Last rites of Shrestha performed at Aryaghat

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 27: The daughters, one of whom had flown in from England, broke down as the funeral pyres of their parents were being lit, and thousands others shared the feeling of losing one's near and dear ones.

The last rites of Krishna Mohan Shrestha, Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Armed Police Force, and his wife Nudup, were performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat as per the Vedic tradition today.

Late IGP's youngest brother Jesh Mohan Shrestha lit the funeral pyre as a contingent of the Armed Police Force presented a guard of honour.

Similarly, the last rites of sub-inspector Surya Bahadur Regmi were performed according to religious tradition, at Khaniyaghat on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River in Parbat in west Nepal today. Late Regmi's 13-year-old son Saurabh lit the funeral pyre. His body was flown to Parbat, his home district, by helicopter this morning.

From early this morning, a large number of people had begun gathering at late Shrestha's residence in Kalanki to pay their respect to the dead ones.

The funeral procession of their mortal remains started at about 1 P.M. with police personnel, relatives, well wishers and common people taking part. The bodies of late Shresthas were carried in a police truck, with the battalion of the Armed Police Force marching along, and the band of the Force sounding requiem.

Thousands of people had lined along the procession route through Balkhu, Kalimati, Tripureshwar, Ranipokhari, Gyaneshwar, Ratopul and Gaushala. People lining the route, many with misty eyes, threw flowers at the bodies as a mark of respect. The procession had taken almost two hours to reach the final resting place - Aryaghat.

There were thousands more at the Pashupati Aryaghat who had waited hours to pay homage to the late Shresthas.

At Aryaghat, Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal, Inspector General of Nepal Police Shyam Bhakta Thapa, Chief of Royal Nepalese Army Staff Pyar Jung Thapa, Assistant Inspector General of Armed Police Force Sahabir Thapa, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, ministers, former ministers, high level government officials, politicians and relatives paid their last tribute to late Shrestha and his wife.

Late Shrestha's eldest daughter Namita and youngest daughter Kriti were present at Pashupati Aryaghat. Namita had arrived in Kathmandu today from England.

The security personnel had some difficulty managing the huge crowd. As the mortal remains of the Shresthas went up in flames, the people stood in silence, many with tears in their eyes to pay their respect for the man who laid his life in the service of the country and the people.

IGP Shrestha, his wife and his bodyguard Regmi were shot dead by a gang of masked assailants at Bagdol of Lalitpur about 7:30 Sunday morning while on a morning walk.

In Parbat, Baburam Karki, Superintendent of Police and chief of the Chandika Police Battalion at Kusma, chief of the security body, and other personnel of the police force paid tribute to late Regmi. SP Karki also expressed his heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family. Hundreds of people had gathered at the funeral site to pay their respect and tribute to late Regmi.

Born in 2029 B. S. at Ekpate of Naglinbang Village Development Committee (VDC) in Parbat district, he had joined the police force nine years ago.

He is survived by wife Bishnu Devi Regmi, son Saurabh and daughter Sujata.

Various political parties condemn murder of Shrestha

RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan. 27: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) central working committee meeting here today has strongly denounced the gruesome murder of Inspector General of Armed Police Krishna Mohan Shrestha, his wife Nudup Shrestha and bodyguard Surya Regmi by terrorists here yesterday.
Stating that the murder of the head of a sensitive security organisation in broad daylight in the heart of the capital has proved that the law and order system has failed, the meeting has laid emphasis on the need for the government to consider the direct challenge being posed to the security system of the country.

The meeting has also sought the resignation of the Home Minister for inefficiency, serious lapse in the home administration and on moral grounds.

Stating that this tragic and heart-rending incident has pointed out the need for the political parties to join hands to face the grave situation, the meeting has said that the RPP feels all the political parties should intensify their cooperation to it to bridge the gulf between them and the Monarchy.

The meeting has also stated that considering the gravity of the situation, the time had come for the political parties to rise above petty politics and perform the role of efficient statesmanship to resolve the crisis in the country, and the challenge posed also calls for solidarity among all the constitutional forces.

