was issued by a single bench comprising Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya.

The matter will be presented to the special bench comprising five judges in accordance with the Supreme Court Regulations 2049, spokesman Durga Prasad Duwadi said.

The order has also been issued for the presence of one representative each of the office of the Attorney General, Nepal Bar Association and Supreme Court Bar Association to present arguments in the case.

‘11,000 people die of TB every year’

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): Devendra Bahadur Pradhan, chairman of Anti-Tuberculosis Association of Nepal (ATAN) hoisted the flag of ATAN at its central office, Kalimati today.

Speaking at an interaction programme with the employees of ATAN, chairman Pradhan informed the gathering about the week long programme including seminars, publicity campaign and students’ rally to be organised in 17 districts to generate anti-tuberculosis awareness on the occasion of the National TB Day.

ATAN general secretary Madan Kaji Shrestha said all the programmes set for the National TB Day will be held in accordance with the objective of the association.

It is said that one third of the world population are infected with TB and around three million people die of the disease every year.

In Nepal, around 11,000 people die of the disease every year.

On the occasion of National TB Day, fruits were distributed to the 80 patients receiving treatment at the ATAN chest office, Kalimati as well as at Genetop project.

Similarly, on the occasion of the 48th National Tuberculosis Day, Anti-Tuberculosis Association of Nepal (ATAN) Kathmandu branch organised a talk programme with the objective of generating awareness about tuberculosis.

Speaking at the talk programme, director of National TB Centre and SAARC TB centre Dr. Dirgha Singh Bam said that it is the duty of all to take the person suffering from TB to a nearby hospital, suggest the patients for undergoing diagnosis of the disease and receiving treatment free of cost.

ATAN Kathmandu branch secretary Dr. Rajendra Prasad Pant called on one and all to be cautious before contracting the disease instead of receiving treatment after being affected by the disease.

Chairperson of ATAN Kathmandu branch Bhuwaneshwari Satyal was on the chair.

Curfew imposed

Kathmandu, Nov.28 (RSS): Dang District Administration clamped a curfew in Ghorahi and Tulsipur market areas from 9 pm today to 5 am today.

In Syangja, the local administration has clamped a curfew (prohibitory order) from 7.30 p.m. today to 5 a.m. tomorrow.

The Royal Nepal Army had directed the local administration to issue the curfew order to bring the law and order situation under control thereby preventing any untoward incident.

Total ban has been imposed on the movement of people and gatherings from Gunikhola to Tinghare in Syangja market and in areas about one km from the right and left sides of the Siddhartha Highway.

Similarly, Gorakha District Administration Office has clamped a curfew in the district headquarters from 6 p.m. today to 5 a.m. tomorrow.

After the office announced the curfew through mikes, the shops at the headquarters were closed from 5 p.m. today, while the movement of the people along the road was almost nil.

Work for people sincerely, Acharya tells MoAC officials

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 28: Minister for Agriculture and Co-operatives Mahesh Acharya today directed the Ministry officials to work honestly and with integrity while executing peoples’ work and official duties and responsibilities.

Addressing the Agriculture and Co-operatives Ministry (MoAC) officials and office bearers of different corporations affiliated to the Ministry at his office, Minister Acharya said, "At a time when the Maoist terrorists have obstructed all development works by creating the atmosphere of violence and terror, we should work in such a way so that the country’s development activities would not be obstructed and people would be able to heave a sigh of relief."

He also asked the Ministry officials to remain alert regarding the misuse of government vehicles. "Since the government has declared the state of emergency throughout the nation, it is against the law to offer any kind of co-operation to the terrorists, either it is direct or indirect," he said adding that anyone who assisted the terrorists directly or indirectly would be subjected to harsh punishment.

Meanwhile, he directed the officials to come to office exactly at 9:00 A.M. in the morning and leave the office only after the office hour. Minister Acharya also instructed the Ministry Secretary Ratneshwor Lal Kayastha to prepare a directive for regulating the bureaucrats working under the Ministry.

After giving the directives to the officials, Minister Acharya told the press that since it was a very sensitive time, it was the responsibility of everyone to fight against terrorism.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the concerned Ministers of all the Ministries have alerted the officials under them to act sincerely so that peoples’ works could be executed in time and the pace of development would not be halted.

Two die in road accident

Dhading, Nov. 28 (RSS): Two persons were killed when a motorbike they were riding was knocked down by a night passenger bus with the number-plate Lu. 1. Kha. 1743, it is learnt from the police.

One of the deceased has been identified as Ramhari Thapa, 32, of Thakre VDC ward No. 2 of Dhading district.

Krishna Khadka who was injured in the accident succumbed to injuries on the way to a hospital for treatment, it is learnt.

RPP stresses consensus

Kathmandu, Nov. 28 (RSS): A meeting of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Central Working Committee today called on His Majesty’s Government, the ruling party as well as all the other political parties and the civic society to take effective steps towards giving a political way out of the existing problems by maintaining a meaningful and working national consensus among all the political forces of the country and to provide a safe landing for the country from the existing situation.

A communiqué issued at the meeting states that a minimum consensus and understanding between all the political forces of the country is a prerequisite for wide-ranging reforms to be undertaken in the political, economic and cultural sectors as well as for the effective and reliable mobilisation of the security agencies.

No single party or government can achieve the objective of resolving the problems in the present situation, the communiqué reads.

It states that a permanent and sustainable solution of the problem is possible only with the formulation and simultaneous implementation of important, progressive reform policies and political, social, economic and cultural programs on the basis of national consensus.

The Nepali Congress needs to improve its working style, conduct and mentality and present itself as an example of restraint, large-heartedness and excellence in the present context in order to take the political parties, the civic society and the general people into confidence, the communiqué further states.

The Maoists have pushed the country towards a very difficult situation by creating an environment of murder, violence and terror in the name of people’s war and by directly attacking the Royal Nepalese Army, the ultimate and reliable means of national security.

Stating that these irresponsible acts of the Maoists have seriously hurt nationality, the national security, national integrity as well as democracy, the communiqué noted that it is the primary duty of His Majesty’s Government to create an environment of peace and security and maintain law and order.

The responsibility of mobilising various security agencies and mechanisms created by the state depending on the situation as per constitution and laws also lies with government, it is stated.

Party president Surya Bahadur Thapa chaired the meeting.