Christians pressure on Hindu king

Christians have begun to put pressure on the kind of the only Hindu Kingdom of the world. In a letter dated August 18, to His Majesty the King, member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom David Alton have demanded to top atrocities on Christians in Nepal by Hindu extremists. He has claimed that Christians in Nepal are suffering from atrocities of the Hindus.

He has written he got information about the Pashupati Sena of the Hindu fundamentalists of trying to demolish churches and even the Christians leaders are being threatened to be murdered. One of those leaders targeted is Ram  Sharan Nepal, he has written.

The full text of the Letter reads as follows:

HRH King Birendra Bir(a) Bikram  Shah Dev
Royal Palace, Kathmandu
August 18th, 1999

Your Majesty,
I am a British Parliamentarian and am deeply concerned by the increasing persecution of Christians in Nepal. I am informed that Pashupati Sena is a Hindu fundamentalist group in Nepal and that they are trying to destroy the church in you country. I am disturbed by reports that this group wishes to kill the main Christian leaders in Nepal and to destroy the church buildings. One of the Christian leaders  they have targeted is Pastor Ram Sharan Nepal who is the leader of the Evangelical Christian Alliance of Nepal. This fundamentalist group is even said to have influenced certain Members of Parliament in your country.

I am informed that Mr. Asokh Nath Tiwari, whom you appointed to the Parliament, has been calling for persecution against Nepal’s Christians and for drastic action to be taken to stop Christianity.

Hatred is also being incited  in local newspapers against Christians. I am told that  Christians have been falsely accused of involvement in Maoist activity, drug trafficking and trafficking of girls for prostitution. The reality is that the churches are doing good works such as providing homes for orphans, help for the poorest of the poor, giving humanitarian and medical aid and education for the underprivileged as well as taking care of the spiritual welfare of people.

Nepalese police officers are reported to be raiding church offices and Pastors’ homes and demanding money. I am told that early this year the police arrested and killed 4 Christian pastors. Police are going to churches to demand the names of  members and the confidential documents of the church.

Pastor Jit Bahadur Vitrakoti was reportedly arrested while holding a church service in Patan City, beaten up and tortured in the Office of the District Superintendent of Police at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur district. Police officers have also been to the house and church of Pastor Ram Sharan Nepal but he was not there at the time.

I urge you to ensure that this persecution against Nepal’s Christians is stopped immediately and that those police officers and Hindu extremists responsible for these problems are prosecuted and punished. I am also  deeply concerned for the safety of Pastor Ram Sharan Nepal who has been facing many threats because of his active Christian ministry. Pastor Ram Sharan is one of the key Christian leaders in Nepal and my Parliamentary colleagues and I will be monitoring his situation and that of the Christians in Nepal with great interest and concern.

With respect, I urge you to use your extensive influence to ensure that neither Pastor Ram Sharan nor any other Christian leaders are attacked by Hindu extremists or the police and that Nepalese Parliamentarians do not encourage persecution against Christians. I enclose a copy of a letter which Pashupati Sena has been putting out, stating their intention to persecute Christians.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Yours Sincerely,

(Signature)

David Alton
Professor the Lord Alton of Liverpool.

(Deshantar, August 22, Sunday)

Bhutan dares Nepal, Nepal waits

Bhutan has stopped considering Nepal in the Bhutanese refugee issue. Bhutan, which in the previous several rounds of talks had tried to mislead Nepal, has now dared to say that it would not repatriate the Bhutanese refugees.

Recently, Bhutanese National Assembly took a decision on this. According to Kuinsel, the mouthpiece of  the Bhutanese government, the Assembly, who has a all and direct control of the Bhutanese king, made a decision not to take back one who have left Bhutan. Thus, Bhutan is breaching the international law and norms.

The decision which came after the Nepalese Foreign Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat expressed the desire to review Nepal’s relation with Bhutan has made the Nepalese side concerned.

However, Dr. Mahat says he has come to know about the Bhutanese decision only through newspapers. But he said Bhutan can not take unilateral decision on the refugee issue. We also can not say that we will not take back Nepalese who may be living outside Nepal.

