PEACE IN NEPAL

Election in Nepal

2008-04-16T19:34:00.000-07:00

Indulged in what some call "pseudo civil war" and others call "people's war" for more than 13 years, after witnessing a terrible massacre of the royal family and numerous protests and demonstrations, it seems like the small south Asian country of Nepal is headed towards peace.

Nepali people will be able to vote after a long time, as no elections have been held since 1999 due to political instability and unrest mainly due to Maoist's war.

Nepal's government and Maoist former rebels have set today for the elections for the national assembly expected to prepare a new constitution and formally decide the fate of nearly 240-year-old Nepalese monarchy and federalism. This election is the focus of the 2006 comprehensive peace accord with the Maoist rebels, allowing the former rebels to join the political mainstream.

The elections will elect a representative body who will be in charge of drafting a new constitution for Nepal. This will be first time that the people of Nepal will be provided an opportunity to speak out and express their views on the future direction of the country, which many believe will be prove very fruitful.

An election for a constituent assembly will be held today after having been postponed from two earlier dates-June 10, 2006, and Nov. 22, 2007. Nepal's election commission said that there are around 17.5 million eligible voters. A huge number of national and international agencies will be monitoring the election, including the Carter Center from the U.S. Former U.S. president and co-founder of the Carter Center, Jimmy Carter, is in Kathmandu leading a 60-member international election observer mission. During his stay in Nepal, Carter is scheduled to meet leaders of political parties, election commission officials, civil society representatives and members of the election observation groups. The Carter Center has been deploying its long-term observers to Nepal since March 2007

A constituent assembly election is needed in the Himalayan country of Nepal, suffering from political unrest and violence, to restructure the nation according to the aspirations of the People's Movement-II, to reach a decision on the future of monarchy, to ensure democratic rule of law, to ensure proportional representation in all the bodies of state, to institutionalize the people's sovereignty and to create an atmosphere for all the citizens to exercise equal rights and to bring peace back to a nation which a few decades ago was stable, safe and leading towards development.

One of the main challenges in Nepal has been to balance the many competing demands for political inclusion while maintaining peace and preparing for a unique electoral event. Nepal's population is an incredible blend of people from diverse social, economic, and political backgrounds, and after more than a decade of civil war there is a high level of mistrust. This wariness has often led the chief political parties to delay the original timetable for the constituent assembly elections even as they have more or less been campaigning for people's support.

Since these are the first of their kind in Nepal, the constituent assembly elections have required labor-intensive logistical preparations by the election commission and a lot of support from the United Nations and others. The biggest challenge after the election will be to figure out how to make the constituent assembly function in ways that continue to solicit the views of Nepali citizens. Many think of the constituent assembly election as a starting point to determine who gets to the negotiating table and who will bear the responsibility for drafting a new constitution that describes the basic principles and form of government for Nepal.

This constituent assembly election is of great interest to people like me who are currently abroad. Even though I will not be able to vote, I will be desperately waiting to see the outcome and am interested to see if all the parties and the royalists will accept the outcome of the election. International leaders and diplomatic missions have been regularly urging everybody to create an environment for fair polls and accept the results.

One of the biggest fears for all is that the Maoist rebels who have finally joined the mainstream politics will not accept the results of the elections. It is feared that if they do not accept the results, another revolt and civil unrest might be on the way. Nepal's situation has been a key concern for thousands of students currently studying abroad. Many claim that it is often difficult to focus on study or work when they hear about demonstrations and bombings in Nepal. The number of Nepalese youth going abroad for studies has more than doubled in the last five years due to political instability in the country. However, it is my understanding that most are willing to return to Nepal and help in the transformation and development if the country is politically stable and safer. Political instability in Nepal has hampered its tourism industry greatly, which is the biggest source of the Himalayan country's economy. I am very hopeful that this peace process will flow smoothly and restore peace and political stability in Nepal.

Nepal Election News

2008-03-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission (EOM) has stressed on an atmosphere free of violence and intimidation in the upcoming election to Constituent Assembly (CA).

