FRONT PAGERS

Ideological difference intensifies within Maoists

There was difference of opinion among the top Maoist leaders regarding the conducting of the People’ War. There is also a debate between the Maoist leader Comrade Prachanda and Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai on the strategy of running the People’s War.

Prachanda claims that they can reach their goal by killing the people and he favours violence against individuals. But Dr. Bhattarai thinks violence against individuals creates a negative image of the movement on the people, thus should be renounced. He thinks the movement should be led as a ideological movement to gain the support of the people.

But Bhattarai’s thinking is in minority in the party. However, Bhattarai is raising his voice of ideological shift after the four years of the People’s War failed to make significant impact on the people.

Till now those killed by the Maoists consist of only the simple folks of the villages and the Maoist are taking vengeance against them on   political ideology.

The personal difference among the top two leaders has created a rift within the Maoist party. the difference among the top Maoist leaders on how to push ahead with their movement.

However, the Maoists have intensified their violent campaign after the general election in the country and the formation of the majority government of the Nepali Congress.

They are killing people in the villages on political prejudices and on charges of being bourgeoisie and oppressor. They have even conducted their own kind of election and tried to run their own administration in some districts of western Nepal.

Many of the elected officials in those places have fled their villages.

(Asan Bazar, August 28, Saturday)

Talks break down stalemate continues

Till late Saturday evening there was no sign that the stalemate about the parliamentary proceeding would be over. The House of Representatives was adjourned for three days after the all the opposition parties walked out of the House.

They have demanded a parliamentary committee to probe the irregularities in the general elections.  The opposition parties, especially the UML, have said that they will not let the parliamentary session proceed until their demand is met.

However leaders of both the treasury and the UML have started negotiations. But the Nepali Congress is firm in its stance that no such committee will be formed.

“The election was conducted by a coalition of three parties, which included the UML. Thus there was no possibility of the rampant irregularities as claimed by that party,” Chiranjibi Wagle, one of the Congress MPs, talking part in the talks said last night. Now, it is upto them how the parliamentary session will proceed, he said.

But the UML is also adamant that it will not budge from its stance.

Ishwor Pokharel of the UML says there were numerous cases of irregularities, and claims that the investigation of those cases will help strengthening the multi-party democracy.  He even warned that the opposition will take other steps if the ruling party does not accept the demand.

UML MP Subhash Nembang, one of UML’s representatives in the talks, says they are demanding this only to make a guidelines for the future elections. Nembang said if the demand is not accepted today’s (Sunday’s) session will also be postponed.

(Aajako Samarchapatra, August 29, Sunday)

Despite walk out, UML’s demand will not be fulfilled

The UML again has shown its undemocratic character by putting a stumbling bloc in the parliament before the government completes its 100 days.

This is not the first time the UML has shown its character. After the first general election in 1991, the UML had announced that it would fell the majority Nepali Congress government within one month of its formation.

But after gaining some experience, the UML had pledged that it would let the government work unhindered for at least 100 days.

After the general election about four months ago, the UML had thanked all for the completion of elections successfully. It had even said that it would accept the results without any reservation and also said it would gladly accept the people’s verdict.

The party’s secretary general Madhav Kumar Nepal then had said  the UML had lost about two dozen seats due to the death of the party’s president Manmohan Adhikary, and it lost another equal number of seats due to the split of the party.

However last Sunday, Nepal suddenly said there were irregularities in 20 constituencies and demanded a probe committee.

If the UML had not put the obstruction, the budget would have been passed after the Prime Minister’s giving his reply today (August 29).

Why did the UML take its words back? According to a Left intellectual the main reason behind the demand of a probe committee is to create a rift within the Nepali Congress, even if it would put the UML naked on the street.

The general election was conducted with Girija Prasad Koirala on the chair of the government. The UML thinks if it can make Bhattarai agree to the demand it would create a rift between Bhattarai and Koirala.

Another reason could be, after the 1996 local body election when the UML-RPP coalition was in power, the Nepali Congress fought in the parliament to form a probe committee against the irregularities by the then government and was successful. The UML has taken it as an insult, and wants a revenge of that.

Thirdly, barring some grave incident, the Nepali Congress will head the next election also. So, the UML is afraid the Congress may take advantage of the loopholes in the election system. And one UML source says it wants to block those holes.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress has said there is no way it will concede to the demand.

(Deshantar, August 29, Sunday)

Nepalese eye lenses receive international recognition

Eye lenses (intra-ocular lenses) manufactured by Tilganga Eye Centre has received international recognition for quality control. This is the first time a Nepalese product has received such a recognition.

