The Maoists have withdrawn the blockade of the Kathmandu valley and other district headquarters until Friday.

A statement issued by the Maoists said they called off the blockade till the first meeting of the reinstated House of Representatives (HoR) considering the appeal of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala to do so.

The party has said that it will continue the blockades if the first meeting of the parliament did not take the decision of holding election of the constituent assembly unconditionally and other positive decisions.

The Maoists called the blockade from Tuesday expressing dissatisfaction over the reinstatement of the HoR, instead of holding the election of the constituent assembly.

King Gyanendra reinstated the dissolved HoR on Monday as per the demand of the agitating seven political parties.

Earlier, in a statement, Koirala has urged the Maoists to call off the general strike in the wake of the new political development of the country.

The SPA selected Koirala for the post of Prime Minister of the reinstated HoR.

The SPA also decided that the main agenda of the reinstated parliament would be to hold elections to the constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. nepalnews.com pb Apr 26 06

The European Union (EU) and Australia have welcomed the king’s announcement of reinstatement of the House of Representatives and his decision to step down from active politics.

In a statement on Wednesday, the EU, one of the largest donors to Nepal, said it “now looks to the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) to exercise responsible leadership in the current tense situation.”

The release further states, “In view of the meeting of the House of Representatives announced for 28 April, the EU calls on the leaders of the SPA further to develop and operationalise the road map for democracy and peace.”

The release further reads, “Action is needed without delay to restore peace in the country and to put in place a democratic, accountable government.”

“The EU expects all security forces to refrain from the use of force against pro-democracy demonstrations and to be ready to work under a democratic government as soon as one is formed,” the EU said.

The EU has also asked the Maoists to lay down arms and join the mainstream politics immediately. “The EU continues to urge the transition of the Maoists into the democratic political mainstream, but this process must include the renunciation of violence and the decommissioning of weapons,” the release further said.

The EU has said, “It welcomes the recognition that sovereignty in Nepal belongs to the people and fully supports the Nepali people in their aspirations for peace and democracy.”

The EU has further stated that it was ready to work with democratic government in the days to come.

Australia also welcomed King Gyanendra’s announcement on April 24 to reinstate the Parliament.

A press statement issued by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer said, “Australia supports Nepal’s return to multiparty democracy and calls on the political parties to cooperate to bring about good governance and effective government services delivered across the country.”

The statement also asked the Maoists to cease armed violence, return to mainstream politics and support the rebuilding of peace, democracy and social development in Nepal.

“Australia will continue to monitor developments closely,” the statement adds. nepalnews.com ia/pb Apr 26 06

The World Food Programme (WFP) has urged all parties to the present crisis to work together to see that critical food aid programmes and other humanitarian operations can resume, and to work to avert a larger food security crisis.

A press statement issued by the WFP said, “With road travel severely curtailed, schools shut and major cities under curfew for the last three weeks, the United Nations World Food Programme in Nepal has not been able to deliver critically needed food aid to communities around the country, including to over half a million school children.”

The statement further said that while more than 100,000 Bhutanese refugees living in eastern Nepal have been receiving supplies after WFP appealed to all parties to allow safe passage to food convoys traveling to the region, most operations in other parts of Nepal have come to a standstill in the last few weeks.

“Before this political crisis, WFP was providing food to over one million persons living in severely food insecure areas of the country,” the statement adds.

As well as providing food to children in schools, WFP runs food-for-work programmes that provide rations to 300,000 people, allowing communities where food is scarce to build roads to access markets and nearby towns. Another 17,000 mothers and young children are provided with food as part of nutrition and health programmes, the statement said, adding, “All these programmes have been under threat with the closure of roads and other transport networks.”

Working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), WFP also provides food to 105,000 Bhutanese refugees living in camps in eastern Nepal who are totally dependent on external assistance to meet their basic needs.

“The crisis has put vulnerable communities in danger,” the statement quoted Anthony Banbury, WFP Regional Director for Asia as saying.

“Children have not been fed in schools, mothers and pregnant women have not received nutritional support and communities have not received food to support their poorest members. We hope that Monday’s political developments will allow us to quickly resume food deliveries and distributions,” she added. nepalnews.com pb Apr 26 06

The major newspapers published from Kathmandu on Wednesday have welcomed, some with caution, the royal announcement to reinstate the lower house of the parliament terming it as the beginning of the implementation of the Seven Party Alliance (SPA)’s roadmap towards the restoration of peace and democracy in the county.

Nepal Samacharpatra daily, known for its pro-palace leaning until sometime back, in its editorial entitled ‘Congratulations to the Nepali people’, said the political leadership should address the demands of the people raised during street demonstrations. The daily further said the parties should be able to fulfill the aspirations of the people and bring the Maoists into political mainstream at the earliest possible.

Annapurna Post, another private sector Nepali daily, welcomed the royal proclamation and warned the leaders to stick with their roadmap for the establishment of peace in the county. The daily further stated that the credit for the success of the movement should also go to the Maoists who have never hindered during their whole course of the movement. “All should jointly go for elections to the Constituent Assembly,” the editorial said. The daily further stressed on the need for immediate ceasefire from both the sides and start dialogue for restoration of peace. “Learning from the past, the Maoists and the parties should be able to grab this opportunity in the best interests of the Nepali people. This will be good to both the parties,” the daily said.