Head of the EU EOM Jan Mulder said at a press conference in Kathmandu on Tuesday that the political parties and other all stakeholders have responsibility to ensure that there would be appropriate environment for the polls and people could exercise their democratic right to vote freely.

Mulder said the main mandate given to the EU EOM was to observe if the polls were held in a free and fair manner by meeting the international norms and standards. The mission has already started mobilizing the observers.

He informed that the EU EOM was going to mobilise 120 observers to take account of situation for the elections. The mission will also coordinate with international and domestic organisations working to observe poll so that polls will be monitored well in the remote areas, according him.

The mission will be observing the activities like poll campaigns, voting process the and general environment, according him.

When asked if the polls would be reasonably free in the present context, he said that making a clear assessment at the moment would be premature.

He also made it clear that the EU EOM would not comment on what might happen after the CA polls.

Mulder said that the mission would make public its preliminary report on its findings right after the CA elections and the final report would be published after two months of the end of electoral process.

Source: Nepalnews

Election in Nepal

2008-03-18T17:08:00.001-07:00

he Election Commission (EC) has made the closed-list of candidates for proportional representation based election public.

The EC has made public the list of 6000 candidates of 54 political parties.

The EC has allotted till March 25 for filing protests against any candidate.

The political parties were asked to file closed-list of their PR candidates by including specific percentage for Madhesis, Janajatis, women, Dalit and backward groups.

According to a press release by the EC, 3068 of the candidates in the list are women. There are 1981 Madhesi candidates; 680 Dalits; 2138 Janajatis; 183 from backward regions; and 1750 from other groups. "Since each individual might represent multiple groups, the total of these numbers might exceed the total number of the candidates in the closed-list," states the release.

The EC has stated that although 55 parties had filed closed-list, Rastriya Janabhawana Party has been disqualified for presenting flouting the legal provisions.

Of the total 601 seats of Constituent Assembly (CA), 335 candidates will be elected based on PR election.
Source : Nepalnews

NEW NEPAL THAT THE MAOISTS ARE PLANNING

2008-03-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

Source: the himalayan times
For presidential, three-tier political system, 11 states.

The CPN-Maoist today made public its election manifesto.
Party chairman Prachanda unveiled the manifesto with the theme “New Ideology and New Leadership for a New Nepal.”
The manifesto proposes a three-tier political structure — centre, autonomous federal states and local bodies — with specific rights and responsibility among them.
The party has proposed 11 autonomous federal states and two other sub-states within them keeping in mind the country’s ethnic composition, geographical contiguity, linguistic base and economic viability.
Seti-Mahakali and Bheri-Karnali federal states have been proposed based on their geographical appropriateness while the rest — Magarat, Tharuwan, Tamuwan, Newa:, Tamsaling, Kirat, Limbuwan, Kochila and Madhes — have been proposed based on ethnicity (See the map). Within the Madhes autonomous state, three sub-states — Mithila, Bhojpura and Awadh — have also been proposed on linguistic basis.
The party has proposed making the country’s president more powerful than the PM. The party has proposed electing the executive president directly by the people while the PM shall be elected by MPs.
There shall be a bicameral legislature at the centre and unicameral legislature in federal states. Members of the Lower House of the central legislature shall be elected on the basis of population of the given districts while the Upper House shall have an equal members from all the federal states.
The president shall act as head of state, commander-in-chief of the national army and the chief executive. The PM shall bear the responsibility of the government and its daily administration. There shall be a governor and a chief minister in each of the federal autonomous states.
There shall be three-tier judicial structures: Supreme Court, High Courts and district courts followed by civil courts and reconciliation centres. The SC shall be developed as an institution to resolve the serious legal, constitutional and inter-states issues, disputes between the states on sharing and utilisation of national resources and means.
The centre shall have control over the security of international border, military management, foreign relations, inter-s-tate trade and commerce, monetary policy and central bank, customs
revenue, mega hydro-power projects, railways, airw-ays and national highways, central universities and weights.
Rest of other rights shall remain on the state governments. The issues of local transportation, local taxation, education, sanitation and utilisation of local resources shall be handled by the local elected bodies.
Making public the manifesto, party chairman Prachanda said it largely reflected the dreams of a new Nepal that they had seen during the decade-old People’s War. Dr Baburam Bhattarai who drafted the paper said the framework of a new Nepal was based on giving utmost priority to “nationalism, federalism and economic transformation” of the country.

