As the three-week-long blockade called by the Maoists entered into the fifth day on Saturday, normal life remains crippled across the country.
Prices of fresh vegetables went up by 80 percent in the capital valley on Wednesday. Price of tomatoes and radish brought into the valley from outside have gone up by more than 80 percent, according to the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetables Market Development Committee (KFVMDC).
According to KFVMDC, approximately 450 metric tonnes of vegetables used to be brought into the valley from different districts of the country in normal days. However, only 632 tonnes of vegetables were supplied in the valley over the last three days of the blockade.
Vegetables worth Rs 8.5 million were bought and sold every day at the Kalimati market. But due to the blockade, the transaction has gone drastically down, officials said.
Reports from Manthali, headquarters of the central hilly district of Ramechhap, said a week long health camp which was scheduled to start on Saturday has been postponed due to the blockade.
In Dhading district adjoining Kathmandu, rebels had erected barriers to stop the vehicular movement. Rebels have also disrupted vehicular movement along the Pasang Lhamu highway along the Kathmandu- Trishuli route.
People in as many as 10 VDCs of Ramechhap district, including Chisapani, Gelu and Phulasi, have been facing difficulties due to obstructions placed by the Maoists on the roads.
People were terrified as the Maoists placed four bags with danger signs on them along the bridge over the Tamakoshi river in Manthali VDC- 4 on Wednesday. Passengers were stranded at the district headquarters as no vehicles plied.
In Sarlahi district, vehicular movement came to a grinding halt and even bicycles were not seen on the roads, according to reports.
Traffic came to a halt after the Maoists reportedly planted landmines along the Nawalpur-Malangwa road on Friday.
Movement of people has gone down sharply in terai towns of Malangawa, Hariwan, Lalbandi, Ishworpur, and Barathawa. Reports from eastern district of Udaypur say the blockade has created scarcity of essential commodities and market prices have soared.
Traffic has come to a halt along the Attariya-Dadeldhura sector of the Bhim Dutta Highway in far-western region, a report from Kailali said. Even ambulances refused to take sick persons fearing Maoist reprisal.
Maoists announced three-week long blockade of the capital, Kathmandu, and district headquarters across the country from Tuesday. From April 3, they have called a nationwide general strike calling for complete halt of public and private transportation, and closing down of schools, factories and private businesses indefinitely.
The underground outfit is yet to respond to frantic calls made by the opposition parties, rights groups and professional organizations to immediately withdraw the blockade and call for indefinite strike as it has resulted into severe inconveniences to common people.
Tang Jiaxuan
State Councilor of China, Tang Jiaxuan, left Kathmandu for Beijing Saturday morning after completing his three-day visit to Nepal.
Along with other members of the Chinese delegation, Tang left the Tribhuvan International Airport at 9:35 a. m. aboard a special chartered plane. Vice chairman of the Council of Ministers, Kirtinidhi Bista, Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey and other senior officials had reached the airport to see off the senior Chinese official.
Talking to reporters briefly prior to his departure, Tang said he was fully satisfied with his visit to Nepal. He did not elaborate.
State Councilor enjoys the status of deputy prime minister in the Chinese officialdom.
His Majesty King Gyanendra granted audience to Tang at the Narayanhiti royal palace on Friday. Tang also met senior opposition leaders in Kathmandu yesterday. Earlier, Chinese officials did not meet opposition leaders during their Nepal sojourn.
Addressing a function in Kathmandu on Friday, Tang stressed on the need for reconciliation between the ‘constitutional forces’ in Nepal. He urged them to settle the current political crisis through dialogues based on the maintenance of independence, sovereignty and national unification. “A Nepal of peace, reconciliation and amity, enjoying stability, development and prosperity serves the fundamental interests of its people and will promote regional peace, stability and development,” he added.
China termed the royal takeover of last year as an “internal matter” of Nepal and also provided a token military assistance of US dollar one million to Nepal last year. Chinese assistance to Nepal was criticized by India and the US—two major suppliers of arms and ammunition to the Himalayan kingdom.
China doesn’t recognize Maoist rebels on Nepal officially and refers to them as anti-government forces. Analysts say by emphasizing on reconciliation between the king and major political parties, China has been giving continuity to its policy of supporting initiatives aimed at peace and stability in the Himalayan kingdom.
Sales of chicken may have drastically reduced in the capital amid scare of the bird flu virus, but people thronged to the ‘Chicken and Egg Festival’ organized in the capital on Friday and enjoyed free chicken delicacies served to them.
