Abducted employees of Surya Nepal
(Photo source : THT)
A team of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has met with the three employees of Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd, who were abducted by the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) from Bara district on February 3.
Quoting commission officials who met with the abducted employees, Sarabjit Rana, Prabhakar Bikram Shah and Damabarmani Limbu, a statement issued by the NHRC on Thursday said, adding that the three men are safe and that the commission was hopeful for their early release.
The abductees have contacted their families over telephone in the presence of the NHRC officials, the statement added.
The Maoist trade union assumed responsibility for the abduction of Surya Nepal employees through press statements issued on February 7 and 10. A team of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Nepal also had met with the abductees on Tuesday.
Family members of the abductees, human rights groups, business community and the Industrial Security Group (ISG), a group of foreign diplomatic missions in Nepal, have already demanded that the Maoists release them immediately.
Meanwhile, the NHRC monitors have met with two persons said to have disappeared after being arrested by the security forces.
The NHRC release said the monitors met with Rabi Thami alias Dambar Thami, general secretary of Thami Liberation Front whose whereabouts remained unknown following his arrest by security forces, at the Prison Department’s Kavrepalanchowk branch.
Likewise, the officials have met also with Parbati Thapa, another involuntarily-disappeared person, at the Ward Police Office, Baneswore, Kathmandu.
US Ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty, speaking in the talk program “Nepal’s Political Crisis: A Look Back, A Look Forward”, jointly organised by the Ganesh Man Singh Academy and The American Center, Wednesday, Feb 15 06. nepalnews.com/rh
US ambassador to Nepal, James F. Moriarty (File photo)
A day after the US ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty, called for reconciliation among constitutional forces in Nepal to save the country, leaders of the seven party opposition alliance have said reconciliation with the king is not possible until he gives up absolute powers.
Speaking at the face to face gallery of the Reporters Club on Thursday, standing committee member of the CPN-UML KP Oli said there was no possibility of reconciliation with the king at a time when he had snatched away sovereign powers of the people.
Referring to the 12-point pact between the parties and Maoists, he said parties were trying to convert a warring group into a political force which was necessary for establishment of peace in the country. Oli, however, agreed with the US envoy that bloodshed would continue if the king did not take immediate steps to address the conflict.
Former foreign minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat
(File photo)
Joint general secretary of Nepali Congress and former foreign minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, said that no one should be afraid that the rebels might overtake the political parties to capture the state mechanism. He said the intention of the rebels would be exposed during the peace talks. He said that the rebels had signed an agreement and have renewed their commitment that they would now accept multi party democracy.
General secretary of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Prakash Man Singh– who was released on Monday after a nine month long detention– said that there was a possibility of reconciliation among three forces – king, parliamentarian parties and rebels – if the king agreed for unconditional election to the Constituent Assembly. Reinstatement of the dissolved parliament is must to kickstart that process, he added.
He said reconciliation between any two forces would not bring permanent peace in the country.
General secretary of the CPN (Marxist-Leninist), CP Mainali, said that parties would not be satisfied with the agreement like that of 1990. ‘We demand that the people should be made more powerful,’ he said.
‘We have serious objection to the US suggestion that constitutional forces should unite to finish off the Maoists,’ Mainali said.
Parshuram Khapung of Rastriya Prajatantra Party said that reconciliation among the constitutional forces was essential to bring Maoists into the political mainstream.
US Ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty on Wednesday, called on the constitutional forces for reconciliation to restore democratic process in the country. He called upon the king to take initiative for this purpose.
“If the King and the parties remain divided, the Maoists will keep on winning,” said the American envoy. “Reconciliation between the King and the political parties would bring back democracy in the country while the failure in it could haul the country to great misery and the Maoists would inevitably seize power,” he warned.
The victorious Nepali team. Photo source: icc-cricket.com
The victorious Nepali team. Photo source: icc-cricket.com
Nepal has entered into the finals of the ongoing ICC U-19 world cup cricket plate championship defeating South Africa by two runs on Thursday.
Nepal opted to bat first after winning the toss in the match held at Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo and accumulated 214 runs losing 8 wickets in the allotted 50 overs.
Captain Kaniska Chaugain made the highest 59 runs for Nepal while Gyanendra Malla made 46 runs.