In its editorial entitled “New Dawn,” The Himalayan Times daily, wrote,” The royal acceptance of the alliance’s roadmap means that the Nepalis will now carve out their own destiny, with the 1990 Constitution working as an interim arrangement.”

In its special front-page editorial, Kantipur daily, which is known for providing wide coverage to the pro-democracy movement, opined that the second ‘People’s Movement’ had ensured an important political changes in the country’s history. “The forthcoming parliament will not be long. But it should not lag behind in fulfilling the aim of the people’s movement,” the daily said. In a separate editorial, the daily wrote, “The first sitting of the parliament should identify the priority areas of development and look for resources for that purpose.”

Referring to Girija Prasad Koirala as the commander of the people’s movement, The Kathmandu Post daily, in its special front-page editorial said (Koirala) had a greater role to play to guide the country and establish enduring peace by bringing the Maoists into mainstream politics. “We also wish to warn Koirala that the people are watching him and the SPA government carefully, and will not excuse any mistake or anything done that would promote nepotism, favoritism, corruption and sycophancy,” the daily said.

The state-owned daily Gorkhapatra, that had sharply criticized the people’s movement and agitation of the parties until the few days back, said — in its special front-page editorial signed by chief editor of the daily Uddhav Upadhyay– that the royal proclamation was victory on the part of the Nepali people and it was the time that the leaders should go forward with development plans and formulation of strategies for state restructuring.

In its editorial entitled “Power of the People,” Rajdhani daily—also known for its pro-palace leanings– asked the leaders to respect the aspirations of the martyrs of this movement. “Change in the government was not the demand of Nepalis. It is the restoration of peace in the country,” the daily stressed.

Weekly newspapers have also welcomed the reinstatement of the dissolved House of Representatives and have cautioned that unless the issue of Maoist insurgency is addressed, the decade-old conflict in Nepal could not be resolved.

Well circulated Jana Astha weekly, in its editorial, “Don’t sacrifice goat at Baluwatar (the PM’s official residence)”, said the new government should announce the compensation package to the injured victims and families of martyrs of the people’s movement. nepalnews.com ia Apr 26 06

Various organizations have hailed the royal proclamation of His Majesty the King to reinstate the dissolved House of Representatives (HoR) to give political way opt of the problems of the country.

A joint statement issued by the Nepal Nationalistic Association America, Foundation of the Nepalese in America and Traditional Religion Service and Cultural Centre said that His Majesty the King took the decision as per the wish of the people and expressed gratitude to His Majesty the King for taking such bold step.

The organizations have expressed the belief that His Majesty will continue to work for the welfare of people.

Similarly, a statement issued by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), an umbrella organization of entrepreneurs has also said that the royal move is a positive step to solve the problems of the country.

The FNCCI also appealed all to be aware not to further complicate the problem and expressed commitment to extend full support to the new government.

Likewise, Christian Effort for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation (CEPJAR) said that the King reinstated the parliament through political decision and said that further political decisions should be taken to resolve problems of the country including Maoist insurgency.

The statement said that if election of the constituent assembly is the means to resolve the Maoist insurgency and restore sustainable peace in the country, all should be ready for it and added that it is impossible to restore sustainable peace in the country without addressing the demands raised by the Maoists.

The statement also asked leaders not to repeat mistakes they had committed in the past and lead the country towards the path of peace and development. nepalnews.com pb Apr 26 06

Speaker of the House of Representative Tara Nath Ranabhat has resigned from his post.

Ranabhat’s announced to resign from the post after a meeting with senior leaders of the seven-party alliance (SPA) Wednesday afternoon.

Nepali Congress (NC) president and prime minister designate Girija Prasad Koirala, NC (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar were present at the meeting.

Issuing a statement, Ranabhat said he resigned from the post in order to pave way for fresh election of the speaker. “In the changed scenario after the instatement of the House of Representatives by His Majesty King, I have resigned from my post so that new the parliament could be able to elect the speaker in accordance with the fresh mandate,” he said.

His resignation comes two days before the first session of the reinstated parliament. The SPA is said to have been pressuring him to resign from the post.

Meanwhile, SPA sources said UML leader and former law minister Subash Nemwang is set to be elected as the new speaker of the House. The SPA leadership has already reached an agreement on this, the source added. nepalnews.com mk/by Apr 26 06

Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) soldiers have shot and killed six innocent civilians and wounded two dozen others in Belbari area of the eastern district of Morang.

RNA solders sprayed bullets on the local residents who had gone to protest in front of the security base camp in Belbari this afternoon after army men allegedly raped and killed a 22-year-old local girl, Sapana Gurung, last night, reports quoting eyewitnesses said.

Six villagers died on the spot while at least 24 others received bullet injuries. The injured persons have been undergoing treatment at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences and some of them are in critical condition.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in a statement this evening confirmed the death of six civilians but claimed that the security forces opened fire in self-defence as the crowd turned violent and tried to vandalise the security post. The statement also said there was “firing from inside the crowd”.

