With competition among political parties to show their strength, the Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP), which was formed after the split in the Rastriya Prajatantra Party nearly one year ago, announced a new technique to increase its strength.
The RJP has announced that it will provide cash prizes to the people forming various units [committees] of the party in Nuwakot district, a newspaper report said.
Addressing the first meeting of party activists in Nuwakot district on Wednesday, central member of the RJP Ana Bahadur Pyakurel said that formation of the party units before the end of the year in the district would be given a cash prize of Rs 3,000.
He further said that three regional teams would be formed in Nuwakot district within mid April. He also said that necessary steps are being taken to form party units in all the 61 VDCs and in Bidur Municipality in the district and the cash prize would be given to the organisations, which include Dalits, Janajatis and women.
The three regional teams would be lead by Major Sher Bahadur Kahatri in region one, Krishna Prasad Pandey in region two and Bam Bahadur Tamang in region three of the district, reports Nepal Samacharpatra daily.
Pyakurel also informed that the party will not be participating in the upcoming municipal elections as the party believes that the problems faced by the country could not be resolved through the elections in absence of major political parties.
The alliance of seven political parties is boycotting the municipal polls terming the election as a ploy to legitimize the royal government. n
In the first international reaction to the crackdown on opposition leaders and rights activists by the royal government in Kathmandu on Thursday, the European Union has said it is extremely concerned about the recent developments in the Himalayan kingdom.
A brief statement issued by the Finnish embassy this afternoon said, “The EU Heads of Mission in Kathmandu are extremely concerned about the recent developments in Nepal, in particular about the arrests of democratic party leaders, members of civil society and human rights activists.”
“The EU is urgently considering implications of these developments,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, talking to Nepalnews this afternoon, Charge d’ Affairs at the Finnish embassy in Kathmandu, Pauli Mustonen, said the government should have taken steps for dialogue with the mainstream political parties to restore peace in the country.
He said that the EU had not expected such an action from the side of the government. He further said that the government should have reciprocated the Maoist ceasefire, which would have been a good initiative towards the restoration of peace and maintenance of security in the country.
“EU will be closely observing future developments,” he told us.
By Shiv Raj Bhatt
I was so disappointed with my mobile set a few months ago when the government blocked mobile services. On the 100th day of the new regime, I handed over my mobile set to my daughter, who was just one and half year old then. My daughter was very happy with her mobile, so was I. This way, I thought I would be able to overcome my frustrations. In fact, I was actually delighted when my daughter talked over the mobile set saying haayo (hello) and some other words, which I couldn’t understand. But, the mobile set had turned irreparable when mobile services reopened. Buying another set was the only option. With a very heavy heart I bought a new set. On Thursday, the government once again repeated the same tactic and no one knows how longer it will go.
Shiv Raj Bhatt
Shiv Raj Bhatt (File Photo)
The first question which hit my mind was why did the government ban such a useful service at the first place. I repeated same query to some of my friends who are serving at the security forces. They all had very unique answer. They said mobile telephone had a strong link with the conflict and ambush explosions. They claimed that incidence of ambush explosions had significantly reduced after the closure of mobile services. And conflict, explosion, and encounters all increased significantly with the reopening of the mobile telephony in the country. Now, anybody could guess what may have led the government to take such a decision.
But I was not satisfied and tried to go beyond their arguments. I started to look for a proper answer. As usual, I started first by google search. But it was hard to find literature on relationship between mobile and conflict (or other dimensions of it like ambush explosion). However, luckily I found some literature on interrelationship between conflict and globalization (mobile may be one instrument of it). Therefore, I started to read.
In most writings, globalization is portrayed as a phenomenon embodying either most of the world’s ills or promises. The idea could be broadly divided into two: the liberal model and the structuralist model. The first model claims that an open economy leads to a higher level of economic development that in turn leads to peace, both directly and through the promotion of democracy. On the basis of this theory, it can be argued that mobile phone as an instrument of globalization (and, of course, openness) reduces the conflict including incidences like ambush explosions.
In contrast, the structuralist model blamed that an open economy is more likely to lead to increased conflict. According to this theory, the penetration of trade and foreign capital into peripheral economies leads to the exploitation of local human and natural resources, and to a transfer of profit back to the imperial centers. This process results in impoverishment, inequality and injustice that in turn fuels conflict. Therefore, as an instrument of globalization, mobile phone increases the intensity of conflict thereby incidences like ambushes and encounters.
Both models are well argued. But the kind of relationship I was looking for was neither supported by liberal or structuralist model. Therefore, it became very hard for me to work out a relationship between the two.
Then I turned to my book shelf and picked up a copy of the Human Development Report (HDR) that compiles data on mobile phones as well as on conflict. HDR shows that in the year 2000 cellular mobile subscribers per thousand stood at 751 in Norway, 717 in Sweden, 670 in Netherlands, 526 in Japan, and 398 in USA. This list goes further and it is not needed to say that the incidences of ambush explosion or conflict are minimum in these countries. On the other hand, per thousand cellular phones is less than 1 in Nepal, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Burundi where the explosion and conflict are so pervasive.
