Their Majesties King Gyanendra and Queen Komal visited Salleri of Solukhumbu district on Sunday as part of their on-going visit of the eastern development region to take stock of the situation in the region.
His Majesty King Gyanendra being welcomed by ordinary citizens during his visit in Salleri, Solukhumbu district, Sunday.
Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yankila Sherpa, Zonal Administrator of the Sagarmatha zone Ram Kumar Subba and nominated head of District Development Committee (DDC) of Solukhumbu, Gopal Kirati, and other high ranking officials welcomed Their Majesties upon their arrival in Salleri, according to state run Radio Nepal.
DDC president Kirati briefed Their Majesties about the security situation and status of service delivery in the district.
Their Majesties interacted and listened to local people with keen interest.
Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yankila Sherpa
Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yankila Sherpa (File Photo)
His Majesty the King is acquiring information about the law and order situation and service delivery status in the districts of eastern development region.
Their Majesties have already visited Taplejung, Panchthar and Ilam districts of the Mechi Zone.
Their Majesties flew back to the ‘Purvi Pritana’ (Eastern divisional headquarters of the Royal Nepalese Army) at Itahari in Sunsari district on Sunday afternoon.
Their Majesties had left for the eastern region on January 1 and are scheduled to return to the capital on January 22. This is their second visit to the region after the Feb 1 royal takeover.
The CPN (UML) on Sunday condemned what the ‘intrusion’ of security personnel, posing as Maoists, in a gathering of party cadres in Baglung district yesterday.
Issuing a press statement, the UML said, “Our party, the CPN (UML), strongly denounces the undemocratic, immoral and inhuman intruding of the security personnel in the party program with the motive of breaching the 12-point accord [with the CPN-Maoist] and create rift among the seven parties.”
The UML also called upon its party cadres to be alert against the propoganda of the state in the days to come, “especially any vandalism by disguised security personnel and the spies,” the statement signed by Amrit Bohara, secretary of the Central Secretariat, further said.
The UML claimed that “disguised personnel of the Royal Nepalese Army” entered into the gathering organised by the party at a school premises in Kalimati.
“It has been as clear as the day light that the unconstitutional government with the state machinery is fabricating a grand design to abolish the democratic system, to create a violent situation against peace and to bring to an end all the fundamental rights of the people,” the UML said, accusing the government of trying to disunite the agitating political parties and turning the peaceful political movement into a violent one.
The party also denounced the misbehaving of the security forces with Hari Narayan Gautam, a local journalist, who revealed that the persons who introduced themselves as Maoists were in fact security personnel.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in a press statement said it was seriously concerned over the media reports about the alleged arrest and three-hour detention of journalist Gautam in an army barrack.
The ministry said that a security patrol was on its way to Bhir Lakuri of the same district and the security personnel had stopped at Kalimati after the locals informed that a gathering was underway there. The ministry explained that considering the sensitive situation in the area the commander of the security team didn’t mention his real name when two persons asked him to introduce himself.
“When two persons approached him for introduction, journalist Gautam, who was personally familiar with the team commander, disclosed his real name saying that “there is nothing to worry about the presence of the security men],” the statement said and added that due to sensitive situation Gautam was asked to accompany to a distance from where the army barrack would be contacted via mobile phone.
Gautam was requested not to disclose the identity of the security commander but he revealed it in front of the participants of the program, according to the statement.
Later on, the security officials respectfully let him go after some time, the ministry said.
Saying that the news reports could tarnish the image of the national armed force, the ministry also called upon the publications to officially rebuff the published reports.
Indian ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee (File Photo)
Indian ambassador to Nepal, Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, has said constitutional monarchy should remain the symbol of unity, continuity and integrity of the nation and where necessary, should not compete with the political parties for political power.
In an exclusive interview with Frontline programme of the private-sector Kantipur Television Sunday evening, the Indian envoy said India had very high stakes in Nepal and was very concerned (over latest developments in the kingdom).
Terming the withdrawal of unilateral ceasefire by the Maoists last week as “unfortunate,” ambassador Mukherjee said, “(To our mind), ceasefire should have been extended, reciprocated by the government and made permanent. If everybody wants peace, they should stop the blame game.”
Saying that peace was the most important thing, Mukherjee said out of peace comes political settlement and economic stability.
