Four Nepali youths were killed when a car they were traveling in collided with another vehicle in Texas, United States, on Friday, reports said Saturday.
The accident took place when a car, which was trying to pass another vehicle, hit the car the Nepalese were in, reports said.
Among the victims, Amrit Dhital, 21, Pralhad Gurung, 22 and Puskar Acharya 21 died on the spot while Subash Gurung, 20, was pronounced dead in Fairfield Regional Hospital in Fairfield, the online edition of Waco Tribute Herald reported Saturday quoting the Department of Public Safety spokesman.
The four were in a rental 2005 Dodge Stratus heading northbound on US Highway 79 from Houston, to Tyler, while they collided with Betty Langford’s 2004 Jaguar heading southbound. Mrs Langford had attempted to pass another vehicle (on a bridge) and hit the 2005 Dodge Stratus carrying the Nepali students, according to the Department of Public Safety spokesman.
Subash Gurung, Pralad Gurung and Amrit Dhital were students at San Jacinto College, Houston, while Pukar Acharya was a student at the University of Texas, Tyler, the Nepalese Association of Houston said.
The Association added that all four had arrived in the US on January 2004 from Nobel Institute. Amrit resided in Banepa, Dhulikhel, Subash in Bijuli Bazar, Baneswor, Pukar in Battish Putali, and Pralhad in Bansbari, in Kathmandu. They were previously students at Lewis Clark State College, Lewingston, Idaho. Subash and Pralhad Gurung had transferred to Houston after the summer of 2004. Amrit had transferred at a later date, the Association added.
Mrs Langford was also killed.
This is the second deadly accident involving Nepalis in the US in less than a week. Three Nepali students had died in a similar car accident in southern Minnesota on January 4.
As the Maoist ceasefire ends, the King cannot delay reaching out to pro-democracy forces much longer
By Yubaraj Ghimire
An experiment with peace by Nepal’s Maoists worked quite satisfactorily for four months. The average of ten killings a day dropped down to less than one, and tourist traffic into the country increased by 15 per cent as guns fell silent in Nepal during the period. But on January 2, the Maoists declared an end to the truce and announced resumption of violence, asserting that “the right to revolt against the feudal tyranny is our biggest human right”. In the first three days, there were about half a dozen explosions in different parts of the country, including one in western Mahendra Nagar in which three security personnel were wounded.
Maoists had declared the ceasefire unilaterally for three months on September 3, a week before King Gyanendra was scheduled to embark on a visit to the United States where he was expected to solicit international support for his campaign against “terrorism”. US President George Bush sent across a humiliating message to the king around the same time to the effect that he would be among eight heads of state not to be invited during a reception he would be hosting if the king did not restore democracy. Adding salt to injury, major political parties wrote to the UN secretary general not to entertain the king as the legitimate representative of the country as “he had unconstitutionally appropriated executive power”.
The international community’s cold reception to the king’s overtures had a visible impact on Nepal’s internal politics. Maoists and seven pro-democracy parties opposing the king’s takeover on February 1, 2005, found common cause under the banner of anti-monarchism. Maoists could not have achieved this rapport without putting their arms into disuse. In fact, the truce led to the two sides signing a 12-point charter of understanding on November 22 in Delhi, pledging to work together for a “democratic republic” within the framework of a multi-party parliamentary system. They agreed on the need for an elected constituent assembly which would decide on restructuring the state apparatus and design a new constitution to replace the one launched 14 years ago, following the end of the king’s direct rule in 1990.
In fact, there had been doubts in political circles as well as in the international community about the Maoists’ sincerity in professing allegiance to the peace process. Even the parties which had signed the memorandum of understanding had made it clear that they could not work together with the Maoists so long as they did not renounce violence permanently.
But now these parties are blaming the king more than the Maoists for the end of the ceasefire. King Gyanendra consistently turned down appeals from all sides — the UN, India, US and European Union included — to reciprocate the ceasefire and give peace a chance. The king’s only concrete commitment to returning Nepal to democracy was to hold elections for 58 municipalities in the country on February 8, and then to the House of Representatives in April 2007.
The point is that the monarch makes little attempt to hide his hatred for major political parties, and that accounts for the reaction of these political parties. They have decided to boycott the elections. Maoists have said they would target candidates and government officials on election duty. Political parties say that they are committed to a sustained political movement for the establishment of a “full-fledged democracy” — while leaving space for a truly constitutional monarch.