The polls are bound to happen this time

2008-02-29T13:35:00.001-08:00

KATHMANDU, Feb 29 - Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Bhoj Raj Pokhrel on Friday said the electoral programmes can not be rescheduled again.
Addressing media persons after his meeting with US Ambassador to Nepal Nancy J. Powell today, CEC Pokhrel claimed that the Election Commission (EC) exercised flexibility this time although the new electoral programmes have brought challenges to the EC.

He added that the programmes for the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections fixed earlier were postponed this time to assist the peace process.

CEC Pokhrel informed that the holding of the April 10 CA polls will be easier for the EC since the government reached to understanding with the major agitating Madhesi Front.

According to Pokhrel, it was agreed to establish a new centre for elections’ monitoring with the US support during his meeting with Ambassador Powell.

Only today EC fixed new dates for filing the name-list of the candidates to contest the CA polls under first-past-the-post (FPTP) system on the request of the government following the signing of an 8-point agreement with the Madhesi party United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF).

Source: kantipuronline.com

A step closer to peace?

2008-02-29T13:31:00.000-08:00

The government and the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) signed an eight-point deal on Thursday ending the protracted Terai crisis.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala shaking hands with Madhesi leaders (Upendra...
On the 16th day of indefinite Terai bandh, the government and the UDMF signed the agreement following which the UDMF leaders have withdrawn their agitation and agreed to take part in April election.

The deal states that the federal units including Madhes will be made autonomous; Madhesis and other marginalised communities would be proportionally recruited in Nepali Army; those killed during Madhes agitation would be declared martyrs; injured will be provided free medical treatment; and the government will request the Election Commission (EC) to allow the Madhesi parties to file their nominations for the CA election.

In a press meet organised after the signing of the deal in Baluwatar, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said that the agreement will be fully implemented.

"Let no one doubt about its implementation. It will go into effect immediately," he said.

PM Koirala also reiterated that the Constituent Assembly election will end all the problems facing the country. "That is the place from where all problems will be resolved," he said.

Addressing the joint press meet, Mahantha Thakur, chief of Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP), said, "This uprising was not aimed at weakening Nepal but at gaining the rights for people of Madhes."

Thakur also urged the government to create environment to faciliate the entry of parties that have raised arms to come to the negotiating table.

Upendra Yadav, coordinator of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), said, "I hope that this agreement is fully implemented so that Madhesis do not have to launch another agitation. If we are compelled to launch another agitation that would be decisive and much intense."

Rajendra Mahato, chief of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP), also addresssed the joint press meet. The TMLP, MJF and NSP are three parties who floated the UDMF, which has spearheaded Madhes agitation.

General secretary of Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) and Maoist chairman Prachanda were also present at the joint press meet, which was held following hours-long talks in Baluwatar.

Source: Nepalnews.com

Curfew in Bhaktapur: One shot dead

2008-02-16T10:26:00.000-08:00

The Bhaktapur district administration has imposed curfew in the city on Friday evening after continued clash between security forces and protestors.

The curfew has been imposed in municipalities between Kamal Binayak, Jagati and Sallaghari from 7 p.m. today till 4 a.m. tomorrow.

At least 11 policemen including Inspector Deepak Dhungel and several protestors have been injured during the scuffle that left the city tense throughout today. The clashes occurred in Suryabinayak, Byasi and Durbar Square areas.

The residents organised protests against the oil crisis. Later, the protestors demanded punishment against the murder of Krishna Prasad Suwal. Police said two persons have been arrested in connection with the murder.

The protestors set ablaze the tourist fee counter at Durbar Square. The Arniko Highway remained deserted due to the protests.

The protestors also misbehaved with journalist Gokul Shrestha and burnt his motorcycle. The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) have denounced the action

One shot dead for defying curfew in Bhaktapur

A person has been shot dead after he reportedly defied curfew in Bhaktapur city on Friday night.