After reading these facts and figures, it was very hard to believe on security personnel’s arguments. Perhaps, the best way out would be to not only resume mobile telephony services immediately but also extend it to the grassroots level (We should in fact emulate the Grameen mobile model of Bangladesh that has strongly helped in poverty alleviation– the root cause of conflict). Such initiatives will definitely help in peace building in a sustainable way through reduction of poverty and inequality. Please try to find alternative methods to reducing conflict and explosions rather than curbing the very rights of people.
After the European Union (EU) and India, Nepal’s largest bilateral donor, Japan has said it is gravely concerned over the arrest of persons concerned with political parties in the Kingdom of Nepal, and has strongly urged that the (government) release political leaders and restore the freedom guaranteed by the constitution promptly.
A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry of Japan in Tokyo on Thursday said, “What Nepal now needs is for the Government, political parties and citizens to pursue peace through unity.” Japan hopes that the Government and political parties will reach out to one another to this end, the statement added.
The Japanese government has also urged the Maoists to achieve peace through dialogue.
Police have arrested over 100 political leaders, human rights activists and civil leaders on Thursday — a day before the mass meet and protest rally planned by the seven party opposition alliance.
In the first international reaction to the crackdown on opposition leaders and rights activists by the royal government in Kathmandu on Thursday, the European Union has said it is extremely concerned about the recent developments in the Himalayan kingdom.
A brief statement issued by the Finnish embassy this afternoon said, “The EU Heads of Mission in Kathmandu are extremely concerned about the recent developments in Nepal, in particular about the arrests of democratic party leaders, members of civil society and human rights activists.”
“The EU is urgently considering implications of these developments,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, talking to Nepalnews this afternoon, Charge d’ Affairs at the Finnish embassy in Kathmandu, Pauli Mustonen, said the government should have taken steps for dialogue with the mainstream political parties to restore peace in the country.
He said that the EU had not expected such an action from the side of the government. He further said that the government should have reciprocated the Maoist ceasefire, which would have been a good initiative towards the restoration of peace and maintenance of security in the country.
“EU will be closely observing future developments,” he told us.
After the European Union (EU) and India, Nepal’s largest bilateral donor, Japan has said it is gravely concerned over the arrest of persons concerned with political parties in the Kingdom of Nepal, and has strongly urged that the (government) release political leaders and restore the freedom guaranteed by the constitution promptly.
A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry of Japan in Tokyo on Thursday said, “What Nepal now needs is for the Government, political parties and citizens to pursue peace through unity.” Japan hopes that the Government and political parties will reach out to one another to this end, the statement added.
The Japanese government has also urged the Maoists to achieve peace through dialogue.
Police have arrested over 100 political leaders, human rights activists and civil leaders on Thursday — a day before the mass meet and protest rally planned by the seven party opposition alliance.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said the government authorities have detained at least 113 opposition political leaders and human rights activists in Kathmandu on Thursday ahead of a major protest program of the seven-party alliance on Friday.
According to a press statement issued by the NHRC this evening, its monitoring team has found that 113 persons including several senior opposition political leaders and five and human rights activists have been detained by the security forces.
Among the arrested leaders and cadres, 59 are from the CPN (UML), 30 from Nepali Congress, nine from People’s Front Nepal (PFN), eight from the Nepali Congress (Democratic) and four leaders of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party leaders, the NHRC said.
Arrested human rights and civil society leaders are – Dr Mahura Shrestha, Krishna Pahari, Dr Devendra Raj Pandey, Nilambar Acharya and Shayam Shrestha.
A team led by NHRC member Sudeep Pathak met leaders of major political parties including NC president Girija Prasad Koirala and UML general secretary Madhav Nepal and inquired about the condition of detained leaders and cadres. The team also held separate discussions with Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chairman Pashupati Shumsher Rana and Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) Surya Bahadur Thapa over the human rights situation in the country.
The detained leaders and human rights activists have been kept at various police stations in the capital. Security officials had started rounding up the leaders from early morning.
Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala has been placed under house arrest at his Maharajgunj residence while CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal is under tight security surveillance, according to the NHRC.
The Home Ministry said altogether 100 persons were taken into security control today.
In the western district of Palpa, five political workers were detained by the security forces this afternoon, reports said.
Meanwhile, political parties, human rights groups and the international community have denounced the arrests of senior political leaders and human rights activists.
Issuing statements immediately after the arrests, various human rights groups and the international community said the government’s repressive actions were against the anti-democratic and against human rights norms.
The Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN (UML) issuing separate press statements said that by imposing ban on public gatherings and arresting the leaders and activists was trying to augment the authoritarian rule.
Similarly, various human rights groups including Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON), Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES), Forum for Protection of Human Rights (FOFUR) and Freedom Forum denounced the government action against political leaders and cadres and human rights workers, demanding immediate release of the arrested.
Likewise, India and the European Union (EU) have expressed “grave concern” over the Nepal’s government’s clampdown on the political parties.