According to Dr. Mahat, Nepal and Bhutan will have ministerial level talks in September, may be in Kathmandu. Nepal will formulate its policy towards Bhutan after looking at the Bhutanese attitude.

(Deshantar, August 22, Sunday)

I was ousted from Home Ministry: Khum Bahadur

Minister for Works and Transport Khum Bahadur Khadka has publicly said that two generals of the Royal Nepalese Army, Victry Shumsher Rana, and Om Bahadur Pun Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Haribabu Chaudhary, chief of the Investigation Department have ousted him from the Home Ministry.

Speaking at a programme of the Reporters’ Club he said they have conspired to fail the Master plan against the Maoists he had made when he was Home Minister. What is interesting is that the two generals are very close to the Royal Palace.

General Om Pun is now the chief of the military intelligence and Rana is currently the force commander in UNIFIL, Lebanon.

Khadka revelation has revealed about the plots and schemes  of the political and security sectors.

Meanwhile, he did not say anything about what was in his plan to quell the Maoists. What is more intriguing is that Foreign Minister Dr. Mahat is being protrayed as a Maoist supporter.

(Sanghu, August 21, Saturday)

Government in crisis again

The central committee meeting of Nepali Congress has said the ‘violent people’s war’ launched by NCP (Maoist) as terrorist activity and conspiracy to eliminate democracy, and has instructed the government to take administrative, political and legal steps to control it fully. The meeting, chaired by the NC President Girija Prasad Koirala, branded the Maoists as ‘terrorist group’.

Meanwhile, in a ‘Face-to-Face’ programme organised by the Reporters’ club, senior minister of the present cabinet Khum Bahadur Khadka expressed views against the decision of the committee.

It is said that Prime Minister Krishna Bhattarai and the Congress President Koirala are against the view expressed by Khadka.

According to a reliable source, an informal meeting of party president, prime minister and some members of the working committee was held in prime minister’s residence yesterday, the taped  speech of Khadka was studied. The meeting is also said to have taken a decision to take action against Khadka.

However, if any action,such as removing him from the government, against Khadka is taken it might lead the government to crisis.

(Saptahik Janasatta, Saturday, August 21)

Memorandum presented to prime minister

Nepal Civil Servants Organisation, an organisation close to leftist parties, presented a memorandum with signature of 50,668 civil servants to Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai yesterday.

In the memorandum, the organisation has asked the government to fulfil its 11-point demand including the  increment of salary of the civil servants.

The organisation has given two days to the government to study its proposals. It will hold talk with prime minister Bhattarai on August 23, 1999.

(Saptahik Janasatta, Saturday, August 21)

Human right activists arrested

Police arrested 34 human rights activists yesterday who were demonstrating in the streets of Kathmandu demanding to set up of Human Right Commission as per the provision of Human Right Commission Act. The protest programme was organised by Informal Service Centre.

(Janasatta & Mahima, Saturday, August 21)

CDO more powerful than constitution

Chief District Officer of Sindhli district while speaking in a function organised by Nepal Journalist Federation Sindhuli District Committee said he would ban several newspapers— Janadesh, Mahima, Jwala and Jana Ahwan in the district. By saying so, he has tried to put himself above the constitution.

(Mahima, Saturday, August 21)

Rift widens in UML

Conflict between Madhav Nepal and KP Oli, the two most powerful leaders of the CPN-UML, has further widened after Nepal sought explanation from several supporter of Oli.

Under the instruction of Nepal, explanation were demanded from Krishna Gopal Shrestha, Shankar Pokharel and other leaders and workers. Nepal seems committed to eliminating them who goes against him in the party.

It seems, only few leaders will support to Nepal. Most of UML leaders are angry with Nepal from his dual character. Meanwhile, next meeting of the UML’s central committee will try to solve the problem created because of conflict between two leaders.

(Mahima, Saturday, August 21)

Koirala wants to become prime minister

The planned development of the political incidences show that Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala wants to be prime minister again at any cost.

