People jumped to the streets immediately after the royal proclamation out of excitement and rapture, in the capital on Monday.
The streets of Kathmandu reverberated with merrymaking and whistles.
People started pouring into the streets in the Capital and other major cities of the country to welcome the reinstatement of the dissolved House of Representatives.
According to reports, thousands of people took to the street in Nepalgunj, Pokhara, Chitwan celebrating the new political development.
People came into the rally chanting slogans, “This is the people’s victory!”, “Long live brave martyrs… ”
The seven political parties that are planning to organize a Ring Road centred protest programme is scheduled to convert the rally into triumph rally.
Life in the Capital and other cities gradually coming to the normalcy after 20 days following the general strike called by the seven political parties.
At least 15-pro democracy activists were killed and 5,144 hurt in the pro-democracy movement of the country.
The King through his televised royal proclamation of Monday reinstated the dissolved House of Representatives as per the demand of the seven agitating political parties. nepalnews.com pb Apr 25 06
A recent survey has estimated that there are some 720,000 mentally retarded persons in Nepal.
A survey carried out by Mentally Impaired Welfare Organisation said that of the total victims, 40 per cent children below fourteen years age are mentally retarded.
It is said that 10 per cent people out of the total population are disabled.
The state run news agency Rastriya Samachar Samiti quoted, General Secretary of the National Disable Federation Nepal Mitra Lal Sharma as saying that disabled need help while eating, dressing up, sleeping and in other works, therefore the state, civic society and NGOs should work jointly to provide more facilities and extra care to the mentally impaired persons.
According to a survey, it is stated that there are 250 scientific reasons behind being mentally retarded.
Meanwhile, the Mentally Impaired Welfare Organisation from its various branches in 22 districts has been providing assistance to some 5,000 mentally impaired persons throughout the country. nepalnews.com pb Apr 25 06
At least three Nepali workers died in Mamoura of Qatar on Wednesday in an accident that took place in an underground drainage.
Nepalqatar.com, a leading Nepali news portal of Qatar quoted the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Qatar as saying that the deceased have been identified as Til Bahadur Karki of Jhapa, Ram Chandra Mahara of Siraha and Ujir Bahadur Ejim of Taplejung.
“Although the exact cause of their death is still unknown, they must have choked to death after inhaling toxic gases formed in the underground drain,” according to reports.
According to the Gulf Times, a leading newspaper of Qatar, the Nepali Ambassador to Qatar, Shyamananda Suman, visited the incident site as well as the morgue of Hamad General Hospital, where the bodies are kept.
After visiting the accident site, the ambassador said that it was sheer negligence that led to the tragedy.
“Oxygen masks must be provided to those working in deep excavations which could be filled with toxic gases,” Gulf Times quoted the ambassador as saying, adding, “I will take up the matter with the authorities to ensure that all companies adhere to adequate safety measures.”
He also hoped that the government would investigate the matter and find out how and why so many people died. nepalnews.com pb Apr 25 06
A day after the reinstatement of the dissolved parliament as per the royal proclamation, the meeting of the seven-party alliance (SPA) on Tuesday has unanimously nominated Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala to head the new government.
The 85-year-old Koirala also held the post of premier after the 1991 general elections.
Amid speculations that the SPA could witness serious differences over the issue of choosing a premier, CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and NC (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba proposed Koirala’s name to head the new government while rest of the alliance leaders supported it.
Hours after the King’s announcement to reinstate the dissolved House of the Representatives as per the demand of the seven political parties, the United States (US) has urged the King to step aside and take on a more ceremonial role in the kingdom’s governance.
“The US salutes the people of Nepal’s courage and resilience in their struggle for democracy. The King’s speech in Kathmandu calls for reinstatement of Parliament. We believe that he should now hand power over to the parties and assume a ceremonial role in his country’s governance,” the US State Department said last night.
King Gyanendra took absolute power after sacking the government in February last year saying it had failed to tackle the decade long Maoist insurgency.
In a statement, Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli urged Nepal’s political parties to step up to their responsibilities and cooperate “to turn people’s demands for democracy and good governance into reality”. “Through these steps, stability, peace and democracy can be restored in Nepal. The United States and the international community stand ready to help,” he added.