Talking to media persons in New Delhi Thursday afternoon, spokesperson of the Indian External Affairs Ministry, Navtej Serna, said, “These actions of His Majesty’s government of Nepal are regrettable and a matter of grave concern to all those who wish to see the constitutional forces in Nepal working together to achieve peace and stability in the country.”
Similarly, a statement issued by the Finnish Embassy that chairs the 25-member EU said, “The EU Heads of Mission in Kathmandu are extremely concerned about the recent developments in Nepal, in particular about the arrests of democratic party leaders, members of civil society and human rights activists.”
Ian Martin (File Photo)
The United Nations’ Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal has said suspicions of Maoist violence in the context of public demonstrations cannot be used as a justification for the arrest of the demonstrations’ organisers, many of whom have repeatedly spoken out against the use of violence.
In a statement issued Thursday evening, the OHCHR-Nepal office said the human rights concerns raised by the severe restriction on the right to freedom of assembly are compounded by the mass arrests under powers of preventive detention, in apparent violation of the right to freedom from arbitrary arrest.
While recognising the serious security situation affecting Kathmandu in the light of Maoist attacks in the Kathmandu Valley on 14 January, OHCHR-Nepal regrets that the complete ban on demonstrations represents an extreme limitation on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, the statement said.
OHCHR-Nepal has also confirmed the arrests during the early morning of 19 January of over 100 persons under Public Security Act (PSA). Those arrested are political party leaders and activists, including students, and leaders of the civil society Citizens’ Movement for Peace and Democracy. Security forces personnel have also visited the homes of a number of prominent human rights defenders, the statement said.
The arrests follow the 16 January imposition of a ban on all assemblies, processions and sit-ins in most of Kathmandu and Lalitpur, ahead of a major demonstration called by the alliance of seven political parties for 20 January and other planned protest actions. Fifteen other persons have reportedly been served with three month detention orders under the PSA, following their arrest during activities in Kathmandu on 17 January which were regarded as violating the ban, the statement said.
The Public Security Act permits detention without trial, initially for up to 90 days, to prevent persons from committing actions that “undermine the sovereignty, integrity or public tranquility and order of the Kingdom.”
OHCHR representative met Home Minister Kamal Thapa on Thursday, the statement said. Sources said head of OHCHR mission in Nepal, Ian Martin, had called on Minister Thapa today. “During the meeting, Thapa stated that the ban was made necessary by information received by the authorities that the 20 January demonstration would be used by the CPN (Maoist) as an opportunity to incite or commit violence,” the statement said.
The Minister undertook that OHCHR-Nepal would be provided with the full list of those arrested and their places of detention, and would have access to them as guaranteed by the Agreement between the Government and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as would their families. During the day, OHCHR-Nepal human rights officers visited 97 of those arrested, in three places of detention: Maharajgunj Police Training Academy, Maharajgunj Police Battalion Camp Number 2, and Guheswari Armed Police Force camp in Bhaktapur, according to the statement.
Mahendra Police Club (MPC) were dealt a blow in their championship run as Mahabir Club (MC) held them to a goalless tie while Brigade Boys Club (BBC) beat Machhindra Football Club (MFC) 2-0 in matches played in the ANFA Martyrs’ Memorial “A” Division San Miguel League Football Tournament today.
Though the match was completely lopsided and dominated by MPC, they couldn’t score goals and squandered the chances they got. The loss saw Tribhuvan Army Club top the table with 44 points though MPC have one match in hand. MMC leapfrogged NTSC with better goal difference and are at second and third positions respectively with the 43 points each.
The injury hit cops fielded the oldest players of the league Raju Pulami and Rajendra Shrestha but nothing came in return. MPC seemed hapless without Hari Khadka, Ramesh Budhathoki and Ananta Thapa. MC played well, above everyone’s expectation and utilized their full strength to stop MPC.
“I am frustrated with my boys,” MPC coach Yogambar Suwal said. Bishnu Poudel, coach of MC was happy with the results. “They labored hard and managed to check man-to-man,” he said.
Elsewhere at Halchowk Stadium, yet another superb show from Obagbemiro
Junior helped Brigade Boys Club clinch victory over Machhindra FC.
Junior led his goal tally to 16 when scored an opener in the 19th minute. Shekhar Libu then doubled the tally in the 60th minute. The win saw BBC climbing to 10th position while MFC lies in fifth from bottom.
In an apparent attempt to thwart a major demonstration of seven agitating political parties, the government on Thursday evening announced to impose daytime curfew from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday.
Issuing a public notice, the Home Ministry imposed the curfew orders within the Ring Road in Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan City and parts of Bhaktapur districts, according to state-owned Nepal Television.
The ministry also asked the concerned authorities to make arrangements to bring government employees to their offices before the start of the curfew – in order to give continuity to government services.
The Home Ministry notice came within hours after the arrest of dozens of political leaders and human rights activists in Kathmandu.
Senior leaders of the seven-party alliance had announced to organise their mass meeting in Kathmandu despite the government ban on rallies and public gatherings.
Nighttime curfew orders are already in effect in the capital since Tuesday.
The government has said these restrictions have been imposed in view of possible Maoist infiltration in the parties’ demonstrations with a motive to trigger violence.