The recently held central committee meeting has clearly signalled that the Bhattarai government could face serious crisis any time. Many were surprised when the three-day long meeting was concentrated mainly on the Maoist problem. But political analysts, who are closely watching Nepali Congress, say it is a first step of conspiracy to make Bhattarai government failure. They ask weren’t the Maoists problem was there during Koirala’s period or Deuba’s period?

The political development within Nepali Congress shows that it is the first effort to compel Bhattarai step down from the post on the ground of failure to maintain peace and security in the country.

(Nepalipatra, Friday, August 20)

Army mobilisation impossible

Nepali Congress government has become a failure in maintaining peace and security in the country. The ‘gear’ accelerated by Maoists has become a tragedy to NC leaders who were analysing the Maoists problem as powerless and children’s game. It seems that Congress was not able to identify the Maoist problem.

The recent airing of Maoist movement by ABC Television of Australia has raised many serious question. How was it possible to collect and photograph such things at the presence huge number of the police  personnel? It is questioned whether the police officer were involved in it? Some say that international non-governmental organisation made available the materials to the television. Similarly, so called intellectual of the country might have provided some information to them.

Similarly, “The Works” magazine of America had also published a cover story on Maoists.

(Nepalipatra, Friday, August 20)

Why boys flirt?

Flirting is on the rise in educational institutes. Twenty-year-old Rajendra Ghale feels that it is a natural for youngsters. However, Junu Pokharel of Gyanodaya College feels that ladies do not feel comfortable with the boys behaviour. She opines that the government should make an act to control this activity.

(Patrika, Friday, August 19)

MPs and Sex

Out of the 205 MPs in House of Representative, Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai is supposed the most ‘sexy’ MP. ‘Amita Kapali’ has become a partner of Bhattarai’s sex-life.

Whether he says it or not, Bhattarai has made sex an important part of his life. Bhattrai is one of the oldest MPs in the parliament but he enjoys life more than many young MPs.

It was to enjoy sexual pleasure more he did not marry. Bhattarai is one of the most liberal when it comes to sex.

UML MP Gokarna Bista says sex is a human need. Nepali Congress MP Mohan Basnet says Sex is biological need. However, they says they have their control over sex.

Still, some MPs have married their students, while others are polygamist. There are  also MPs who go to discos and cabin restaurants for entertainment.

(Patrika, Friday, August 19)

Smuggled images returned home

Four pre-historic sculptures believed to be stolen and smuggled out of the country in the late seventies and early eighties were brought home this week, thanks to anonymous private collector in Los Angeles.

The collector after seeing the pictures of the images in the book' Stolen Images of Nepal' written by Lain Singh Bangdel decided to give back to Nepal.

The statues — including Lord Buddha’s 9th century stele, 10th century’s Garudaasana Vishnu (Lord Vishnu riding on his mount Garuda or half man and half bird), a 14th century Surya image, flanked by Shiva and Vishnu and a 12th century image of Saraswati, the goddess of learning — arrived Kathmnadu on August 17, the Aracheology Department said on Thursday.

(The Rising Nepal, Friday, August 20)

Risk of Sikkimisation

India has increased its activities through pro-Indian MPs in Nepal.

T. Hermoj, Chief of ‘RAW’ formed a group of UML, NC and RPP to make the RPP candidate victorious in recently held National Assembly election.India’s increasing influence in sensitive sectors has increased the fear of Sikkimisation of Nepal.

(Jana Ahwan, Friday, August 20)

Another group in Congress

One more faction has been formed within the Nepali Congress. A gathering of the new faction was recently held in the residence of former MP Padma Shankar Adhkiary. Dr. Dhruba Sharma, Hom Raj Dahal, Badri Narayan Basnet and others were present in the gathering.

