Bhutanese refugees stage hunger strike

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 18: Joining hands with their fellow expatriates in Khudunabari camp, Bhutanese refugees in Sanischare and Timai shelters started relay hunger strike today to press for prompt and dignified return to their homeland. Similarly, refugees in three camps in Beldangi started similar hunger strike on Monday demanding early repatriation of the over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees forcefully evicted from the Dragon Kingdom 12 years ago and languishing in camps in eastern Nepal.
According to a press statement issued by the Bhutanese Refugee Repatriation Representative Committee (BRRRC) from Jhapa, Bhutanese refugees in Beldangi, Sanischare, Timai and Goldhap organised a mass cycle rally on Monday. Nearly 500 refugees took part in the cycle that started in Sanischare camp. Likewise more than 100 people attended in the cycle rally at Goldhap camp but they were not allowed to come out of the camp area. A few protesters defied and managed to come out from the camp area and join the rally from Timai, the BRRRC statement said.

More than 12,000 verified refugees in Khudunabari camp have been in an indefinite relay hunger strike since last month demanding early repatriation and publication of the result of their verification. The outcome of the Joint Verification Team (JVT) screening that completed its work nearly a year ago, is yet to be brought out. The 12th round of Nepal Bhutan Joint Ministerial Meeting in Kathmandu last month has scheduled date for starting categorisation of the verified refugees in Bhutan from February 24.

The number of exiled Bhutanese refugees of Nepalese origin has crossed 100,000 in the last 13 years. They have been taking shelters in seven UNHCR managed camps in two districts of eastern Nepal.

Chand condoles demise of Mahasthabir

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 18: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of renowned Vikshu Dharmaguru Anirudda Mahasthabir.

In a condolence message here today, Prime Minister Chand has extended condolence to all the Buddhists at the sad demise of Vikshu Mahasthabir and wished for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Court rules against decision

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 19: The Appellate Court, Patan ruled against the decision of the government for the dissolution of the Sajha Yatayat Sanstha recently. The government according to a decision taken on November 2002 had directed the Registrar of the Cooperatives Department to dissolve the Sanstha.

Challenging the decision of the government to dissolve the Sanstha, a suit was filed in the Appellate Court Patan. The petitioners were Bhadra Kumari Ghale, Shyam Das Shrestha.

Similarly, shareholders Shishu Raja Bajracharya, Bharat Prasad Dhakal and Prem Lal Lamichhane had challenged the decision in the Supreme Court.

Parties demand common stance for peace talks

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 18: President of Rastriya Prajatantra Party Pashupati Shumsher JB Rana has said that the role of national political parties should not be minimised in the peace talks to be held between the government and the CPN-Maoists.

Speaking at a discussion programme on "consensus campaign for peace" organised by the Parliamentary Studies And Development Institute here today, Rana said various parties have been demanding a code of conduct for the cease-fire and made it clear that the RPP has cooperative feelings for the peace talks.

Stating that the talks to be held should follow constitutional monarchy, multi-party democracy and the public spirit, Rana pointed out the need to immediately resolve the problems facing the people falling victim as well as displaced due to the Maoists. CPN-UML central member Bharat Mohan Adhikari said the political parties also wish that the peace restored in the country should not turn to war.
He pointed out the need for the government side to become serious and immediately constitute a team for the talks.

NC central member Narahari Acharya said the list of issues to be discussed with the Maoists should be prepared and the Nepali Congress does not have any concern over constituent assembly.
Central member of NC Democratic Pradip Giri said "We should first look at the root cause of the Maoist problem."

Nepal Sadvawana Party's Hridayesh Tripathi demanded that the government-Maoist talks should be transparent and that the constituent assembly was also a demand of the party. Former Speaker Damannath Dhungana, president of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party Narayanman Bijuckhhe and president of Janamorcha Nepal Amik Sherchan also expressed their views on the occasion.

Magar Sangh forms various committees

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 18: Recently held meeting of the Nepal Magar Sangh has formed various committees to increase the activities of the organsiation.

According to the organisation, publicity committee under Naresh Khapangi, organisational committee under Yam Bahadur Thapa, education committee under Prakash Rana, fund raising committee under Kamal Rana and cultural committee under Bhoj Bikram Buda were formed. Likewise Bhupendra Pralami was given the responsibility of all the publication of the organisation.

The meet also resolved to celebrate its 8th anniversary on 11 March with different activities like blood donation and quiz. The district committees were also directed to organise activities on the occasion.
In the same way, the training for members of the organisation in the eastern region will be held in Ilam in May.