At least 11 Maoist rebels and two security personnel have been killed in the overnight clashes in eastern district of Bhojpur Friday, officials said.
According to Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA), clashes started after the Maoist rebels opened attack at the joint security base at Hatuwagadhi of Bhojpur district from around 6 p.m. Friday. Clashes lasted until 2:00 in the morning.
During the search operation conducted Saturday morning, security personnel recovered bodies of 11 Maoist rebels and an INSAS rifle, an officer at the DPR told Nepalnews. Two security personnel were killed during clashes, according to the DPR.
Five security personnel who were injured during the clashes have been brought to Kathmandu for treatment, according to reports.
A night vision helicopter had also been sent to support the security personnel during the Maoist attack, security sources said.
The rebels are yet to comment on the incident.
A group of Maoist rebels has caused explosion in the house of Dilli Bahadur Khadaka, an independent mayoral candidate for Tulsipur municipality in the mid-western district of Dang Friday night.
According to reports, the rebels forced family members of Khadka out of their house at Rakshya Chour of Tulsipur Municipality-2 at around 11 p.m. on Friday and caused explosions. Two houses belonging to Khadka have been destroyed.
Khadka was away from his house when the rebels attacked his residence.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has disqualified 23 candidates vying for different positions in 12 municipalities for not fulfilling the formalities.
According to the state-run The Rising Nepal daily, nominations filed by three candidates for the post of Mayor, five for deputy Mayor, 12 candidates for ward chairmen, two for ward members and one for reserved seat for women members have been declared invalid.
The daily quoted the spokesperson at the EC, Tejmuni Bajracharya, as saying that a person to propose and another to support the proposal has to be present while filing candidacy for the polls. The commission said that it has found some people filing their candidacy from other than their place of residence.
Click to enlarge
Click on pic to enlarge (Photo source : muannepal.org)
The nomination procedure of the upcoming municipal election has completed. But, with a number of persons forced or pressured to file nominations, there are reports of family members and relatives pressuring the candidates to withdraw the nominations. Some family members are in utter panic as the threat on the lives of the candidates looms large with the issuing threats of physical punishment against the candidates. In the meantime, the seven opposition political parties have mounted their anti-election campaign. In view of security, election candidates in various districts have been kept in security camps, reports say. Here are some interesting glimpses of election scenario reported by vernacular news dailies:
Wife’s woe
Families of candidates contesting for various posts in Guleriya municipality in Bariya districts are under tremendous mental/psychological pressure following the nominations on Thursday. Wife of Rakesh Kumar Sharma, a mayoral candidate, has been requesting her husband to cancel the nomination, according to Annapurna Post daily. However, Sharma is adamant on contesting the election despite repeated requests from his wife and his relatives not to do so.
Wife, mother faint
Similarly, wife and mother of Ghana Shyam Vaishya, a ward chairman candidate for ward no. 8 of Guleriya Municipality, Bardiya, were reported to have fainted as soon as they heard the news of Vaishya’s nomination for the polls.
Mother, wife stage sit-in protest
Mother of Dhatnanda Bhattarai, a mayoral candidate of Tansen municipality in Palpa, has been staging sit-in protest in front of the district administration office demanding withdrawal of her son’s candidacy. Nepal Samacharpatra daily quoted the disgruntled mother as saying that she has not slept the whole night. Bhattarai is the sole candidate filing his nomination for the forthcoming elections.
Similarly, Narbada Bhandari sat for a hunger strike on Friday afternoon at Damak Municipality office demanding cancellation of her husband’s nomination for the municipal polls. Nain Singh Bhandari, the husband, was the only mayoral candidate of Damak municipality in Jhapa district in eastern Nepal. She appealed that nomination of her husband be cancelled unconditionally. Singh has been kept in security camp.
Unaware of nominations
Seven candidates in the eastern district of Illam said that they were unaware of their candidacy for municipal polls. They said that they were not associated with any activities related to election adding that they were totally non-political people. Santa Bir Tamang, and Shar Maya Tamang of ward no. 8, Krishna Bhakta Humangai and Til Bikram Basnet of ward no. 5, Sushman Kadel of ward no. 9 and Damber Shrestha of ward no. 8 said that they would withdraw their nominations.
Suicide threat
In the meantime, wife of a mayoral candidate from Janarkpur municipality threatening to commit suicide by consuming poison if her husband does not withdraw his nomination. Wife of Nepal Sadbhawana Party candidate, Raman Kumar Singh, met her husband at he security camp and asked him to cancel the nominations. Parents and his brother have also been pressurizing Singh to withdraw his nomination.