Responding to a query by host of the popular talk-show, Bijay Kumar on the forthcoming municipal polls in Nepal, the Indian envoy said, “Though elections are fundamentals of democracy, it may not be credible in a situation where political parties are calling for its active boycott.”
“The most sane, non-violent and practical way out is for the palace to reach out to parties and together bring Maoists to mainstream,” said Mukherjee. When asked about alleged role of India in bringing the seven-party opposition alliance and Nepali Maoists together, the Indian envoy said (India) did not have any role in it. He, however, said, “We don’t want to interfere in contacts developing between parties and the Maoists.”
The confident but relaxed-looking career diplomat said the situation in Nepal had gone out of the point where finger-pointing was an answer. “We applaud anybody breaking the ice. I personally think His Majesty’s Government should start peace process (without further delay),” he added.
Ambassador Mukherjee warned that if the stalemate continued and if the gap continued to the point were it was unbridgeable, (Nepal) is in for more violence.
Responding to a query on the Indian embargo on arms supply to Nepal, ambassador Mukherjee said, “We had helped Royal Nepalese Army to battle insurgency. After February 1, 2005, it was no longer the previous situation.”
Ambassador Mukherjee refused to buy the argument that Nepal was trying to use “China card” against India. He, however, said, “We expect all members of the international community, including China, not to add to complications.”
When asked about reports that India might impose 1988-89 kind of trade embargo on Nepal when the now extended bilateral transit treaty expires (in the next three months), ambassador Mukherjee said those reports were unfounded. “We always have been and will be positive on issues that are linked to Nepalese economy,” he added.
Jawalakhel Youth Club (JYC) lost 2-3 to Rani Pokhari Corner Team (RCT) with RCT scoring two goals in the last ten minutes in the ANFA Martyrs’ Memorial “A” Division League Football tournament after referee Lab Kharti did not hand out cards in a brawl that marred the match played at Dashrath stadium today.
JYC dominated the match from the start and the final result could have been varied if Doran Serchan and Jude N had not muffed goal scoring chances in the first ten minutes. Abdul Gani finally put JYC ahead in the 18th minute with his solo effort. JYC then doubled their lead in the 29th minute through RCT man Kedar Shrestha. Player-cum-singer Kedar scored an own goal while clearing the shot off Dipesh Thapa from the right flank. But the RCT guys didn’t let their spirit down and pulled one back in the 45+1 minute through Sikkim recruit Norbu Lama. Lama netted a beautiful one-touch goal utilizing the brilliant wall pass with fellow Rishi Rai.
The second half featured different stories to separate the match. Rajan Gauchan nearly scored a long range goal for RCT but hit the top bar in the 54th minute, while JYC seemed restive with their 2-1 lead.
Then in the 78 minute, a brawl occurred when JYC skipper Tilak Gurung pushed RCT men on a disputed fowl. The situation got out of control and punches were thrown with one of them being RCT skipper Binod Shahi punching JYC skipper Tilak Gurung. But the referee decided to hand out no cards to either team and the game resumed.
RCT capitalized on the lapse of concentration of JYC after the brawl and scored in the 82nd minute with Rishi Rai firing home a splendid goal dodging JYC goalie Nijamudin. The Sikkim recruits proved their worth in the 90+3 minute when Norbu Lama placed the ball in the second bar completing their come-from-behind victory.
BBC, Sankata share honors
Brigade Boys Club (BBC) continued its good form but locked horns 2-2 against Sankata Club in the other match played today at the Dashrath Stadium.
BBC couldn’t hold the game despite taking the lead twice. New face Raju Rai scored an opener for BBC early in the 5th minute utilizing the blunder of Sankata goalie Sangeet Rajak, a national U-19 goalie. But, Sankata restored parity through Sikkim recruit Nilendra Dewan, who scored on Rojit KC’s rebound ball which was half cleared by BBC lanky goalie Binod Gurung.
In-form BBC striker Obagbemiro showed some somersaul
At a time when the government is facing criticism at national and international level for its dismal performance for the protection of human rights, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Niranjan Thapa has said human rights is the 1990 Constitution’s first priority.
Niranjan Thapa (File photo)
Niranjan Thapa (File photo)
Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day seminar organised by the Ministry in Pokhara on Friday for creating awareness on human rights laws among the government officers, Minister Thapa said, “In the first place a constitution cannot be written if human rights is not given first priority where rule of law governs.”