Chaugain’s contribution, his second fifty of the tournament, was crucial in ensuring Nepal more than held their own against their more illustrious opponents.
The opener, playing in his third and final ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup, faced 81 balls in a stay of 106 minutes, hitting six fours and a six during his innings.
Malla made an responsible, unbeaten 46 in 71 balls with six fours, but South Africa’s Malusi Siboto ensured Nepal were unable to break free in the latter stages of their innings.
He picked up 4-47 while the other wicket-taker for South Africa was Brett Thompson with 1-38 and their contributions were vital because opening bowler Craig Alexander was able to bowl just 3.1 overs before leaving the field with a hamstring injury.
Nepal’s fall of wickets was as follows:
1-67 (Chhetri, 13.4 ov), 2-105 (Vesawkar, 23.4 ov), 3-106 (Chaugain, 25.4 ov), 4-116 (Khadka, 29.4 ov), 5-172 (Chaudhary, 43.3 ov), 6-195 (Regmi, 47.2 ov), 7-212 (Subedi, 49.3 ov), 8-214 (Shrestha, 49.6 ov).
In reply South Africa could only muster 212 runs losing 5 wickets in the 50 overs.
Basanta Regmi took three wickets while Amrit Bhattrai took one wicket to ensure Nepal’s victory. P Daneel was run out. D Elgar scored the highest not out 66 runs for the South Africa.
South Africa’s fall of wickets was as follows:
1-39 (Symes, 10.6 ov), 2-92 (Daneel, 23.2 ov), 3-95 (Thompson, 26.2 ov), 4-99 (Levi, 28.3 ov), 5-205 (Ramoo, 48.3 ov).
Nepali team captain Kaniska Chaugain was declared man of the match.
Nepal will clash with New Zealand in the final match on Saturday.
The Plate Championship is the competition for the eight sides that failed to qualify for the Super League and the winners will be able to call themselves the ninth-ranked team in the tournament.
Nepal did not get entry into Super League after England defeated Nepal by 77 runs in the first match and Zimbabwe defeated Nepal by 2 runs in the second match. The top two teams from each group qualify for the Super League series while the bottom two go to the Plate Championship.
Over 50 leaders and activists of the seven-party alliance who were arrested from different protest rallies in the capital, Kathmandu, and outside were released on Thursday.
Of those arrested from protest rallies ahead of the recent municipal elections, authorities released 28 leaders and activists kept in security custody at Duwakot, Bhaktapur. Four of them were released following an order by the Supreme Court, it is learnt.
Four women activists kept at the Women Training Centre were also released today.
Likewise, 24 political detainees were released in Kaski district after an order from the Appellate Court, Pokhara, while the district administration of Tanahun freed five detainees at the presence of District Court officials. 10 political activists are still in custody in Kaski, reports said.
Reports from Sankhuwasabha said the local authorities there released four political activists arrested during the anti-election campaign of the seven parties.
Even as the government has been periodically freeing opposition leaders and cadres, there are still dozens of detainees including some senior leaders in security custodies around the country.
Former Indian international and ex-coach of East Bengal Club and current youth head coach Shyam Thapa has taken charge of the national team for up-coming extravaganza, the AFC Challenge Cup.
Shyam Thapa was pleased to get a call from ANFA President Ganesh Thapa to hand over the job of “boss” when he was enjoying his vacation in Kolkata. But, the news was expected, as everybody had assumed that Shyam Thapa would be given the reins.
“I am very happy to accept the challenge,” Shyam Thapa told SoccerAgeNepal. “I know, we must work hard to get good results and I am confident my boys will do that,” he added.
In the meantime, ANFA has published the names of probable layers that will start their first round training session after finishing the “A” Division League. The players that were the part of Nepalese team in the SAFF Championship 2005 stood as it is except Upendra Man Singh, while seven new players have received a call from ANFA.