Expelled from party
Nepali Congress district committee of Dhankuta has expelled its member Yagya Prasad Guragain from party membership for the period of five years. Guragain had filed his nomination for the post of ward chairman of ward no. 2 as an independent candidate. Similarly, Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandidevi) has terminated the membership of Bharatendu Kumar Mallik and Rajeshwor Dubey for five years. Mallik has filed his candidacy in Bhadrapur Municipality, Jhapa district, and Dubey in Gaur Municipality in Rautahat district.
Municipal Office shifted
Amidst security threats, the office of Narayan Municipality in Dailekh was shifted at the District Police Office located at Devkota Chowk on Friday, according to Kathmandu Post daily.
Dubbing the upcoming municipal elections as a ploy to entrench the ‘autocratic rule’, Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala on Friday urged the civil servants not to cooperate with the government in conducting the polls.
Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala
Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala
(File Photo)
Issuing an appeal to the civil servants, the NC president said, “Through this statement I appeal to you [civil servants] not to cooperate in conducting the so-called municipal elections and actively boycott them and assist in the people’s movement.”
“As dutiful servants of the nation you have responsibility towards the nation. It is unexpected of you to become witness to the destruction of the country,” he said.
The former prime minister further said that the seven agitating political parties and the general people would support the civil servants if they took “this bold step”.
“Save this country from plunging into chaos and conflict and contribute in building a peaceful, democratic and developed nation. This is your first and ultimate duty towards the nation,” Koirala said in his statement.
The poor nominations for the municipal seats despite ‘misuse’ of state resources have proven that the people are not interested in this election, he argued.
Koirala’s appeal to the civil servants comes as the government gears up for holding the municipal elections. No major parties except for Nepal Sadbhawana Party led by local development minister Badri Prasad Mandal have joined the electoral fray.
The seven agitating parties have already vowed to actively boycott the polls while the rebel CPN (Maoist) has threatened to disrupt them at all costs.
“Header King” Dev Narayan Chaudhary, a former international player, rescued MPC policemen scoring the match winning goal in late hours against Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) while Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) defeated Boys’ Union Club (BUC) 2-0, Mahabir Club shocked Sankata Club 2-1 and Gyanendra Armed Police Force (APF) outplayed Machhindra Club 3-0 in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Muguel ‘A’ Division League matches.
In the match played at Dashrath Stadium, JYC were down despite taking the lead and being in control of the match. Abdul Gani Olawale chipped in on Susan Bhandari’s cross in the 19th minute to give JYC the lead. MPC’s second half substitution Dev Narayan set up an equaliser in the 78th minute when Jumanu Rai leveled the scores on Chaudhary’s head pass. A minute later, MPC was awarded a penalty in a counter attack when Prabin Manandhar handled the ball inside the area and veteran Chaudhary converted the spot kick.
In the second game at Dashrath Stadium, Umesh Upreti gave MMC a lead in the 71st minute through a header on skipper Kumar Thapa’s corner kick. Then Nurudeen Olawale Salau doubled the lead four minutes later.
In the matches played at Halchowk Stadium, Mahabir Club shocked Sankata Club 2-1 and Gyanendra Armed Police Force (APF) outplayed Machhindra Club 3-0.
The Election Commission (EC) has reiterated that polling for the municipal elections slated on February 8 will be held as per the schedule.
Election Commission (File photo)
Election Commission (File photo)
Talking to Nepalnews on Saturday, spokesperson at the EC, Tejmuni Bajracharya, said that fresh election programme would be announced to fill the positions in which nominations had not been filed Thursday. He said that the EC was encouraged by the interest shown by people to participate in the municipal polls in what he described as the difficult political situation prevailing in the country.
Election commission on Wednesday had announced that a person could file his or her nominations without photo as well.
The candidates can withdraw their nominations on Saturday.
But, reports from various districts said most of the candidates have been kept in tight security and have not been allowed to see their family members citing security reasons.
The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), an umbrella organization of working journalists, has condemned the continuous arrests and manhandling of journalists on Thursday.
A press statement issued by the FNJ said, “We condemn the force used to prohibit freedom of expression and urge the concerned sector to release all journalists, provide treatment to the injured journalists and punish the wrongdoers.”
Journalists Dil Bahadur Air of Dadeldhura and Shiva Patel of Birjung were arrested on Wednesday, the release said, adding that policemen attacked Madhav Aryal and Tulsi Ram Pande in Palpa and Ghanashyam Khadka, Pradip Kafle, Rhishiram Pokhrel and Narayan Khadka in Tanahu.