(Jana Ahwan, Friday, August 20)

Congress’s decision to make police all powerful

Finally, Maoists’ terror has made the ruling Nepali Congress serious. It was the first time that the party took the matter so seriously. After a four-day long meeting of its central  committee, the party decided that immediate action need to be taken to solve the problem. The party has also instructed the government to present the bill aimed at controlling terrorists activities launched by Maoists. The meeting also agreed that the movement was aimed with eliminating democracy from the country.

Since the beginning of the Maoists People’s War more than three years back, about 1,000 persons have been killed and about four dozen are still missing. In the name of People’s War, the nation has lost property worth of millions of rupees.

The Maoists’ guerrilla war has spread from the intitial 3 or 4 districts to almost two dozen districts now. Now, they even control various village district committees of Rolpa, Rukum, Jajarkot, Dang, Pyuthan, Salyan, Gorkha etc.

Experts say that the government should take peaceful step rather than retaliatory measures. However, the central committee of the ruling party’s instruction to take drastic measures has made them surprised. They feel that police were also responsible for increasing Maoists. It is because of the police suppression and terror, people began to have soft corners towards the Maoists.

If the government makes a new anti-terrorist act, it means making police stronger than ever. Police, who sometimes overstep their authority, could become more uncontrollable. It will create more terror.

(Khabarkagaj, Thursday, August 19)

Gachhedar’s ministership in crisis

Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Bijaya Kumar Gachchhedar has been contacting various power centres to cover up his wrong doings. Gachchedar has been charged for taking financial benefit during his tenure as Minister for Works and Transportation. Presently, he has been charged for supporting and helping international smuggler.

     News source says the INTERPOL has also been trying to arrest Gachchhedar. Similarly, an international gang has been threatening him that they would reveal all his past history if they don’t get the money demanded by them. Nevertheless Gachchedhar’s dark secrets have already been revealed.

(Khabarkagaj, Thursday, August 19)

Jeevan Jal scandal in Royal Drugs

Irregularities related to the supplying Jeevan Jal (ORT) worths of Rs. 12.5 million in remote districts has been revealed. A commission of Rs. 2 million is involved in the deal.

Several staff of the Royal Drug Limited,including deputy general manager Rajendra Bahadur Shrestha and chief of the Sales Department, Keshav Bhakta Joshi are involved in the irregularity.

(Khabarkagaj, Thursday, August 19)

Higher Education Council milching cow for Khaniya

Higher Education has turned into a golden goose to Dr. Tirtha Raj Khaniya. Officers have been taking undue advantage from the council. It will not be a surprising even if the council bankrupted.

Khaniya has made the council as his personal property. He has appointed his spouse Savitri Khaniya as Library Officer. Other relatives, Janardan Banstola, Govinda Khaniya and Rangila Joshi have also been appointed in council. They do not need to go to the office and work.

Eight years back, Khaniya was just a teacher. He had a small house and small land in Chitwan. Now the position has been changed. He has car, bungalow, servants etc. He has 10 bigha land in Chitwan. Besides, he has lands in Chabahil, Maharajgunj and Lokanthani. In Kalanki, he owns a big building. Still, he claims himself as honest.

(Shree Suryodaya, Thursday, August 19)

Civil servants ready to die

Civil servants, who were staging relay hunger strike since last six days, have now started fast unto death. The Nepal Civil Servants Association, which is supposed to close with ruling Nepali Congress, had called for hunger strike, demding the fulfilment of their 15-point demand. The demands include increment in salary, allowance of tiffin and education, reducing number of ministries and department which were created unnecessarily, automatic promotion to civil servants who had served in a single post for 15 years among others.

(Ghatana Ra Bichar, Wednesday, August 18)

Student Association oppose govt.’s decision

Nepal Students Union, the student wing of the ruling Nepali Congress party, has strongly opposed the government’s decision of making temporary teachers who have served for more than one year as permanent.

(Ghatana Ra Bichar, Wednesday, August 18)

Open Economy will bring problems

President of the ruling Nepali Congress party has said if the country adopts a fully open economic policy it will create grave crisis in the economy.

He was addressing an interaction programme organised by the Nepal Trade Union Congress.

(Aajako Samacharpatra, August 22, Sunday)