Organised jointly by half a dozen organisations involved in poultry business, the event aimed at allaying fears of consumers regarding the scare of bird flu virus. Officials say though the virus has been reported in some parts of India, it is yet to make its inroads into Nepal.
Poultry entrepreneurs say their business has come down by more than 60 percent over the last one month. “As we were expecting some improvement in the business, the indefinite blockade called by the Maoists has hit us very badly,” Guna Chandra Bista, president of the Nepal Hatchery Industry Association told Nepalnews.
Bista said the Association has deployed surveillance teams in every chicken firm and has asked the members to maintain extreme caution to avoid the transmission of virus from the neighbouring country.
According to the Association, production of one kg chicken costs around Rs 120. The market price at present has, however, gone down to Rs 70 per kg.
According to organizers, over 30,000 people participated in the festival and tasted roasted chicken.
His Majesty King Gyanendra, on the recommendation of the Judicial Council (JC), has relieved three district court judges from their respective posts, according to official news agency, RSS.
The judges sacked include Chitra Dev Joshi of Syangja District Court, Ganesh Panjiyar of Bajura and Kedar Prasad Pyakurel of Humla District Court.
“The council decided to relieve them of their posts on the basis of the report of the Investigation Committee, the Judicial Act 1990 and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990,” RSS quoted the JC as saying.
They were dismissed for lack of efficiency, according to RSS.
Joshi had criticised the royal takeover of last year in a public forum while the other two were allegedly took bribes while deciding cases. Joshi had said that the king’s action to assume all executive powers was unconstitutional as sovereignty rested with the people. The JC in its reports said that Joshi went against the judges’ code of conduct
Pyakurel and Panjiyar were working in Morang and Dhanusha district courts respectively when the Judicial Council summoned them for investigations on the allegations against them.
Various human rights groups have condemned the killing of Bhuwan Kharel, owner of Dakshinkali Lodge at Bagbazar in the capital, Kathmandu, by Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) of the Crime Investigation Department in Kathmandu, Bidhan Chandra Shah, and have demanded punishment against the person involved in the incident.
ASI Shah shot and killed Kharel on Friday at around 12:00 p.m. inside Kharel’s lodge in Bagbazaar after a brief scuffle. Kharel received two bullets in his stomach, according to reports.
After initial investigation into the incident, various human rights groups including Himrights, Centre for Victim of Torture (CVICT), Human Rights Foundation of Nepal (HURFON) and Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) said that Shah was the culprit in the incident. According to their reports, Shah had been threatening Kharel for a long time demanding heavy amount.
On Friday, Shah had been at the lodge since 6 p.m. and was heavily drunk.
The Police Headquarters and the District Police Office (DPO), Kathmandu, are yet to disclose the details of the incident, saying that they were, however, looking into the matter. A senior police official at the DPO said “this is a minor case” and added that he had no authority to give the details of the incident. The DPO is yet to form an investigation team, he informed.
Police are handing over the body of the victim to his family this evening after post-mortem at the TU teaching hospital.
Kharel was a permanent resident of Chitwan. He was displaced from the village due to Maoist threats since 2000, it is learnt.
India has beefed up security along the Nepal-India borders in the eastern region following a Maoist attack at the international immigration check-post in Kakadbhitta, Jhapa, on Friday.
Indian security agencies stationed in the bordering areas have been put on a high alert, Indian media reports said.
Both the civil police and the paramilitary forces like the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have stepped up vigil along the international border connecting Nepal with the Darjeeling district in West Belgal and the neighbouring state of Sikkim.
The Darjeeling District Police has asked the police stations in the bordering areas to remain on high alert and keep close eye on the events along the border areas.
Markets and other institutions in Jhapa district were shut on Saturday as a result of the Maoist raid in Kakarvitta Friday afternoon. Security forces with reinforcement have been deployed in the town to thwart any further attack, reports from Jhapa said.
The Nepal national team had to leave the ground with a 1-1 draw against African United Club (AUC) in the “Charity Match” organized by ANFA at Dasrath Stadium today.
The national team took a lead through Surendra Tamang, who fired home a long range shot in the 22nd minute with his solo effort. Tamang’s 18 yarded shot left goalie Uche Onyebule completely stranded diving full-length. Had Ramesh Budhathoki, Pradeep Maharjan not wasted two brilliant chances, the margin could have far better in the first half.
AUC then equalised in the 41st minute through Nurudeen Salau. Captian Obagbemiro Junior’s free kick was headed brilliantly by Salau to tie the score.
After the re-start, Nepal side held the possession but couldn’t extend the lead. Nurudeen again tested the capability of goalie Bikash Malla, but Malla denied him with an excellent punch out of the frame.