According to the statement, officials had convinced a protesting crowd of around 100 people, in the presence of human rights activists and civil society activists, of an inquiry into the death of Gurung in the morning but at around 2:00 in the afternoon a crowd started breaking the fences and tried to snatch the weapons of the sentries, “compelling the security men to open fire”.

The MoD said six persons were killed on the spot while 11 others were injured in the incident. nepalnews.com mk Apr 26 06

After nearly three weeks of disruption due to the general strike called by the seven opposition parties, vehicular movement resumed along major highways around the country from Wednesday.

Officials at the traffic police post at Nagdhunga said 113 passenger buses left Kathmandu for districts until 2:00 p.m. today while few trucks and microbuses were also seen on the highway.

A number of buses and cargo trucks entered the capital from western and eastern districts, they said and informed the traffic, however, could not fully resume as the highway blockade called by the Maoists was still in place until morning.

The CPN (Maoist) in a statement this afternoon announced to call off the blockade in the Kathmandu Valley and the highways around the country until Friday.

In the capital, vehicular traffic was normal despite reports of fuel shortage. There were very few public buses and micro-buses on Tuesday but the transportation returned to normal from today.

Meanwhile, transportation services resumed in the mid-western district of Dang from today after weeks of halt due to obstructions created by the Maoists. Reports said vehicles started plying on highways after the rebels cleared the roadblocks they had placed at different places.

Vehicular movement resumed in the east-west highway as well, reports said.

However, vehicular traffic could not resume along the Arniko Highway today. The highway that links the Kathmandu Valley to Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Kavre and Ramechhap districts could not open because of the Maoist blockade, officials at the Arniko Highway Bus Entrepreneurs Committee said.

“There was Maoist blockade till morning so buses could not ply on the highway. Transportation will resume from tomorrow,” Makar Shrestha of the Committee informed Nepalnews, adding that lengthy disruption in services has caused losses worth tens of millions of rupees. nepalnews.com.mk Apr 26 06

The government resumed the mobile phone services that were snapped since Saturday afternoon in Kathmandu from Tuesday morning.

The government had disconnected both post-paid and pre-paid mobile services of Nepal Telecom (NT) and Spice Nepal Private Limited from Saturday afternoon to thwart the pro-democracy movement of the country.

The mobile phones went down as tens of thousands of people took to the Kathmandu streets on Saturday defying curfew orders and denouncing Friday’s royal proclamation.

Telecom employees had also been carrying out protests demanding immediate resumption of services.

This is the fourth time the government had snapped the mobile phone services after the February 1, 2005, royal takeover. NT officials said that net loss of Nepal’s giant telecommunication service provider has grown to Rs. 2.5 billion due to frequent disruption of services.

The NT has distributed around 500,000 mobile phone lines across the country– nearly half of the mobile lines have been distributed to in the Kathmandu Valley. nepalnews.com pb Apr 25 06

The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) has called off 19-day-old nationwide general strike with immediate effect after its key demand of restoration of the dissolved parliament was met through Monday’s royal proclamation.

The SPA has also urged the Maoists to withdraw its all type of protest programmes in the wake of new political developments.

A meeting of the top leaders of the SPA—that was held at the residence of Nepali Congress president and former premier G P Koirala—expressed sincere gratitude to all the Nepalis across the country for their active and encouraging participation in the pro-democracy movement and general strike.

Talking to reporters after the meeting of the SPA this morning, NC spokesman Krishna Sitaula said the SPA decided that the main agenda of the reinstated parliament would be to hold elections to the constituent assembly to draft a new constitution.

“After the date for elections to the constituent assembly will be announced, the Maoists will also be included in the interim government,” he said. Sitaula informed that the reinstated House of Representatives would formally urge the CPN (Maoist) to observe ceasefire.

In its first meeting after Monday’s royal proclamation, the SPA has paid rich tributes to the martyrs who lost their lives during the latest pro-democracy movement. They have vowed to extend every possible support to the families of martyrs and those who were injured or rendered handicapped during the agitation.

The SPA has also announced that the new government will constitute a high-level commission to probe into atrocities committed by the state against pro-democracy demonstrators across the country and other forms of human rights violations and that the guilty would be brought to book.

The SPA has reiterated its commitment to the 12-point understanding reached with the CPN (Maoist) and has also urged the latter to honour it.

The meeting also declared that all the “unconstitutional decisions” taken by the royal regime will be declared null and void.

Thousands of activists and supporters of the SPA had surrounded Mr. Koirala’s residence as the top leaders of the SPA were meeting this morning. Some of the activists danced and sang victory songs while others chanted slogans cautioning leadership not to forget future agenda of the movement.

Meanwhile, reports say tens of thousands of people have taken to streets across the country from early Tuesday welcoming the reinstatement of the dissolved parliament. There are reports of lighting lamps by local people in Dharan, Dhankuta and other parts of the country.

People have come out in the streets to take part in victory rallies and life is gradually returning to normalcy in the capital, Kathmandu, after the crippling 19-day-long strike and prolonged curfew in various parts of the country. nepalnews.com by Apr 25 06