Why did the government not reciprocate the ceasefire even when the Royal Nepal Army suggested to the king that “we should turn the situation to our advantage”? There are many theories floating around, but the one which sounds most plausible is that the king, surrounded by his coterie, is in a vengeful mood. He is apparently confident that the military solution alone will contain the “terrorists”. Dr Tulsi Giri, vice chairperson of the council of ministers, even claimed that the Maoists felt forced to declare a ceasefire because “the government has broken their back”.
Moreover, in the government’s assessment, the understanding for the ceasefire was between the Maoists and the seven parties only, with no role provided for the government.
The international community has expressed frustration over the end of the ceasefire, an expression that is certainly not charitable to the king, and it has been reiterated that the conflict does not have a military solution. It has been followed by repeated appeals for a ceasefire by both sides, and cancellation of the proposed municipality elections, so that the king and political parties can initiate a substantive dialogue.
King Gyanendra has in months past assured UN Secretary General Kofi Annan that he is seeking a return to democracy. He said as much to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during their first meeting after the takeover way back in April 2005 in Jakarta. He repeated the same thing in Dhaka when they met at the SAARC summit. But he was more assertive — it was his model of democracy that he wanted to restore. Polls would be held under his regime, no matter whether major parties participated or not.
Meanwhile, the Royal Nepal Army with around 82,000 personnel is feeling the crunch as India and pro-democracy countries have stopped the regular supplies of ammunition. The government recently got 18 truckloads of arms and ammunition from China, but there are doubts whether the requirement can be matched from the north alone.
There is still no sign of political dialogue with the political parties and steps for the restoration of democracy. If the king does not change, that would be a sign that he is putting at risk Nepal’s monarchy, an institution that is 237 years old. His unpopularity is rising by the day.
Nepal is at the crossroads. Which way it goes from here will depend on whether the king reaches out to pro-democracy forces, or augments the crushing power of the RNA with arms supplied by China.
Ghimire is the editor of SAMAY weekly newsmagazine published from Kathmandu. This article is reproduced here courtesy Indian Express– a leading Indian newspaper.
(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] and your comments/suggestions to [email protected])
The government has nominated eight persons to the vacant post of members in the Board of Directors of four institutions under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) for a term of two years.
The MoIC took the decision on January 4.
According to the minister of state level decision of the government, Meera Rana and Ruby Joshi have been nominated as member of the Radio Broadcasting Service Development Committee.
According to MoIC, Madhusudhan Pradhan has been nominated as member of the Film Development Board, while Purna Ratna Bajracharya, Kiran Pandey and Jal Shah have been nominated as members of the Central Film Sensor Board.
Manohari Thapa and Jasodha Pradhan have been appointed as members of Nepal Television Board of Directors.
The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has said that it is deeply concerned over the media reports regarding the statement issued by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which states that 14 people disappeared by the state were found in the RNA barracks.
A press statement issued by Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) of RNA Friday morning said that the names of the people in detention mentioned in the statement issued by the NHRC were given either to the National Human Rights Commission, Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at a prior date.
“The Directorate of Public Relations would like to state that information regarding the detention of Hom Prakash Shrestha of Rukum district, Man Bahadur Malla of Salyan, Jaya Bahadur Gharti and Kal Bahadur Gharti of Rolpa and Chakra Bahadur Thapa of Udaypur following their surrender was given to the NHRC on 26 December 2005,” the statement added.
The statement further said the detention of Dutta Bahadur Budha, Harischandra Budha and Bharat Pandey of Jumla district, Balram Chaudhari of Kailali, Ganesh Prasad Sharma of Dailekh, Buddhiman Sarki of Dolpa and Chhabisara Sunar of Bardia was notified by the RNA to the OHCHR and the ICRC.
The statement said that Krishna Prasad Mainali of Kailali district and Jit Bahadur Thapa of Palpa district surrendered to the security forces on 24 October 05 and 16 December 05 respectively and are being kept in the Jag Dal barrack for their personal security.
“Their names are in the process of being updated with the NHRC, OHCHR and ICRC,” the statement added.
The NHRC on Wednesday said that it found altogether 14 disappeared persons detained in the two barracks–nine persons including one woman in Jagdal Battalion and five men in Mahabir Battalion during their inspection to two Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) barracks.
The DPR also said, “The DPR regrets media reports appearing in the press today, which could have been deliberately aimed at tarnishing the image of the country’s army by misinterpreting the NHRC statement.”
The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has said that it is deeply concerned over the media reports regarding the statement issued by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which states that 14 people disappeared by the state were found in the RNA barracks.
A press statement issued by Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) of RNA Friday morning said that the names of the people in detention mentioned in the statement issued by the NHRC were given either to the National Human Rights Commission, Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at a prior date.