He said the 1990 Constitution is alive just because of the judiciary and added the first responsibility of the security organs is to protect the human rights, reports said.
Although the security personnel are blamed for violation of the human rights, they have not crossed the international human rights law,” he said, adding: “The government has initiated action against them when it is found that they have violated the human rights.”
Defending the February 1 royal takeover he said that the King had taken the February 1 move for conservation of the 1990 Constitution.
Stating that no party should prevent people from exercising their adult franchise, he urged the parties who have announced to boycott the elections to join it.
The government will lend its full support to the election commission which is determined to hold the election, he said.
The government is holding the municipal polls on February 8 despite the call from seven political parties to boycott it and Maoists’ threats to disrupt it.
The three-day central regional conference of the Rajparishad concluded on Friday adopting a 9-point resolution condemning the seven-party alliance for its 12-point pact with the Maoists.
According to participants of the conference, the resolution would be submitted to the King for ‘effective implementation’.
Former chief of the Army Staff, Satchit Shumsher Rana, presented a working paper in the meet that said, “The seven-party alliance should bring the Maoists to talk to the government if it is really serious about peace in the country.”
It also came down heavily on India, the USA, the UK and Belgium for “suspending arms supply to Nepal at a time when she is fighting terrorism”.
It urged the agitating parties to give up ‘street demonstrations’ and the Maoists to join the political mainstream.
The proposals endorsed by the Conference further states that the King’s participation in the SAARC Summit, address to the Summit, visit to some African countries has been very fruitful and substantial.
The proposal lays special emphasis on the effective implementation of the 21-point programme of the government announced after the royal takeover.
Similarly, the proposal calls for resolving the unemployment problem and the problem related to the freed Kamaiyas and the land-less squatters on time and the Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) to devise strong measures for stemming corruption at the lowest level.
The Supreme Court is examining the constitutionality of the controversial RCCC.
During the conference, working papers on 11 different themes on contemporary issues were presented and discussed.
Prior to this, the Regional Conference of the Rajparishad has been held in all the four Development Regions. The regional conferences in all the five development regions will be followed by a Central Conference of the Rajparishad, Rajparishad members said.
General Secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal has ruled out the possibility of reconciliation with the monarchy, which did not comply with and hear the public voice.
General Secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal (File photo)
General Secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal (File photo)
Addressing a mass meeting in Birgunj on Friday Nepal said, “The palace has been deceiving us since 2007 BS. The political parties will not make the mistake of kneeling down before it again.”
Nepal also urged the participants in the mass meeting not to suspect the parties’ motives. “We have learnt from history and our past mistakes,’ he said. He said that that no one would be able to stop the democratic movement in the country.
Nepal said the people believed that the political parties alone could restore peace in the country by bringing the Maoists into political mainstream. Nepal also expressed his disappointment over Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s decision to participate in the polls.
Referring to the withdrawal of Maoists’ four month long ceasefire, Nepal said, “The King has pushed the Maoists back to their violent ways. He believes that his autocratic regime will be extended if the war prolongs.”
Bam Dev Gautam
Bam Dev Gautam
(File photo)
Standing committee member Bam Dev Gautam said the palace had always conspired to perpetuate political instability in order to gain power.
“We will not let the polls be successful at any cost. Let the government put prices on our heads and issue red corner notices against us,” he said.
The King himself has forced the political parties into choosing the path of republicanism, Gautam said, adding, “The ongoing movement would restructure the State and bring total inclusive democracy.”
Prior to the mass meeting the CPN-UML staged a massive demonstration.
Thousands of party activists from Parsa, Bara and Rautahat districts and many locals participated in the demonstration organised to make the public aware of the need to boycott the upcoming municipal polls.
Former speaker and one of the drafters of the 1990 constitution Daman Nath Dhungana has said that election to a constituent assembly is a must to resolve present problems dogging the country.
Daman Nath Dhungana
Daman Nath Dhungana
(File photo)
Speaking at an interaction program on ‘Inclusive democracy: discourse and structure,’ organized by the Freedom Forum, Dhungana said, “The nation should go for a constituent assembly to bring the rebels into mainstream politics, ending their violence, and to take a decision about the monarchy’s position as well.”
He however said that both the King and the political parties need a sincere and credible guaranteer to ensure preparation as well as the election for a constituent assembly takes place in a free and fair manner.