The eye lenses have already received ISO 9002, EN 46002 and C-mark certificates and there is growing demand for lenses produced by the Centre in the international market, which include Europe and America.

The cost of the lens is US$ 6 to 9, whereas foreign manufactured lenses cost Rs. 5,000 (about US$ 90) in Nepal.

The Centre established with the Cooperation of the Australian Government has been producing Intra-ocular lenses for the last three years. In the first year about 5,000 pieces of lenses were exported. The lenses are used in patients with cataracts after operation.

(Aajako Samacharpatra, August 29, Sunday)

Immigration office itself allows in foreign criminals

The immigration office itself is responsible for letting in foreign criminals legally by giving them visa. Director General of the Immigration Department Sushil Shumsher Rana is behind this.

It is now being revealed that  Rana has earned millions by giving visa to Tibetan refugees and by registering them as refugees.

Rana openly demands money from criminals from several countries including Tibet and Afghanistan for entry visa into Nepal. Rana is fully assisted by other officials of the immigration department mainly, chief immigration officer Chhetra Bahadur Bhanari, deputy director general Umesh Prasad Pokharel.

Staff of the immigration department openly say Rana let in criminals on forged passports for Rs. 800,000 per person. They say home ministers get a share of Rs. 200,000, home secretary 200,000, himself 200,000 and Bhandari and Pokharel get Rs. 100,000 each.

Those who can not or do not pay are imprisoned. Two Tibetans Lopsang Sherpa and Lopsang Dawa Sherpa have been in prison for the four months because they could not pay. According to the immigration law a person can be put in custody for only 25 days for investigation and the case should be finalised  within 45 days.

On the other hand, in May 7 Chinese coming into Nepal on Japanese passport by Thai Airways were let in after they paid the amount. Those Chinese were said to be members of international criminal organisations and there even was a report on this. They were even looked for by the Interpol and it was even requested that they should be deported to their country through the embassy of their country. But Rana without investigating it on their embassyies let them go after getting the money.

According to a staff of the immigration department, only two months back Rana had  let in eight Pakistani criminals after getting Rs. 500,000 from each of them.

Even Afghani nationals are allowed in  for month. Recently, a Afghani national was recently deported back to Nepal from Dubai. He had reached there after getting a visa in Nepal.

Several staff of the department had even reported to the Home Ministry about Rana's activities. The police after investigation had even found Rana guilty and recommended the department to take strong action. But a investigation committee of the  Home Ministry had only recommended him to be transferred. Even this has not been done.

(Chalphal,  August 29, Sunday)

Nepal’s conspiracy against Oli

General Secretary of the UML, Madhav Kumar Nepal has started a serious conspiracy against Khadga Oli, the influential leader of the party. After the party broke up, Oli has played instrumental role in making Nepal the General Secretary of the party. Oli may not have made Nepal the party’s general secretary had he known that Nepal would conspire against him.

The party workers are anxious that the tussle between them may push the party into another crisis. Political analysts think Nepal is trying push Oli into minority in the party and to have a complete hold in the party. Now, Oli is said to be more popular among the party workers.

Both the leaders were active to give tickets to their supporters for the general election. However, Oli succeeded and majority of his supporters have been elected to the parliament. However, Oli for the sake of party unity, he consented to make Nepal the party’s leader in the parliament

But Nepal was trying to make his move to establish himself the most powerful man in the party. It was Nepal who decided to vote for the nominated MP in the National Assembly election. Recently, he has started seeking clarification from those who, he thinks, are not his supporters within the party.

Now, Nepal has called the meeting of the Rastriya Parishad (National Assembly) of the party. The Assembly is considered the second powerful and important congregation of the party after the national convention. He is now trying to use the Assembly to sideline his oppositions, mainly Oli.

(Asan Bazar, August 28, Saturday)

Rickshaws: luxury rides

Rickshaws, Kathmandu’s old means of transport before the buses and taxis come have become a luxury for the people themselves.

Most of the rickshaw-pullers in Kathmandu valley are illiterate but they can easily communicate with foreigners. Seeing any foreigners walking in Hanumandhoka area they say - Hello sir, please come only 50 rupees. They try their best to convince foreigners to use their rickshaws.

Most of the streets in Kathmandu are narrow and bumpy. So, rickshaw pullers wait tourists in Hanumandhoka and Thamel are where the streets are plain. However the fare of rickshaws is not fixed.