“The Directorate of Public Relations would like to state that information regarding the detention of Hom Prakash Shrestha of Rukum district, Man Bahadur Malla of Salyan, Jaya Bahadur Gharti and Kal Bahadur Gharti of Rolpa and Chakra Bahadur Thapa of Udaypur following their surrender was given to the NHRC on 26 December 2005,” the statement added.
The statement further said the detention of Dutta Bahadur Budha, Harischandra Budha and Bharat Pandey of Jumla district, Balram Chaudhari of Kailali, Ganesh Prasad Sharma of Dailekh, Buddhiman Sarki of Dolpa and Chhabisara Sunar of Bardia was notified by the RNA to the OHCHR and the ICRC.
The statement said that Krishna Prasad Mainali of Kailali district and Jit Bahadur Thapa of Palpa district surrendered to the security forces on 24 October 05 and 16 December 05 respectively and are being kept in the Jag Dal barrack for their personal security.
“Their names are in the process of being updated with the NHRC, OHCHR and ICRC,” the statement added.
The NHRC on Wednesday said that it found altogether 14 disappeared persons detained in the two barracks–nine persons including one woman in Jagdal Battalion and five men in Mahabir Battalion during their inspection to two Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) barracks.
The DPR also said, “The DPR regrets media reports appearing in the press today, which could have been deliberately aimed at tarnishing the image of the country’s army by misinterpreting the NHRC statement.”
In a bid to provide easy service to its patients, National Academy of Medical Science (NAMS) Bir Hospital is starting its Trauma Centre within the next eighteen months.
The state run Rising Nepal quoted Medical Superintendent at the NAMS, Bir Hospital, Dr Damodar Prasad Pokhrel, as saying that patients would get services within one-and-a-half years after the construction of the center is completed.
The Indian government has provided an assistance of Rs 50 million for the construction of the centre.
Dr Pokhrel said that the centre would have 200 beds and poor and needy patients would get easy and reliable services.
“We decided to set up the trauma centre after receiving patients of all kinds; although we do not have any facilities for mentally deranged patients, we do get them from time to time,” Dr Pokhrel said.
Dr Pokhrel also refuted the media reports that the hospital had increased service charges.
“We have discussing about increasing the charges only for those who can pay for the services, the hospital is not increasing its charges for the poor and needy patients,” he said.
The charges for those opting to stay in the cabins have been raised by 10 percent while the pathology charges have been raised as per the increase of price of the different lab materials in the local market.
Dr Pokhrel claimed that the hospital was devoted to the service of the poor and needy patients. “We have been providing treatment to those patients who are turned down by other hospitals,” he said.
He said that the hospital had been providing Rs 50 million charity to the poor and needy people every year. Out of 426 beds, patients have to pay for only 24 beds, others are for free, he informed. The total budget given by the government to the hospitals stands at Rs 107 million for the present fiscal year.
There has been reports of a clash between security forces and Maoists at Chandranigahapur of Rautahat district on the Mahendra Highway on Friday morning.
The clash took place at around 9 a.m. in the morning after the Maoists opened fire at a regular patrol of the unified security forces. The Maoists were trying to plant an ambush targeting the security forces when they reached there.
According to the Royal Nepalese Army, some causalities on the rebels’ side are suspected. Security forces have started search operations in the area.
Further details are awaited.
The government has come up with much awaited ‘National Water Plan’ (NWP) for sustainable development of water resources of the country.
The NWP, aimed at raising the standard of living of the people through phase-wise and systematic development of water resources, was made public amidst a function in the capital Wednesday.
The NWP includes a 5-year short-term, 15-year mid-term and 5-year long-term objectives. Ten strategies have been stipulated to meet these objectives.
Sixty-three important activities have been identified to achieve and maintain strategic goals.
The NWP, to be implemented by 2027 to generate 4,000 MW electricity, is estimated to cost Rs 1,200 billion. The government aims to generate money from its sources and also donors to implement the ambitious NWP.
By 2007, the government wants to take the hydropower generating capacity to 700 MW in order to meet domestic need.
By 2017, 2,100 MW hydropower electricity generation is planned and by 2027, 4,000 MW electricity will be generated.
According to officials at the Water and Energy Commission secretariat, proposed action programmes such as developing cost-effective micro, small and medium hydropower projects, enhancing rural electrification, improving power system planning, encouraging private investment in hydropower development and electric power distribution and power sector reforms are scheduled to be carried out in between.