The meeting expressed the RPP's firm commitment in words and deeds towards the sovereignty vested in the people, Constitutional Monarchy, multi-party democracy, human rights and humanitarian values in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990.
Reaffirming that having emerged as the alternative democratic force on the political horizon of the nation, the RPP will never deviate from the democratic perspective, the meeting deplored the ill attempt to create confusion about this for some time now.

A high level committee constituted under the chairmanship of Party President Pashupati Shumsher JB Rana and comprising senior central members Jogmehar Shrestha, Padma Sundar Lawati, Dipak Bohara and Khemraj Pandit to ensure dialogue and coordination between the Prime Minister and the party has decided to present a report at the next meeting of the Central Working Committee.
The meeting endorsed the new system of monthly levy of the central members of the party.
RPP president Rana presided over the meeting.

Likewise, various political parties, organisations and foundations have condemned the murder of Inspector General of the Armed Police Krishna Mohan Shrestha, his wife Nudup Shrestha and bodyguard Surya Regmi.

They have also wished for the peace of the departed souls and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

Those issuing statements to this effect were Rastriya Janamukti Party, Hariyali Nepal Party, Nepal Communist Party (United), RPP (Nationalist), the Puspalal Memorial Foundation, the Rupak Memorial Foundation and the Foundation for Human Rights Communications.

Meanwhile, The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken seriously the brutal murder through deception of the Inspector General of Armed Police Krishna Mohan Shrestha, his wife Nudup Shrestha and bodyguard Surya Bahadur Regmi while on a morning walk.

In a press release issued here today, the NHRC has stated that the brutal murders which violate the right of a person to live are intolerable to everyone.

The brutal murder of Mrs Shrestha who was not involved in any way in conflict and was working as a teacher is a direct assault on an ordinary civilian and a direct violation of Article 3 of the Geneva Convention, NHRC said.

Stating that the gruesome murder of the head of a security organisation of the nation has created a hurdle in the peaceful resolution of the problem and will only lead to more confrontation and increase the atmosphere of mistrust, NHRC has condemned the murder and called for the peaceful resolution of any problem.

Film festival projects nation: Pandey

RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan. 27: A discussion programme among individuals concerned with the film sector was held at the Ministry of Information and Communications today in connection with organising of the National Film Festival-2003.

Speaking at the programme held under the convenorship of the Film Development Board, Minister for Information and Communications Ramesh Nath Pandey said the film festival is being organised to honour artistes who have contributed to the film sector and to encourage new generation artistes.
Expressing the view that the film festival would also have an important role in the promotion of the tourism sector, Pandey also expressed confidence that the film festival would help Nepal's international image.

He also expressed his commitment to active cooperation on behalf of the government in fulfilling the objectives with which the Film Development Board was constituted.

A majority of participants of the discussion programme expressed their commitment to cooperation in the successful organising of the film festival.

Also present at the programme were Assistant Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications Mukunda Sharma Poudel and chairperson of the Film Development Board Mukunda Prasad Acharya.

'Unity needed for peace'

RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan. 27: The necessity has been pointed out here for unity between the government and national political parties in order to strengthen and consolidate the state of law and order in the country considering the present situation following the murder of Inspector General of Armed Police Krishna Mohan Shrestha.

Speaking at a face-to-face programme organised by Reporters' Club Nepal here today, leaders of different political parties emphasised the urgent need for peace talks between the government and the Maoists in order to stop the killing of innocent people, the police and army personnel and political cadres and the destruction of physical infrastructure.

Expressing his view on the occasion, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kuber Sharma said if a proposal in writing came on behalf of the Maoists the government would take steps towards that direction.

Making it clear that His Majesty's Government has never shut the door to dialogue, Minister Sharma said power cannot change hands through fear, threats and terror.

Minister Sharma also said security personnel will continue firing their guns as long as the Maoists do the same.

Stating the role of the monarch in the present circumstances is becoming important, Minister Sharma said His Majesty the King is flexible in terms of a dialogue between political parties and the Maoists.
General secretary of Nepal Sadvawana Party Devendra Mishra said in the present circumstances when the Chief of the Armed Police Forces has been murdered, the political parties should set aside their differences and develop an agenda to maintain law and order and resolve the Maoist problem.
Nawaraj Subedi, general secretary of Janmorcha Nepal said as per the constitution the sovereignty lies in the people and this should be put into practise, and the government should be serious in terms of law and order.

