News Notes (Spotlight Weekly)

Bomb Explosions Rock The Capital

On the eve of the day-long capital valley strike, at least there were four explosions in different parts of the valley causing some damages and causing minor injuries to around half a dozen people. According to Police, a bomb went off at the toilet in the first floor of the state-owned Employees Provident Fund at Thamel damaging the toilet and shattering glass panes in the office Thursday afternoon. Another improvised bomb exploded at the parking area of Jaya Nepal cinema hall, close to the royal palace, causing damage to some half a dozen parked motorcycles and two cars. Another explosive went off at the top floor of the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation at Lainchour. Nobody was injured in these incidents. There were also minor damages when a bomb exploded in front of Bhaktapur Ceramic Industry within the Bhaktapur Industrial district Sunday afternoon. Another explosive went off in the Thahari carpet lane in Lalitpur. Nobody has claimed responsibility for these explosions. But Police suspect Maoist rebels to be behind these incidents. Police have taken into custody nearly 200 people for interrogation, reports said quoting officials. Compiled from reports Oct. 27.

Koirala

"Political Solution Should Be Explored": Koirala

Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President G. P. Koirala have said that the country was at the flames and a solution must be worked out politically. Addressing a function organized by Nepal Tarun Dal, NC's sister organization here Sunday, Koirala urged His Majesty to correct 'errors' in the royal proclamation on October 4. He also reiterated his statement that there was a "grand design" to finish off democracy in Nepal. "I don't know who that designer is. But as soon as we know, it would be much easier to resolve the present crisis," he said. Kantipur Oct. 28.

CIAA Takes Two More Officials Into Custody

The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) raided houses of Ramagya Chaturvedi, Executive Chairman of the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC), and Ananda Khanal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works and taken both of them into custody on charges of corruption late Friday. CIAA has been investigating Chaturvedi on charges of irregularities while he was the executive director of state-owned National Construction Company, Nepal. Sunday's Deshanter weekly claimed that despite being described as one of the most corrupt officials, Chaturbedi had bagged the plum post at RNAC by paying a hefty sum to the then Deuba administration last year. The anti-corruption agency is also investigation on charges of irregularities committed by Khanal, a former Director General at the Department of Roads including decisions taken by him while he headed the Asian Development Bank-funded Third Road Improvement Project. Both the officials will be produced before a court to be remanded into custody for further investigation, reports said. The CIAA is still investigating into charges of corruption involving 22 revenue officials after raiding their houses on August 17. Compiled from reports Oct. 27.

Koirala Accuses Of "Grand Design"

Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala has said that there was a "grand design" to destabilize democracy as soon as it was restored in 1990 and that the Royal Massacre of the June 1 last year was also part of it. He did not elaborate. The recent dismissal of caretaker Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government was also part of that design, he said. Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) here Friday, Koirala rejected the demands for holding elections to the constituent assembly "Supporting demands for the constituent assembly at the moment would amount to playing in the hands of regressive forces," Koirala said. If the dissolved parliament was not restored, things would take a dangerous course "affecting the system in place, including the monarchy, said the septuagenarian leader. Compiled from reports. Oct. 27.

SC Issues Orders

The Supreme Court on Friday overturned a decision by the government to close down Himal Cement Company and relocate it outside the Kathmandu Valley. The Supreme Court said the government's decision to close the factory down and relocate it elsewhere was unconstitutional. The Sher Bahadur Deuba government's decision last year had also decided to lay off workers. The government decision was challenged at the Supreme Court by some 750 workers who were laid off as per the executive decision. Officials said the decision was taken to reduce level of air pollution in the capital. Compiled from reports Oct. 27.