The match saw 22 players on the field except third choice goalie Surendra Lal Shrestha. ANFA listed 23 players today after sorting out five other players. Star Basanta even played 10 minutes where he created two brilliant goal scoring chances but Jumanu Rai squandered both.
In the meantime, chief guest Home Minister Kamal Thapa, who is also ex-president of ANFA, distributed 100,000 and G5 motorcycles each to earlier announced persons.
Coaches: Raju Kaji Shakya and Ashok KC
Referee: Shree Ram Ranjitkar
Current Player: Rakesh Shrestha
Long-serving person towards football: Dilip Rai (Sunsari FA President)
“I am very happy to be honored,” U-17 coach Raju Kaji Shakya said. “I am glad that ANFA praised our work.”
“I am speechless,” veteran coach Ashok KC delighted. “I am very thankful to ANFA.”
“It was a huge encouragement for me,” injured National defender Rakesh Shrestha said. “I will try to play to the best of my ability in the days to come.”
“Football is like god for me and I think god gave me ‘Prasad’.” veteran Dilip Rai said. “I spent my early days with football. Football is my passion, life and everything.”
The Nepalese national cricket team has left for Hiendhoek, Namibia to play in the ICC Inter-Continental Cup play-off match against Namibia from March 23-26.
National Sports Council (NSC) member secretary Kishor Bahadur Singh bade farewell to the 15-member cricket team led by vice-president of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) Shree Niwas Rana and coach Roy Luke Dias.
Nepal needs to win the match to qualify as the eighth team while a draw would ensure Namibia’s berth.
Dias was sure to win against Namibia to sketch new ray of hopes of Nepalese cricket in the international arena. “This is a big chance for Nepalese cricket to get through to the international arena. I am sure my boys wont waste the opportunity,” he said.
The squad is as follows:
Binod Das (captain), Shakti Gauchan (vice captain), Paresh Lohani, Dhirendra Chand, Kanishka Chaugain, Raj Kumar Pradhan, Sharad Vesawkar, Gyanendra Malla, Amir Akhtar, Manoj Katuwal, Raju Basnyat, Mehboob Alam and Basanta Regmi.
The government is issuing an ordinance on competition to create ‘fair and healthy’ competition in the economy.
Speaking at a programme in the capital on Thursday, commerce secretary Bharat Bahadur Thapa disclosed that the government is issuing the ordinance as the status of competition was poor in the country, according to reports.
“The draft of the ordinance is being finalized and the government is mulling to bring it into effect as soon as possible,” he said.
Thapa said that in the context of increased importance of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and market economy, a competition law would be an effective instrument to boost ‘free and fair’ business and economic activities.
Speaking at the same programme, Dr Posh Raj Pandey, president of South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), stressed on the need of a competition law to bring the private sector on the right track and discourage distortions in the market. Dr Pandey hoped that the competition law would promote competitive culture in the economy and consumers will benefit to a great extend.
Chandi Raj Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that there is an increasing need for a competition law in Nepal at a time when there are already laws and acts related to securities, secure transactions and insolvency, following Nepal’s accession to the WTO.
“The competition law currently being finalized, among others, must also encourage restructuring of industries and incorporate provisions that enable them to gain an competitive edge and to take benefits of global market access,” Dhakal added.
Advocate Tika Ram Bhattarai, executive member of Nepal Bar Association (NBA) informed that about 100 countries already have competition laws. Even India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have formulated competition laws.
”The competition law is needed for a free market and healthy competition, to develop competitive culture and ensure rights of consumers for consumption of goods they prefer,” Bhattarai added.
At a time when various groups are advocating for the election of the constituent assembly to resolve the problems the country is facing, speaker of the dissolved House of Representatives, Taranath Ranabhat has warned that an election to constituent assembly would lead the country towards disintegration.
Speaking at a programme in the capital on Thursday Ranabhat urged the King, the political parties and the Maoists to give up their adamant stances and return to the negotiating table to find peaceful settlement of the conflict.
He said the issues raised by the Maoists could be discussed and the constitution could be amended to address such issues.
Ranabhat, who recently received an audience from His Majesty the King in Pokhara, also said that the King is ready to return state power to the people’s representatives.
He asked the Maoists to abandon arms and violence and the political parties to suspend their street agitation to find amicable solution to the problems facing the country.
Ranabhat however said, “The King has failed to restore peace, democracy and good governance or maintain fiscal discipline, following the royal takeover.”
“Economic prosperity, including tourism development, is possible only if the people are allowed to rule themselves and political stability is ensured,” he added.