Ritesh Thapa (goalkeeper)
Bikash Malla (goalkeeper)
Rakesh Shrestha
Tashi Gurung
Anjan K.C
Janak Singh
Nabin Neupane
Lok Bandu Gurung
Sagar Thapa
Pralaya Rajbhandari
Bijaya Gurung
Vishan Gauchan
Hari Khadka
Pradeep Maharjan
Rajesh Shahi
Raju Tamang
Surendra Tamang
Ramesh Budhathoki
Basanta Thapa (ANFA is planning to call Basanta again to play for the AFC Challenge Cup but the final confirmation hasn’t been made)
The other players called by ANFA are:
Sandeep Rai
Jumanu Rai
Santosh Shahukhala
Anil Gurung
Man Sajan Rajbhandari
Sangeet Rajak
Yougal Kishor Rai
Surendra Lal Shrestha
Sanjeev Budhathoki
Ram Kumar Biswash
The title race for the ANFA Martyrs San Miguel “A” Division League is down to three teams after another contender Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) suffered a bitter 0-2 defeat at the hands of Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) at Dasrath Stadium today.
Now, the remaining three bigwigs, Nabil Three Star Club, Mahendra Police Club and Manang Marshyangdi Club will pour all their vigor to clinch the title.
MMC’s high paid Kolkata star Felix Chimaokwu, who played for East Bengal, scored two goals that saw MMC paying back the Army on its first leg defeat.
Felix put MMC ahead early in the 5th minute capitalizing on a defensive error. Felix clutched the ball from TAC’s Raju Tamang and used his pace to fire home a superb goal. .
TAC, who have played 27 matches slumped to third position with 60 points while MPC and MMC have two matches in hand. NTSC has three games left. “We are feeling heavy with the aftermaths, TAC coach Kishor KC told reporters. MMC coach Lopsang, though his team won, expected more from his Nigerian imports despite their superb form. “They could have showed a far better game than this,” he told Nepalnews.
In another match played at same venue, Obagbemiro Junior continued his superb form and provided a tutorial scoring two for Brigade Boys Club (BBC) that easily defeated Friends Club 4-1. BBC’s win was laced with Raju Rai’s and Aakash Chyantyal’s goals in the second half.
Friends Club were ahead 1-0 in the first half courtesy of Chandra Tamang goal early in the 7th minute.
The newly opened LG Lifestyle Shoppe at Minbhawan.
The newly opened LG Lifestyle Shoppe at Minbhawan.
With an aim to provide shopping facility of electronic gadgets under a single roof, LG Electronics has opened an international standard Lifestyle Shoppe at Minbhawan, Kathmandu.
K R Kim, president of South West Asia LG Electronics inaugurated the Lifestyle Shoppe amid a function on Thursday. He said LG was committed to offer quality products in competitive price.
The exclusive showroom spread over 7500 sq ft area has latest models of colour televisions, cell phones, computers, washing machines, refrigerators and other home appliances on display.
Officials of Choudhary Group, the Nepal partner of LG, said customers would be offered live demonstration of the products at the Lifestyle Shoppe. LG outlets would be opened in 20 different places outside Kathmandu in the nearest future, they said.
According to ACNeilson, a leading international market research agency, LG is the most popular electronic brand in Nepal.
By Rahul Thapa
Since the mid-twentieth century, the Royal Nepalese Army has been supporting government policy and national interests. The RNA has been serving the nation and its people and the international community under the call of the United Nations by contributing for the cause of peace and humanity. Its exposure to international peacekeeping has ensured that it remains one of the few organizations in Nepal where the teaching and practice of Human Rights has been long institutionalized. However, the army leadership needs to be more conscious and aware of rights violations being committed by servicemen as a result of error in individual judgment and action.
Nepal has friendly relations with its northern and southern neighbors China and India, and there appears to be no threat of incursions for the Nepalese. However, Nepal has been facing the worst war in its history from its own countrymen in the form of the Maoist rebellion over the past decade. According to estimates, more than 13,000 people have died in the country’s internal conflict after the Maoists declared what they call the “people’s war” demanding the removal of monarchy a decade ago. The losers in this conflict and those who have been most affected are the civilians who have been caught in the cross fire between the security forces and the Maoists.
The security forces under the joint initiative of the Royal Nepalese Army, the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police have been fighting the war launched by Maoist rebels since 1996. It is these security personnel who are trying to address the Maoist insurrection which is being waged through torture, killings, bombings, extortion and intimidation against civilians, political and economic actors. The nation is at war with the rebellion forces that are bent on destroying the democratic structure by fragmenting the constitutional and democratic class. And unfortunate, but successful they have been in bringing about political divide and unwarranted polarization of power.