“It is possible that the King may dissolve the assembly if its result is against him and for this involvement of a third party is a must to ensure an impartial and fair result of the election,” he said.
He also criticised the political parties for not being open and committed to the election to a constituent assembly.
Political analyst prof. Krishna Khanal said that the ongoing movement should be targeted at overall restructural change in the state mechanism to address and integrate excluded groups. He claimed that monarchy was not an essential part of democracy.
“We have given chances to four kings in the past 50 years, after Nepal was freed from the Ranas, but all of them only betrayed us,” he said.
Shambhu Thapa, president of Nepal Bar Association, outlined the need of internal democratic practices within the democratic forces.
Bhutanese refugees have decided to assemble at the Mechi bridge along the Nepal-India border every Friday calling upon the Indian government to exert its influence to help resolve the 15-year-old refugee impasse, a news report said.
About 80 refugees from different camps under the banner of National Front for Democracy in Bhutan (NFDB) gathered at the bridge Friday and shouted slogans, demanding the intervention of the Indian government to mediate between Nepal and Bhutan for their resettlement, Webindia123.com, an Indian news portal, reported Saturday.
Scores of Indian police personnel were, however, guarding the Indian border so that no refugee could enter this side. Many refugees in the past had tried to return to Bhutan via India. But they failed as the Indian government refused to let the refugees to cross the Indian territory.
The refugees have no other alternate route except Indian roads to enter Bhutan.
NFDB’s spokesman Narad Adhikary said both the governments of India and Bhutan were aware of the plights of the refugees, living at the mercy of grant from the United Nations for the past one and half decades.
Adikari said the delay in the settlement of the refugee problem would cost many lives as many insurgent outfits in the region were luring the youths to take arms rather than go for peaceful movement.
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.
While calling upon interntaionalising the issue, refugee leaders have also been urging India to expert its pressure upon Bhutanese monarch Jigme Singye Wangchuk to take back his own bonafide citizens. As per a bilateral treaty, India takes care of the foreign and defense affairs of the tiny Himalayan kingdom.
The Nepali Congress (Democratic), an ally in the seven-party coalition that has been waging a pro-democracy movement, has officially removed ‘constitutional monarchy’ from its statute.
Former Prime Minister and NC (Democratic) President Sher Bahaudur Deuba (File photo)
Former Prime Minister and NC (Democratic) President Sher Bahaudur Deuba (File photo)
The first general convention of the party, which is underway at the Birendra International Convention Centre, Kathmandu, today endorsed a proposal to break from the constitutional monarchy “as the King has made continuous attempts to curtail the rights of the people even as the latter have always stood by him.” The proposal also pointed out that the steps taken by the King have proved that democracy and monarchy cannot go together in the country.
The proposal, drafted in the meeting of the central working committee prior to the general convention, was passed unanimously in the close-door session, which ended Saturday afternoon. The close-door session also ratified the political, economic and social proposals with some amendment, leaders said.
Two major allies in the seven-party coalition, CPN (UML) and the Nepali Congress (NC), have already removed constitutional monarchy from their party statutes, holding the ‘royal autocracy’ responsible in the path towards ‘total democracy’.
Meanwhile, the NC (D) general convention has elected Sher Bahadur Deuba as the party president for a second term as nobody filed nomination challenging him.
Acting party president Gopal Man Shrestha and central leaders, Deep Kumar Upadhaya, Hom Nath Dahal, Kishor Singh Rathore, Basanta Gurung, Bal Krishna Khad and Dr Prakash Saran Mahat proposed Deuba’s name for the party president’s post while Bijay Gachhedar, Bimalendra Nidhi, Gyanendra Karki, NP Saud, Uma Adhikari, Dr Minendra Rijal, Ramesh Rijal supported the proposal.
Deuba, who was ousted from the prime minister’s seat on February 1 2005 when the King assumed direct power, is facing jail since last few months on corruption charges in the Melamchi Drinking Water Project contract.
Likewise, the NC (D) elected Prakash Man Singh, who is in custody on corruption charges in the same case, as the CWC member.
1,465 general convention representatives will cast votes to elect 26 CWC members on Sunday.
The NC (D) has allocated five seats for indigenous communities, women, Dalits and Karnali region in the CWC. As per the amended party statute, two seats each will be reserved for indigenous communities and women and one each for Dalits and the Karnali region.