News Notes (Spotlight Weekly)

Indian PM Hopeful Of Rights Restoration In Nepal

Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that India is hopeful of restoration of civil rights in Nepal. Talking to reporters in Bangalore, PM Singh said that the recent developments in Nepal were a setback to democracy. He added that India hoped there would not be tensions between the royal palace and political parties in Nepal. He noted that India believed constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy were two pillars of Nepalese society. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports.

Traffic Flow To Valley Affected

According to the data given by the army, only 137 vehicles entered the valley and 90 went out through Nagdhunga point on Saturday (February 12). On Friday (February 11), 1659 vehicles had entered the capital and 888 went out through the same point. Compared to 1146 vehicles that entered the valley through Banepa on Friday, only 474 came in on Saturday. As many as 945 vehicles had left through Banepa on Friday, while 539 went out on Saturday. The Maoists have announced countrywide blockade beginning Saturday. To encourage people to travel without feat the security personnel are escorting the vehicles and have installed pickets on the highways. Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) spokesperson Brigadier General Dipak Gurung said traffic flow was near normal due to efficient security management on the highways. He urged the people to travel without any fear. Further, the RNA has launched massive operation along the highways that like Kathmandu to other district to foil the Maoist plans. Several task forces of RNA’s special forces and other units are rigorously patrolling the areas likely to be used by the Maoists as entry-point to the highway, while aerial patrol is supporting the ground troops. “The duration of the operation will last on the situation at hand. It may finish in a week or may go on for months,” said Brigadier General Dilip Rana. The Himalayan Times daily reports.

AI Team Heads To Nepalgunj To Meet Maoist Victims

Amnesty International’s delegation team led by Irene Khan, secretary general of AI, visited the United Nation’s office and the central jail in Kathmandu on Saturday (February 12). The team later left for Nepalgunj to meet human rights defenders and Maoist victims. It is also slated to visit Biratnagar to “gauge the impact” of the Maoist blockade on people outside the capital. Following their return to the capital, the team is expected to meet the Royal Nepalese Army chief, Home Minister and Chief Justice, according to Rameshwar Nepal, deputy director of AI-Nepal. The team is seeking audience with the King as well. The Himalayan Times daily reports.

Security Forces Foil Maoist Attack In Kailali

Security sources have said that they have foiled attempt by the Maoists to attack government offices in Dhangadhi city of Kailali district. The army has said that the security forces repelled the Maoists who tried to attack the government offices like district police, district administration, regional police office, ward police office and banks. After midnight on Wednesday (February 9), around 300 Maoists had started firing, the reports said. Five police personnel have died in the attack. A security personnel said that at least one dozen Maoists were killed in the attack. The Maoists, however, were able to free over 100 inmates after the attack in the district prison. Meanwhile, reports added that five Maoists – 3 in Dailekh and 2 in Arghakhanchi district – have been killed in separate incidents. Leading dailies reports.

International Community Coming Together Against Maoists

Nine days after the King took over the administration of the country, the high-pitched reaction by the foreign governments against the move is gradually receding, particularly because of their shared stand vis-à-vis the Maoists. However, they have continued to put forth their stress on human rights, civil and political freedom and press freedom. Following the royal proclamation on February 1, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United Nations had opposed the move but China and Pakistan supported it terming it as ‘internal matter.’ In recent days, the new Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey has met with the ambassadors of various countries in order to convince them that this was “an act of compulsion.” “They will understand if we can make them realize the situation,” said Durga Prasad Bhattarai, foreign ministry spokesperson. In fact, the efforts of last one week has been able to make India tone down its initial harsh reaction. This was evident by the remarks made by India’s Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Bangalore, India on Thursday where he said that although the changes have affected multiparty democracy in Nepal, the Indo-Nepal traditional relations will continue. He added that since Nepalese Maoists had links with Indian extremist Naxalite outfits, deterioration of security situation in Nepal would directly affect India. He also said that supports to the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) will continue and that there would be no review about this. Mukherjee added that RNA chief has also written a letter addressed to Indian army chief requesting for continued support. Because of Maoist challenge, the international community are supportive of the Nepalese establishment but they have continued to voice for the press, civil and political freedom as well. Leftist parties in India are reported to be organizing a conference on political freedom in Nepal on February 24. Meanwhile, Rastriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) – the ideological wing of the Indian Opposition Party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has welcomed and supported the King’s decision. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports.