Security forces in Kathmandu manhandled journalists, took them into control, seized communication equipment from them, prohibited their movement and threatened some journalists following the publication and broadcast of news, the release states.
“In the capital also, there are reports of security men manhandling and intimidating journalists on the pretext of security checks, thus hampering the profession of the journalists,” the statement said.
FNJ has also called on the government to release all the arrested journalists immediately and unconditionally.
Minister of State for Finance Dr Roop Jyoti has said that the present customs administration, besides checking customs evasion, smuggling, illegal trade and trafficking of drugs and arms, has the task of trade facilitation and increasing revenue collection.
Minister of State for Finance Dr Roop Jyoti (File photo)
Minister of State for Finance Dr Roop Jyoti (File photo)
Speaking at a programme in the capital on Thursday organized to mark the ‘World Custom Day’, he said that massive reforms is essential in the technical and administrative aspects of the customs administration and the working style, according to reports.
He called on the business community to get maximum advantage from the provisions related to the industry and commerce sector in the Finance Ordinance issued on January 14. He however warned of stern action against those involved in unwarranted economic activities.
Director general of the Department of Customs, Chandi Prasad Dahal said that timely measures have been taken for the modernisation of the customs administration.
President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandi Raj Dhakal, stressed the need of modernizing the custom system including computerised information dissemination system.
On the same occasion Minister of State Dr Jyoti presented ‘Certificates of Merit’ provided by the World Customs Organisation to ten meritorious officers of the year.
On the occasion, Nepal Chamber of Commerce presented a ‘Letter of Appreciation’ to Ramhari Aryal for the best performance in customs administration.
Irate by the negligence of the Bhutanese government on the repatriation of the refugees, the California Bhutanese Refugee group organized a silent protest in the Commonwealth Club, San Francisco, on 23rd January and International House Berkeley on 24th January where the Bhutanese Minister spoke.
A glimpse of the protest in San Francisco. (Photo source: California Bhutanese Refugee Group)
A glimpse of the protest in San Francisco. (Photo source: California Bhutanese Refugee Group)
Bhutanese Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs, Lyonpo Jigme Y Thinley, was speaking on the country’s new development concept of “Gross National Happiness” (GNH) on the occasion.
A press release issued by the California Bhutanese Refugee Group said the protest was in support of Bhutanese refugees in exile and people’s movement for human rights and freedom in Bhutan.
A small group of men, women and children carried placards with messages that highlighted the Human Rights abuses by the Royal Government of Bhutan against its citizens of their ethnic group.
Following the GNH speech, when asked about the refugee problem, the minister said, “Bhutan always accepts refugees,” referring to the Tibetan refugees. “Then he gave convoluted answers expressing the theory of ethnic Nepali population explosion in the bordering countries of India, Nepal, Bangladesh and the allegedly migratory nature of ethnic Nepali tribes searching for better life, suggesting that the Lhotsampas came to Bhutan as illegal immigrants. When the illegal immigrants were expelled, some Bhutanese went with them in collusion that gave political shade to the issue,” the statement said.
He further said that 25 percent of the present population in Bhutan comprises of ethnic Nepali origin and they are treated equally as any other Bhutanese.
He also informed that Bhutan will have parliamentary democracy when His Majesty the King will abdicate the throne in 2008. The crown prince will be enthroned and Bhutan will have a constitutional monarchy beginning a new chapter of Bhutanese history, the Bhutanese Minister said.
After the event, some people with knowledge of the root causes of the Bhutanese refugees met the Minister on the floor and pressed him to solve the refugee problem.
Over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees of Nepali origin are languishing in the seven UNHCR-maintained camps in eastern Nepal for the last 15 years. There have been over a dozen rounds of bilateral talks between Nepal and Bhutan in as many years, but to no avail.
At least 7 protestors were arrested and three injured after police intervened at a peaceful demonstration of students affiliated to seven political parties in Nepalgunj of mid-western region on Friday.
Police entered the premises of Mahendra Multiple Campus and arrested them, reports said. Three students were injured when police baton-charged. Police also used 7 rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Students protested the arrest by burning tyres in front of the campus and demanded immediate release of all students. Student leaders said most of the arrested students were newcomers and had nothing to do with the protest.
The alliance of seven agitating political parties and students affiliated to these parties have been organizing various protest programmes to actively boycott the municipal poll slated for February 8.