Bir Bahadur Tamang, one of the rickshaw puller in Kathmandu valley says that he earns up to Rs. 250 per day after paying Rs. 80 to the rickshaw owner.

Presently, there are 472 rickshaws in Kathmandu valley. However, no new rickshaw is allowed for registration in Kathmandu valley.

As Nepalese cannot afford a rickshaw ride, rickshaws are a popular means of transportation of tourists.

(Bishwodeep, Saturday, August 28)

UML training MPs to fight in parliament

The main opposition party in the parliament, CPN(UML) has a mentality of resorting to fight physically as well if needed. With this in mind, it has made its MPs aware. It  has even started giving special training to it’s MPs to play effective role in parliament.

All the MPs except the members of the standing committee and central committee of the party are informed to attend the training programme. One of the trainee said that the training has been given considering the possible tussles in the parliament.

(Gatibidhi, Saturday, August 28)

Maoists call Sadbhawana, RPP and UML against NC

The Maoists party has publicly requested the Nepal Communist Party (UML) to lead the movement against the Nepali Congress.

Maoists fear that if the Nepali Congress and the UML unite against them, they would virtually be finished. So, it is their strategy to isolate Nepali Congress from UML and other parties. The Maoists have even signalled that it could join hands with the RPP and the Sadhvabana parties if that helps in  making the Nepali Congress alone against them. Politburo member of Maoists and chairman of United Peoples’ Front Baburam Bhattarai has made it public in several articles published recently.

(Gatibidhi, Saturday, August 28)

Civil servants' movement fails

The movement of the civil servants has failed. The civil servants who were expecting a considerable increment in their salary, were forced to content with an meagre increase in their allowance, and the civil servants have felt insulted. In the past, allowances were given on the basis of salary. This time, however, the government made the flat increase of Rs. 300 for every civil servant. But no one has said that the relief given is enough.

The Employees’ Association were demanding to increase the salary considering the price index prepared by Nepal Rastra Bank, central bank of Nepal. That demand is not fulfilled.

(Gatibidhi, Saturday, August 28)

Bhutanese giving trouble to local people

The Bhutanese refugee problem has been creating troubles to not only Nepal but also to the foreign countries. Nepal, which itself is facing severe unemployment problem, has been burdened with about 100,000 Bhutanese refugees. This has also created severe population pressure in the eastern part of Nepal. On the other hand, Bhutanese refugees have become trouble to the international donor agencies who have been feeding then and spending on their clothes, foods, health service and education.

Presently, many Bhutanese refugees can been seen in eastern part of the country seeking jobs. Most of them are non-registered refugees because of lack of evidences. However, they are taking away jobs from Nepalese. The Bhutanese refugees inside the camps are also found working and seeking jobs outside the camps for far less money that a Nepali would demand.

Naresh Pradhan, one of the refugees living in camp says, “We have to live as prisons in the camp. Sometimes we wishing eating fish-meat but such things are not available in camp. To eat such things and for entertainment, money is needed.”

(Saptahik, Friday, August 27)

Sexual exploitation of girl children

Sunita Giri of Kavre was raped by her grand-father when she was only one and half years. A three-year-old child was raped by a 18-year-old boy Dambar Shrestha in Govindapur VDC of Morang.  Similarly , a 55-year-old Kul Bahadur Rai of Panchathar district raped a six-year-old daughter of Raj Bahadur Khaling of the same place.

More and more incidence of rape have begun to come to light. Not only the girls, boys have also become victim of sexual exploitation. Most of girls were raped by their relatives or the ones known to them. In 1998, there were 119 incidence of rape, of which 70 per cent were girls below 17 years of age.

Thirteen cases of rape were registered in CWIN help line, which was started last year. Hundreds of cases of sexual exploitation have been registered. One of the problems of fighting those crimes is the lack of legal provision. The act to control such  activities are virtually obsolete.

(Patrika, Thursday, August 26)

Competition between NC & UML to reveal secrets

The MPs themselves have begun revealing the characteristics of the parliamentary system. The CPN-UML, which did not raise the issue of irregularities in election when it was in power, has now asked for a parliamentary inquiry committee to look into the irregularities in the last general election. They even seized the rostrum and made the parliamentary stalled for three days. This has proved the Maoists’ proclamation that the parliament and its elections are nothing but a drama of the oppressors to remain in power. The UML’s demand has put the parliamentary democracy in a grave dilemma.

This has also revealed the UML’ dual character. However, the Nepali Congress is trying to make the UML to remain quiet, saying it would reveal each other’s secrets. The election was conducted by the coalition government of the NC and the UML.