Khemraj Pandit of RPP said the RPP has taken serious note of the murder of IGP Shrestha and expressed concern over the weak state of the body responsible for security.

CPN-UML standing committee member and former minister Radha Krishna Mainali said the CPN-UML has never wished for conflict with the King and emphasised the need for constituting a national government in order to resolve the existing problems.

Thapa, US embassy express deep sorrow

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 27: Home Minister Dharma Bahadur Thapa expressed deep sorrow over the brutal and cowardly killing of the chief of Armed Police Force Krishna Mohan Shrestha, his wife and bodyguard sub-inspector Surya Bahadur Regmi early Sunday morning.

"I am personally grieved for the cruel killing and condemn the barbaric act," Thapa said in a letter to the Armed Police Monday.

"I am with you in this hour of sorrow and difficulty. The nation will remember the late IGP's contribution to its service. His contribution for enhancing and strengthening the police administration is highly commendable," Minister Thapa said.

Such cowardly act will not deprive and discourage our security personnel from performing their duties and responsibilities. Murder, terror and violence have no benefit. Any group and person involved in such cowardly and inhuman acts will never succeed to achieve any goal. End of such act is sure, Thapa said.

Thapa, in his letter, also called on all security personnel to have patience and involve actively in controlling terrorism and maintain peace and security in the country.

In a separate letter addressed to late Shrestha's mother Prem Kumari Shrestha, Minister Thapa has wished patience for the bereaved family. His death has caused an irreparable loss to the nation, Thapa said. "I am deeply grieved for their untimely death."

Meanwhile, the American Embassy in Kathmandu, has condemned the murder and has expressed deep sorrow over the death of IGP Shrestha, his wife and bodyguard. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims," the American embassy stated today.

"IGP Shrestha was a selfless public servant who dedicated his life to his country. Mrs. Shrestha was a gifted teacher who brought the joy of learning to hundreds of young children over an 18-year career," read the press statement of the Embassy.

Tributes paid to martyr Dharma Bhakta

RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan. 27: Heartfelt tributes were paid to martyr Dharma Bhakta Mathema at a programme organised at Shiphal, the spot where martyr Mathema had got martyrdom, today.One minute's silence was observed for the eternal peace of martyr's soul at the tributary programme organised by Kathmandu Metropolitan City on the fourth day of Martyr's Week.

Founder chairman of Rastriya Praja Parishad Ram Hari Sharma on the occasion shed light on various aspects of the personality and contribution of the martyr Mathema.

Paying tributes on the occasion were former mayor and deputy mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, officials of the Martyr's Week Co-ordination Committee and others.Martyr Mathema was hanged by the then rulers on a tree at Siphal on 13 Magh, 1997 B.S.

Lack of implementation of laws hinders Dalits' progress

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 27: There are no dearth of laws and rules providing Dalits and other oppressed section of the society with equal rights in social and political lives, but putting them into practice is a different thing altogether.

Dalits are still deprived from socio-cultural activities and are looked down upon by those of high-caste and high class. Participants at a workshop on Discrimination Dalits and Labour Rights in Nepal, complained that they still are proscribed from political, educational, economical, social and religious functions.

They said that they are unable to exercise their rights and opportunities because of lack of the effective implementation of the laws and rules.

Speaking at the workshop today, Padam Singh Vishwokarma, chairperson of National Dalit Commission, said the Dalit labours are still discriminated on wages in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.

Employment and education opportunities are the key elements if the social and economic statuses of the Dalits are to be improved. "We need skill training to find a place in the job market," he said, adding the laws and rules advocate equality but they need to be implemented effectively to avoid discrimination in the real life.

Prem Nidhi Gyawali, Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management said that Dalits constitute about 13 per cent of the total population and live mostly in rural areas, where they still lead a life of poverty, dejection and discrimination.

The government has announced that it has plans to eliminate child labour by 2010. He said that the 10th plan has also strongly emphasised to implement poverty alleviation programmes especially for women, Dalits, and downtrodden and other deprived as well as valunerable groups.

A labour court has also been established to protect labour rights and to make hearings on their appeals. There are also NGOs, INGOs and multi- and bi-lateral agencies, which are working for the upliftment of the Dalits.