The NWP also aims to provide better irrigation to help boost agriculture, access to electricity to all, bring about social parity and help meet the poverty alleviation goals of the country.
In terms of investment, the share of hydropower is highest (42 percent) followed by irrigation (22 percent), drinking water and sanitation (19 percent), rural electrification (seven percent) and others (less than five percent).
The NWP also aims to develop an effective mechanism to review the existing agreement with India on use of water and electricity, inter alias.
Visiting leaders of major political parties in India have expressed hope that democracy will be restored in Nepal soon.
Visiting Indian political leaders in an interaction program on the current political situation in Nepal in Kathmandu, Friday, Jan 06 06. nepalnews.com/rh
Addressing a Face to Face programme organised by the Reporters Club in Kathmandu on Friday, senior Indian leader and Secretary of Nepal Democracy Solidarity Committee (NDSC), DP Tripathi, said massive participation of people in the meetings organized by opposition parties in Nepal had shown in which direction the wind was blowing. “We hope democracy will be restored in Nepal soon,” he added.
Senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and acting chief of the NDSC, Sitaram Yechuri, quoted former premier and senior Nepali Congress leader, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, as saying that democracy will be restored in Nepal within a month.
Visiting Indian leaders, who had arrived Kathmandu at the invitation of Nepali Congress (Democratic) party, called on NC leader Bhattarai, NC president G P Koirala and other opposition leaders during their stay.
Yechuri said restoration of peace, democracy and normalcy in Nepal was an integral element for stability in South Asia. He said it was up to the people of Nepal to choose which type of political system they wanted. We are only extending our moral support for the on-going pro-democracy movement in Nepal, he added.
Responding to a query by Nepalnews if India is reviewing the “twin pillar” theory in Nepal after the recent visit of Indian Foreign Secretary, Shyam Saran, Yechuri—whose party is extending crucial support to the United Progressive Alliance government of India—said India was always in favour of constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy in Nepal. “That must be restored,” he added.
Yechury termed the ending of unilateral ceasefire by CPN (Maoist) as unfortunate. He appealed to Maoists (in both Nepal and India) to give up violence and join the democratic process. He, however, said the 12-point understanding between the seven party opposition alliance of Nepal and CPN (Maoist) was an encouraging and positive move. He expressed hope that Nepali political parties, CPN (M) and people of Nepal would be able to decide the future form of democracy in the country on the basis of that understanding. “What is important is the supremacy of people. Everything should come under civilian control including the army,” he added.
When asked about the import of arms by Nepal from China, Yechury said as a sovereign country, Nepal had the right to establish bilateral relations with any other sovereign country of the world. He said (India) would not interfere in the sovereign decisions of Nepal.
Responding to a query on the forthcoming municipal polls in Nepal, Yechuri said any elections without the restoration of multi-party democracy in the country would be nothing but farcical. “We honour the (opposition) parties’ decision to boycott it. It would be tantamount to recognizing the entire system (put in place after the royal takeover),” he added.
Leader of the main opposition party of India, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bijay Jolly, who was part of the Indian delegation, was quizzed by reporters regarding Viswo Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader, Ashok Singhal’s statement supporting the royal takeover in Nepal last year.
Jolly said VHP – a member of the Sangha parivar—was a social/cultural organisation with independent status. “Political decisions are taken by BJP and they are independent of clear-cut ideological stand of other members of Sangha (Rastriya Swoyamsevak Sangh) family,” he said. “As a political party we are committed to constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy in Nepal,” he added.
Jolly disclosed that top leadership of the BJP had “very close” relationship with the royal palace of Nepal. “We also have cordial relationship with the political parties of Nepal. My visit here is to show that,” he added.
A leader of Communist Party of India (CPI), Pallav Sen Gupta, said Indian people wanted to see a prosperous and democratic Nepal based on rule of law. “We extend our support and solidarity to Nepali people’s movement for the restoration of democracy,” he added.
Dr Ramesh Dixit of the Indian Nationalist Congress said democracy was the only way to attain economic prosperity. He said any type of violence could not be justified under any pretext. He also urged the Maoists to give up violence. Dixit said Nepal was able to make considerable economic progress when democratic parties were in power.
Indian leaders had also addressed the first general convention of the breakaway Nepali Congress (Democratic) party in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Nine people, including seven Nepalis, were killed when the truck they were traveling in met with an accident in the northern Uttar Pradesh state of India on Thursday, the state-run Radio Nepal said Friday.
Radio Nepal quoted Indian officials as saying that the truck was carrying construction materials.
Details were not immediately available.