Now, what will the UML do? In the past the UML had brought out an impeachment motion against the chief justice. It had also brought a motion on Kalapani. It was even accused that the motion on Kalapani was brought with Indian grand design. However, the UML stepped meekly stepped back of both these proposal. The UML has the habit of sitting down quietly after being told by his foreign masters. So, it can not be said that the UML will again let all its stances and demands.

(Jana-Ahwan, Friday, August 27)

Govt. in difficulty just after three months

As the Bhattarai government is towards completing its honey moon, it is under attack from all sides.

The ruling party president has publicly said more than once that the government has failed to gain momentum. The Congress affiliated associations have also warned of street protests against the government.

In the mean time, Shailaja Acharya, former vice-president of the party and former deputy prime minister has launched campaign against corruption and groupism within the party. And, as if it was not enough, the main opposition UML has started creating problems in the parliament.

It is no more secret that party president Girija Prasad Koirala is dissatisfied with government’s performance. Though the communication line between the party president and prime minister has been kept open, president Koirala has been pointing at the government for its inefficiency and complacency.

In the latest incident, speaking at a programme organised by Tarun Dal, the NC’s youth wing, Koirala asked, “Why is it that the majority government has been unable to create zeal and enthusiasm within the party?” He also instructed Tarun Dal members to work for creating zeal among people. He also said that he was ready to do any support to you. This is the first comment made by Koirala following the formation of a committee to co-ordinate between government and party.

The Nepal Students Union, which is also affiliated to the Nepali Congress, has presented a memorandum to the government on the government’s decision to make 20,000 temporary teachers permanent. But why the student union has been opposing the decision which has not been opposed by the opposition parties? This is not an easy question to answer.

(Samakalin, Thursday, August 26)

Former NC MPs seeking their role

Former MPs of the Nepali Congress have become active in search of their existence and identity within the party and politics. A secret meeting of former Nepali Congress MPs was held last week to discuss on the former MPs’ role following the announcement of the date of party’s general assembly.

(Samakalin, Thursday, August 26)

Nepal has half a million epilepsy patients

Nepal is estimated to have about 460,000 epilepsy patients. Of them the women’s number is almost twice of that of men. This figure is several times higher than that of the world average. The world average is  11 to 134 per 100,000 population. But in Nepal it is 2,333 per 100,000 population.

In Nepal 14 per cent are epileptic due to lack of blood circulation in the brain, 8.7 per cent due to encephalon, 4 per cent due to cancer, 2 per cent due to tape worm and 2 per cent due to injuries to the brain.

About 30 per cent of the patient get well even without any treatment, but in 67 to 82 per cent the disease might recur.

(Aajako Samacharpatra, August 29, Sunday)

ML to organise national convention

Nepal Communist Party (ML) leadership, which has started a campaign to strengthen the party, are now preparing for the party’s national convention. The national convention will be held in Pokhara from September 6-8, 1999. The convention will review on party’s position after the formation of the party and the election. It will decide the party’s future programmes.

(Samakalin, Thursday, August 26)

UML's opportunistic character

More four months after the general election, UML has shown the opportunist character of the communists. When they did not get any issue to be raised in parliament, they raised the issue of rigging in parliament.

 During the period, UML was a partner in the government. Now after losing the election, the UML instead of concentrating on issues of public interests in the parliament they are trying to hinder the parliamentary proceedings.

(Nepal Bani, Thursday, August 26)

Sujata's attempt to loot RNAC

Sujata Koirala, who think RNAC as her inherited property, is again active to loot the flag carrier. The party president's daughter who controls the remote from behind,  is making another covert plan, and many air mafias, including Bijay Giri is supporting her.

According to sources, she has now creating a rumour about contesting the election from Morang's No. 1 constituency and become the Civil Aviation Minister. She now getting a commission of Rs. 2.4 million a month by supplying spare parts of the planes and helicopter to  RNAC. Sujata, who was able to amass tens of million by selling two Boeing 727s of RNAC, was making a good money through leasing airplanes. However, when the present  Civil Aviation minister Bijaya Gachchedhar decided to stop leasing planes and instead buy one, she, thinking the tap of source has stopped for ever, is hell bent on removing Gachchedhar. He has even approached Prime Minister Bhattarai to remove the minister.

It might be mentioned that it was because of Sujata's involvement that Hong Kong Rana the then RNAC chairman and Yam Lal Kandel, the UML minister for Civil Aviation had escaped a jail term on the Chase air scandal.

(Chalphal, August 29, Sunday)