Ms. Leyla Tegmo Reddy, Director of the International Labour Organisation Nepal, said that the organisation has been looking after the issues of the caste or ancestral discrimination, and has been working to provide social justice to the people.

Discrimination of any kind is a serious violation of human and labour rights and it causes the waste of human talents and resources and erosion of social cohesion, she said.

Mandal stresses ties with India

RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan. 27: Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal has expressed the confidence that the close relations enjoyed by Nepal and India since centuries would become more dynamic and extensive in the days to come.

Speaking at a programme organised by Nepal-India Friendship Society on the occasion of the 54th Republic Day of India here today, Deputy Prime Minister Mandal said the two countries do not only enjoy human relationship but also complement one another in natural, cultural and geographical terms.

Nepal has given high recognition to the exchange of cooperation between the two countries, he added.
Indian Ambassador Shyam Sharan said Indo-Nepal relations is an unique example in the world and there is no problem that cannot be resolved through friendly spirit between the two countries.
On the occasion, the Indian Ambassador felicitated Deputy Prime Minister Mandal by wrapping a shawl around him.Coordinator of the society Prem Laskari presided.

Violence setback to employment: ILO

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 27: At a time when global economic recession has badly affected the employment market, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has identified domestic armed conflict and violence as a major setback to employment opportunities in Nepal. The ILO has also listed Columbia in the same category.

The global economic slowdown has pushed the number of unemployed to new heights leaving little possibility for improvement this year, reveals the ILO report Global Employment Trends. "The world employment situation is deteriorating," it says.

The ILO report estimates that the number of unemployed globally grew by 20 per cent since 2000, reaching 180 million at the end of last year.

"This deteriorating world employment picture and the prospect of a weak or delayed recovery is very disturbing. Continuation of this trend will dramatically increase the consequences for social and political stability in large parts of the world."

Post September 11 development has increased unemployment worldwide, hitting hard Latin America and the Caribbean with 10 per cent increase in joblessness. One billion jobs are needed for the coming decade to get on track for the UN goal for halving extreme poverty by 2015.

Unemployment began to grow soon after the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) bubble burst in spring 2001, sparking an economic slowdown. Worst hit were labour intensive export-oriented sectors such as garments, which largely employ women, the report has found.

Asia suffered severely from the bursting of the ICT bubble, which cut exports to the industrialised countries. Child labour and human trafficking remain major issues for the Asian region as a whole.
Unemployment growth in the industrialised countries decreased between the year 2000 and 2002 with the exception of Italy and New Zealand. Overall unemployment in the industrialised countries has been rising steadily from 6.1 in 2000 to 6.9 per cent in 2002.

Despite some economic recovery in South Asia in 2001-2002, security concerns, poor weather conditions, slowdown in exports and declining tourism revenues caused the employment situation to worsen. "The poverty increased as did the number of working poor." The region's unemployment rate grew 2.9 per cent in 1995 to 3.4 per cent in 2002.

The report identifies Sub-Saharan Africa sustaining a fairly constant economic growth.
The report also reveals that nearly 60 per cent of the world's labour force will be in Asia by 2010, with China alone making up one quarter of the global labour force. Meanwhile, the share of the industrialised countries and transition economies in the world labour force will decrease to about one-fifth by 2010. Thus the bulk of the jobs that need to be created by 2010 must come in Asia and sub Saharan Africa.

The report warns that greater unemployment will put severe pressure on government budgetary targets given the fragile financial position of many countries and calls on policy makers to focus on measures to secure and spread recovery and ensure faster growth in employment opportunities, reduce unemployment and poverty.

The report suggests a 'pro-jobs' policy involving fiscal and other measures to 'jump-start' growth and stimulates employment intensive investments. This must be accompanied by an incentive structure for the private sector that favours employment creation. It also has stressed reducing the vulnerability of developing countries.

Countries should adopt pro-poor policies to help women and men secure productive and decent work in conditions of freedom, security and human dignity. In addition, ending restrictions on the right to organise, tackling, discrimination and child and forced labour are essential steps toward the economic, social and political empowerment of the poor, the report reads.

It is only through pro-jobs and pro-poor policies, can we address this growing employment crisis and place decent work at the heart of economic and social policies, Juan Somavia, Director-General of the ILO is quoted as saying in the report.