Human rights principle arguably cannot be universal, but there are certain basic human values that are universal like torture, killing of innocent civilians, freedom of expressions and speech, the right to worship and to follow certain belief systems without violence. With reference to these basic principles, the state has presented itself poorly and worse by the Maoists and its leadership. There are numerous allegations of rights abuses being made by rights activists against the RNA including the killing of innocent people. And there are strong arguments that there are a select group of activists who do not necessarily owe their allegiance towards the people but continue to act as influential brokers. Incidents of alleged violations have been given widespread coverage by the media as part of the free press’s religious duties. It is true that the state should be more responsible and accountable towards its people than non-state actors. But it is also equally important that the media well informs the people of the organized and systematic atrocities committed by the Maoists against the Nepalese people in the same war footing as it does against the errors in judgment by the soldiers.
Analyzing the forces in direct conflict in the country, we as citizens who aspire to live in a free and democratic society have failed to respect and give credit to the servicemen who are duty bound to protect us and our children. We fail to see the hardship and the sacrifices the country’s servicemen in the armed forces make for us, our families and the future generation of this nation. We, as self respecting citizens, often choose to forget the circumstances our forces are fighting the rebels. We need to be critical of their attitude, their performance and presentation but the question before all of us is are we being respectful of the services they provide.
A story regarding an alleged attempt to shoot a politician in Biratnagar made the headlines; it drew condemnation from politicians and human rights activists earlier this week. But when a soldier on home leave after serving in war for more than a year was brutally shot in front of his family, rights activists, politicians and we as ordinary citizens did not see much value in his death. We deliberately failed to respect that lone soldier’s contribution to society and the nation. Are rights based activists instilling on us that the life of a district politician, a journalist or a businessman is of more value than one unknown soldier. Three professionals serving with a high profile company are abducted by the Maoists; the unfortunate incident makes the headlines with uproars from rights activists. A group of Maoists forcibly enter a civilian’s house in a distant village; intimidate them with grenade pins pulled off and in the process, by accident, an explosion kills the Maoists, a mother and father and severely injures a two year old infant. Did we ever hear these stories making the headlines in our media; are rights activists aware that there is an orphan girl whose parents were killed when the Maoists were intimidating her Ama and Bua with a live bomb?
Let us be critical and appreciative of our armed forces, but we also need to be aware and well informed of the gross violations against human values being systematically abused by the Maoists and its leadership. The United Nations in Nepal and rights based activists should not exhibit double standards by condemning the state while “requesting” the Maoists to respect human rights. The media must be critical of the state and the people in uniform, but we must also express our appreciation and be a source of encouragement for the people who protect our nation state and its people.
(Editor’s Note: Nepalis, wherever they live, as well as friends of Nepal around the globe are requested to contribute their views/opinions/recollections etc. on issues concerning present day Nepal to the Guest Column of Nepalnews. Length of the article should not be more than 1,000 words and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Relevant photos as well as photo of the author may also be sent along with the article. Please send your write-ups to [email protected])
Preparations are on in all campuses affiliated to Tribhuvan University (TU) for the Free Students Union (FSU) elections scheduled for February 28.
The eight student unions affiliated to various political parties are planning to contest the FSU elections in a friendly environment so as not to weaken the eight student unions’ alliance.
Report quoted Ram Kumar Basnet, vice-president of the All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU), as saying that discussions are underway at the central level of the political parties not to let the election get in the way of the eight-party unity.
The nominations of candidates in most of the campuses will be completed by February 20.
The two Nepal Student Unions, belonging to the Nepali Congress and the Nepali Congress (Democratic) have decided to join hands for the election.
Report quoted Pranay Singh ‘Munna’, president of NSU TU central committee as saying that discussions between the two student unions were underway for the purpose.
The TU formed an election commission to conduct the polls on Tuesday.
Separately, the eight student unions on Tuesday handed the government a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the release of all the detained students.
Maoists abducted five civil servants from Phulpa in Pakarbas VDC of Ramechhap district on Tuesday.
According to reports, Maoists abducted Jyoti Subedi, executive officer of Local Development Fund, a financial body of Ramechhap District Development Committee (DDC), as well as four staff.
In another incident, Maoists abducted Ashok Subba, royal-nominated DDC member of Jhapa, from his house in Bahundangi-2 on Monday.
Families of the abducted have appealed for their immediate and unconditional release.