On the Maoist insurgency, Ereli said, “The Maoists must end their violent attacks and join a peaceful political process.”
At least 15 people were killed and hundreds injured during 19-day long general strike called by the seven political parties demanding restoration of complete democracy in the country.
“We regret the loss of life and injuries that occurred in the recent demonstrations and call upon Nepal’s security forces to show the utmost restraint in responding, should any further demonstrations occur,” Ereli added. nepalnews.com pb Apr 25 06
Various political parties have hailed the royal proclamation of the King on Monday and described it as a positive step to resolve the current political problem of the country.
A meeting of the Nepali Congress hailed the royal proclamation and described the proclamation as in favour of the country and the people.
The meeting held immediately after the meeting of the seven political parties also hailed the decision of the seven party alliance to elect Girija Prasad Koirala as the new Prime Minister.
Issuing a press statement, the Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) also hailed the royal proclamation and described it as an output of the pro-democracy movement of the country.
A statement issued by the RJP chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa also urged all to work with patience to resolve complex problems of the country.
The King through his royal proclamation reinstated the dissolved House of Representatives on Monday as per the demand of the seven political parties that were protesting against the direct rule of King.
Meanwhile, issuing a press statement on Tuesday, CPN (Maoist) said that the royal proclamation failed to address the demands raised by the people.
The statement further said the reinstatement of the House of Representative is not as per the 12-point pact reached between the Maoists and political parties.
In a statement signed by Maoist supremo Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai, the Maoists have blamed the seven parties of committing a ‘historic mistake’ of taking a one-way decision to accept the reinstatement of the house.
The party also urged people to continue peaceful demonstrations to compel political parties to go for the election of the constituent assembly, as it is the only way out of the present political crisis.
The party has also announced protest programmes that include people’s mobilization and demonstrations, people’s action against suppression of their programmes and blockade to the valley and district headquarters till announcement of the election of the constituent assembly.
The first meeting of the SPA after the royal proclamation has accorded top priority to the agenda of the election of the constituent assembly. nepalnews.com pb Apr 25
BBC World Service on Monday has appointed Rabindra Mishra as the new Head of BBC Nepali Service. 39-year-old Rabindra will be is responsible for the editorial output of BBC Nepali broadcasts, staff in London and Kathmandu and contributions from freelance journalists located throughout Nepal.
Rabindra first joined BBC World service in 1995 as a producer with BBC Nepali. Later he worked on English language flagship programmes, including World Today and Newshour, and in the BBC World Service Newsroom before returning to BBC Nepali to be its Desk Editor.
“I have an excellent team to work with, both in the UK and Nepal, and I am sure we will continue to meet the expectations of our valued audience. News from Nepal is presently dominating the world headlines and accurate reporting by the BBC is, now more than ever, absolutely vital,” said Rabindra.
Before joining the BBC, Rabindra worked with Pakistan’s leading English language daily, The New International, and with Nepal Television. He has also worked as a newspaper columnist with various Nepali newspapers.
Rabindra takes over from Khagendra Nepali, BBC Nepali’s first full member of staff when he joined in 1979. He became its Head in 1996. Under Khagendra, BBC Nepali reported on many national events ranging from the killings of the Royal Family to the ongoing Maoist rebellion.
In 1999, Khagendra coordinated a fortnight of live broadcasts from Nepal for BBC Nepali’s 30th anniversary when for the first time the service met and talked to its listeners face-to-face, reporting from the length and breadth of the country. He also secured nine new FM radio partnerships in Nepal.
BBC Nepali has been serving audiences for 35 years. It is considered a valuable and respected source of news for more than three million listeners in Nepal and expatriates in India, South Asia, the Far East and the Gulf countries.
BBC Nepali programmes cover a wide spectrum of news stories and regular analyses and features on Nepalese issues. It currently broadcasts 30 minutes daily on shortwave, which is rebroadcast by nine FM stations in Nepal. There is also a growing audience of Nepalis living outside the country who go to bbcnepali.com for programmes, in text and audio. nepalnews.com by Apr 25 06
Rallies were organised in the capital and elsewhere around the country on Tuesday in support of the restoration of the dissolved House of Representatives through the royal proclamation.