The security personnel had opened fire after an unidentified youth defied the curfew in Golmadhi area of Bhaktapur city. He later succumbed to his wounds at Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj.

After the tension flared up following murder of a local youth on Wednesday night by unidentified assailants, the locals of Bhaktapur had protested and gheraoed district police office on Friday.

As the scenes started to turn nastier, the local administration clamped curfew in city area from 7 pm Friday till 4 am Saturday

May be the elections will happen this time around..

2008-02-16T10:23:00.001-08:00

Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokhrel today urged the political parties not to indulge in any activity that might adversely affect the April 10 Constituent Assembly election.
Speaking after a workshop for providing training to election officers here in Banke district of mid-western Nepal, CEC Pokhrel told reporters: “Political parties should get serious and refrain from any activity that might adversely affect the CA polls.”
Referring to the election code of conduct, Pokhrel said: “There are so many instances of poll code violation such as graffiti on the walls. Those who have done this should erase the graffiti before April 10, otherwise the EC would take necessary action.” He also urged the people to refrain from doing anything that might have a negative impact on the election and asked them to work for creating a peaceful atmosphere for holding the polls.
Pokhrel also urged the government to strengthen security measures. He said that he had requisitioned 70,000 personnel for maintaining security during the polls and added that he was confident that the government would oblige. He also asked the government not to take too long in addressing the demands of various agitating groups in different parts of the country. Stating that the election would be the first step towards making a new Nepal, he said that the agitating groups should also be prepared to sacrifice a little in order to gain a lot.
Pokhrel expressed regret about the blast this morning at the EC’s regional office and said that it was the handiwork of vested interests opposed to the CA polls and who wanted to demoralise the election commission staff. He added that if all the 74 political parties registered with the EC, move forward on the basis of understanding, any hurdle could be surmounted.
“If there is no option, we will set up polling booths in schools like before. I have also requested the schools not to hold examinations around the poll date,” he said.

Is Army mobilization necessary for Peace in nepal??

2008-02-13T00:22:00.000-08:00

An article from an outside source

> With increasing violence in different part of
> countries, whether it is terai or pahad, the chances
> of free, fair and peaceful election has been a
> symbol of day dream. In current scenario, mere
> mobilization of police and armed police force would
> not be sufficient to quell the consequences that
> seemingly appear during CA election.
>
> In one hand people are debating about the army
> mobilization and it has been voiced as conspiracy
> against terai movement. I opt different view in this
> regard. I believe army is just a structure & state
> force and can be mobilized at any time when needed.
> Especially during CA election it is a must. The
> reason why I am pointing out this is simple. Army is
> undoubtedly more reliable and efficient force than
> police/armed police force. I do not spell army
> should be mobilized only in terai because it would
> certainly disastrous for CA election in terai
> rather I would say, if mobilized it should be done
> in both terai and pahad equally.
>
> Since Maoists believe in power business and its
> wing, YCL thinks that certain districts are their
> personal property. I see Maoist and its wing YCL are
> greatest threat than struggling armed faction in
> terai Jwala singh or goit. Several examples can be
> tabled why YCL is a biggest threat for CA election.
> Whether it’s in case of obstruction during Sher
> bahadu deuba’s address in west or attack on Dilendra
> badu. On the top of that just recently Maoist
> revived their so called “people’s revolutionary
> council”. Although they name it differently and take
> it as alternative to local local bodies, reviving it
> ahead of CA election means a lot. The meaning could
> be to torture/kill people who do not support or vote
> them. The meaning could be to create the act of
> terror/havoc so that people should be forced to stay
> at home and only their supporter should vote or
> anything which garner their favour.
>
> Based on this scenario, army mobilization is a must
> to thwart their hidden interest. We have already
> seen police capability during recent incidents.
> Being a former minister or pri-minister they are
> unsafe, how can police give protection to thousands
> of leaders or poor people during CA election. The
> insufficiency of police force whether to protect
> leaders or capture YCL office taking more than 1 and
> half hour have been crystal clear examples why they
> can not provide security during CA.
>
> It is clear that going election to CA is inevitable.
> Despite terai problem still continues in pockets,
> the probability of going for election is certainly
> high. In that context if we do not mobilize army,
> more bloodshed can turn out rather than if army kept
> at barrack. Indeed, question will arise again
> against government if more bloodshed happens during
> election and if police could not provide adequate
> security. So, to protect people’s live and to have
> meaningful and peaceful CA election, army
> mobilization is a must.
>
> Regards
> Ajaya Jang Kunwar
>
> Ajaya Jang Kunwar
> C/o Prof. Dr. kerstin Krieglstein
> Dept. of Anatomy, Neuroanatomy
> Human medicine
> Georg August University
> Kreuzbergring-36
> Goettingen-37075
> Germany
>
> Ph. No. +49 (0)551 2502744
> Lab no. +49 (0)551 39 7072
>
> Alt. email- kunwar_ajaya@yahoo.co.uk