Court Rejects Petition Challenging Royal Move

The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a writ petition that challenged the legality of the incumbent government saying that King's move to form the cabinet under Article 127 could be challenged in a court of law. Registrar of the Supreme Court, Shree Prasad Pandit, rejected the petition brought to the court the same day. The petition had demanded annulment of the King's move of appointing Lokendra Bahadur Chand as the Prime Minister of Nepal. "According to the Article 127 of the constitution of the kingdom of Nepal-1990, the King has the right to clear any constitutional obscurity and confusions to make the constitution work. Hence, the King's act of appointing the present council of the ministers is for clearing the constitutional obscurity," the Supreme Court said. The court also referred to Article 31 of the constitution which says that no question can be raised over the King's decision-if it is His Majesty's prerogative-- in any court of law. Compiled from reports Oct. 24.

Vajpayee Hopes Early Election In Nepal

Nearly two weeks after the appointment of new government in Nepal, the powerful southern neighbor has felicitated Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand and has hoped that elections would be held as early as possible in Nepal. According to the Indian embassy in Kathmandu, in his message to premier Chand, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has said, "You have assumed the leadership at a critical juncture in your nation's history. Your mandate for the restoration of peace and stability, based on national consensus and the conduct of multi-party elections at the earliest places an important responsibility on your shoulders." We extend our best wishes in the fulfillment of this mandate, said the Indian leader in his message. "India attaches high priority to the friendly relations with Nepal based on shared values, extensive linkages between the two peoples and wide ranging cooperation," said Vajpayee. "As a close neighbor and friend, India wishes Nepal well in its endeavor to overcome the present difficulties," he said. Compiled from reports Oct. 23.

PM Ready To Hold Election

Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has said that the government was ready to hold forthcoming general elections in little more than next six months (that is, by April-May 2003) if all the parties were ready for it. Talking to a group of reporters that was leaving for a ten-day visit to India at the invitation of New Delhi, Chand said that for this his government needed cooperation from all sides. He, however, rejected proposal from mainstream parties to form a government as per article 128 of the constitution. The article, meant for interim arrangement in the democratic transition in 1990, calls for forming an interim government for the purpose of holding elections. "The provision is no more valid in the present circumstances," said the premier. Compiled from reports.

Govt To Seek Consensus

The first meeting of the council of ministers led by Lokendra Bahadur Chand has authorized the premier to evolve "national consensus" in consultation with major political parties in the country, reports said. According to KANTIPUR daily, the Monday's meeting also discussed the issue of appointing office bearers for National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Finance Secretary. Vice Chairman of NPC, Dr. Narayan Khadka, and all the members - appointed by the previous governments-- had resigned en mass on "moral grounds" after Mr. Chand was appointed the new premier. The post of Finance Secretary remains vacant after Finance Secretary Dr. Bimal Koirala was appointed chief secretary by the then Sher Bahadur Deuba government. Meanwhile, the cabinet meet on Monday has also made a number of administrative decisions to make bureaucracy service-oriented and accountable, reports said. Leading dailies report.

Camp Visit Nepal

US Deputy Secretary Of State , Donald Camp, called on Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand at the latter's office Monday and pledged his government's continued support to Nepal in its fight against terrorism, official reports said. Mr. Camp also assured Nepal of more financial and other support in the development of infrastructure and maintenance of peace in Nepal. The US envoy in Kathmandu, Michael E. Malinowski, was also present on the occasion. Compiled from reports.

Commission Asks Govt. To Go For Cease-Fire

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to take initiative for restoring peace by declaring cease fire, even if for a short period. A delegation led by NHRC chairman, Nayan Bahadur Khatri, called on Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand Tuesday and submitted him a report prepared on the basis of fact finding missions that visited 35 out of 75 districts in the country. The report accuses the security forces of gross human rights violation in their efforts to suppress escalating Maoist violence. According to the Commission, the inspection teams found gross rights violations by the security forces in areas they visited. The NHRC has accused security forces of "killing innocents in fake encounters," not following law while arresting, detaining and searching individuals, of using excessive force during operations and of being insensitive to the basic needs of education, food and health rights of the people. The report called on the government to immediately address these violations by following laws provided by the constitution. Compiled from reports Oct. 23.