In many areas, the pre-scheduled demonstrations were turned into victory rallies while several other spontaneous rallies were taken out to celebrate the re-establishment of people’s power.
In Kathmandu, huge rallies were organised in different areas, which later converged into mass meetings. Central leaders of the seven parties led the rallies and some top leaders addressed the mass gatherings in Kalanki, Koteshwor, Sapdobato, Chabahil and Gongabu. Most speakers of the gatherings vowed to move ahead as per the spirit and the mandate of the people’s movement.
Addressing a gathering in Kalanki, CPN (UML) leader general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said the first priority of the instated parliament would be to announce election to the constituent assembly and formation of an interim government.
Saying that the seven-party alliance was committed to its six-point agenda and the 12-point agreement reached with the Maoists, Nepal said the new government would correct the wrongs done by the past governments, take action against the oppressors of the people’s movement and provide compensation to those killed and injured in the course of the pro-democracy movement.
Similarly, a mass meeting was organised at Khula Manch (open theatre) after a victory rally, which was addressed by politician Dr Ram Man Shreshta, Federation of Nepalese Journalists president Bishnu Nisthuri, human rights activist Krishna Pahadi, student leaders Gagan Thapa and Ram Kumari Jhakri. Most speakers stressed that constituent assembly and restructuring of the state were a must to achieve lasting peace and development and warned the leaders against selling out.
People from all walks of life including professionals and government employees also joined in the victory rallies.
Life limped back to normal in the capital with marketplaces, private businesses and schools opening while public transportation also resumed.
Similarly, over 20,000 people participated in a rally in Banepa in Kavre district in support to the restoration of the parliament. Victory rallies were organised in Panauti and Dhulikhel of the same districts, reports said.
Huge rallies were organised in all major towns outside Kathmandu like Biratnagar, Pokhara, Bharatpur, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Damak, Ilam, Mahendranagar and several other places. Mid-western districts like Dang, Rolpa, Dola and Jumla also saw victory rallies in support of the parliament reinstatement. nepalnews.com mk Apr 25 06
Japan has welcomed King Gyanendra’s decision to reinstate the House of Representatives and summon the session on April 28th 2006, and that the political parties accepted the royal decision.
A press statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “This progress is a victory of the Nepalese people who have pursued the restoration of democracy and peace. Japan hopes that further progress will be made in the political process towards the consolidation of democracy and the realization of permanent peace.”
The statement further urged the Maoists, who expressed criticism towards the decision taken by the political parties, to respect the national consensus, renounce violence, and participate in the political process through dialogue. nepalnews.com dr Apr 25 06
Nepali youths and students, along with human rights activists, trade unionists and women rights activists in Thailand rallied against recent crackdown by the royal regime on peaceful protests and increasing state brutality against the people in Nepal.. They also sent a protest letter to the royal government through the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday.
Shouting slogans like “Restore Democracy”, “Stop Human Rights Violation!”, “Win Win Loktantra (Democracy)!”, “Down with Autocracy!”, Nepali Youth and Students residing in Thailand, together with the Thai Solidarity Group for Democratic Movement in Nepal, organised a peaceful protest in front of the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Bangkok.
The participants condemned the state atrocities waged against the peaceful demonstrators in Nepal in recent weeks, holding placards showing photos of atrocities committed by state security forces against the people of Nepal, demanding restoration of democracy and for the king to step down. They also urged the government of Nepal to immediately stop atrocities against the people.
They strongly called upon the Nepalese monarch to pay attention to the demands put forward by mass organisations, the human rights community and civil society organisations for a peaceful resolution to the current crisis.
During the protest, representatives of the organisers handed over a protest letter to Puskar Niroula, third Secretary of the Mission at the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Thailand, for the purpose of presenting it to the king.
The speakers at the protest included Yaowapa Donse of the Alliance of Democratic Trade Unions (ADTU), Thailand and Chalida Tajaroensuk representing the Thai Solidarity Group for Democratic Movement in Nepal, and Sarba Raj Khadka representing Nepali youth and students residing in Thailand. nepalnews.com by Apr 25 06