Seven Leaders Released From House Arrest

The government has released seven political leaders from the house arrest. Those released include former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, former PM Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) leader Sahana Pradhan, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) president Pashupati SJB Rana, Nepal Worker and Peasant Party (NWPP) president Narayan Man Bijukchhe, Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) president Badri Prasad Mandal, and NSP (Anandi Devi) president Anandi Devi Singh. Radio Nepal reports.

Comedian In Custody For Alleged Sexual Abuse

Comedian and popular singer Prakash Ojha is in police custody on charges that he engaged in sexual abuse of young girls. According to police, Singh Durbar ward police office arrested Ojha some days ago and handed him over to the Women and Children cell of the Crime Investigation Department at the police headquarters. The cell took action after locals of Inaruwa, Sunsari (home district of Ojha) filed a complaint charging Ojha with sexually abusing girls and recording them on videotape. Locals charged him with luring children, teenagers and young girls with promises of giving them a part in “Tite Kareli” – a comic teleserial being produced by him for a private television channel. The Himalayan Times daily reports.

Rs 160 Million Remittance In A Single Day

In the past few days, banks and financial institutes are receiving remittances worth Rs 160 million every day. After the telephone service and internet opened, the volume of remittance grew substantially. Earlier, Rs 120 million used to be received everyday. According to Pradumna Pokharel, trade development chief of the Nabil Bank, has said that the receipt of remittance amount has increased by 30 percent since Tuesday (February 8). Similar increase has been noticed in the remittance received by Western Union – international money transfer agency – and IME (International Money Exchange). Authorities say that the receipt of remittance could further increase in the days ahead since many Nepalese overseas workers might not have sent their money after knowing about communication disruption last week. Kantipur daily reports.

40 Persons In Custody, House Arrest

According to spokesperson of Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) Brigadier General Dipak Kumar Gurung, around 40 persons are currently under custody or house arrest in the capital. “The rumors that hundreds have been arrested are baseless,” he said, adding that some of the leaders have been put under house arrest for their own security. Gurung also rubbished reports of wide-scale clashes or violence in other parts of the country in the past one week. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports.

NHRC Chairman Hopes For Better Rights Protection

The chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Nayan Bahadur Khatri has expressed hope that there would be better protection and promotion of human rights since King Gyanendra, in his royal proclamation, has stated that all organs of the state should be mobilized for human rights protection. Inaugurating the regional office of NHRC in Biratnagar, Khatri said that the commission would continue to inform about human rights violations; point towards mistakes, train and provide expert counsel to the government bodies. “This will help the government bodies to carry out their duties,” he said. Kantipur daily reports.

‘Mero Mobile’ To Start From Mid-April

Officials of the first private sector mobile phone operator Spice Cells have said that they would start their service under the brand name “Mero Mobile” (My Mobile) beginning the new year 2062 (mid April 2005). Spice Nepal would utilize two bands GSM 900 and 1800 for their service. “The quality of service would be better by using two bands,” said Indra Subedi, chief administrative officer of the company. The company plans to introduce both prepaid and post-paid services. The company also plans to set up 150 base stations in the valley alone. It also is planning to make the receiving calls free. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports.

RNA Dismisses Rights Abuser, Sentences Him To Prison

As per the recommendations made by the military court, the government has decided to dismiss major Ram Mani Pokharel from the service and sentenced him to two years of imprisonment on charges of using “unnecessary force” during the Doramba incident. In August 2002, the security forces team led by Major Pokharel had raided a Maoist hideout in Doramba, Ramechhap killing 19 Maoists. Likewise, the RNA has also court martialled an RNA Jamadar and demoted him by one post; it has also recommended action against a police inspector for not giving proper advice. Leading dailies report.

Rana Urges Cadres To Wait For Party Decision

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) president Pashupati SJB Rana has asked his leaders and cadres to stay restrained till the party’s central committee meeting comes up with its official stand on the King’s February 1 move. Issuing a press statement, Rana said the party could not take its official stance on the royal move as he was placed under house arrest for some days after February 1. The statement said the party would make public its stance only after analyzing the national and international events that unfolded since February 1. The Himalayan Times daily reports.