Is Nepal's Peace at Risk??

2008-02-13T00:16:00.000-08:00

KATHMANDU (AFP) - Nepal's fragile peace process could be at risk if serious human rights abuses committed during a decade-long civil war are not addressed, a senior United Nations human rights official said.

"Impunity remains unchecked in Nepal and not one perpetrator of past or ongoing human rights violations has been convicted as a result of a criminal investigation," said UN deputy high commissioner for human rights Kyung-wha Kang on Sunday.

A peace deal between Maoist rebels and mainstream political parties in late 2006 ended a decade-long war that killed at least 13,000 people and brought the Maoists into government.

During the war, both the Maoists and security forces committed grave human rights abuses including abduction, torture and murder, rights groups have said.

"The consolidation of the peace process will continue to be at risk without political will on the part of the authorities to end this culture of impunity," Kang told journalists in Kathmandu at the end of her five-day visit.

During her visit to Nepal, the UN official met ministers involved in the country's peace process and visited the troubled southern plains region known as the Terai.

Since the peace pact was signed, at least 200 people have been killed in the Terai in ethnic and communal unrest that has cast a shadow over the deal and is threatening crucial polls delayed and now planned for April.

"These acts of violence only serve the interests of those seeking to disrupt the peace process and will make more difficult the holding of free and fair elections," Kang said.

The election is a key part of the 2006 peace deal and will most likely see Nepal get rid of the 239-year-old monarchy as well as elect those who will write a new constitution.

King Gyanendra breaks silence yet again

2008-02-07T09:51:00.000-08:00

Gyanendra challenges SPA over republic declaration

In less than a week time, Nepal’s sidelined monarch Gyanendra keeping mum for over a year period has broken his silence twice.
The question is not only that why he speaks but whom or which force on earth is provoking him to break his silence and that too in series.
If it is not the Nepal Army that had long association with the monarchial institution then for god’s shake which force is backing King Gyanendra this time…, analyst remain baffled.
“The western democracies, the US or India…or the Maoists themselves”, analyst have no answer.
Any ways, this time it was not simply a “verbal attack’ on the ruling political parties but he pose a question mark on the very legality of the “republic declaration”.
The decision to abolish the monarchy was an “undemocratic step”, says King Gyanendra openly.
This, King Gyanendra said last Monday talking to a select group of Japanese journalist at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace in Kathmandu.
King Gyanendra’s interview was published in Daily Yomiuri, Japan's leading newspaper.
Key Points:
The decision doesn't reflect the majority view of the people. This isn't democracy.
The people have the right to choose the fate of the monarchy.
Some leaders have tried to take action that was against cultural, social and traditional values.
A majority of the people find great meaning in the institution of the monarchy. In all clouds, there is a silver lining.
Only a week ago King Gyanendra talking to a local journalist had said that he had no idea as regards the declaration of Republic in the country.
I will look into the matter more seriously…, King Gyanedra had said.
Analysts remained puzzled as to what transpired in less than a week time that forced King Gyanendra though strongly questioning the legitimacy of the parliamentary proclamation however in doing so also accepting that the Country has already been declared a republic.
The question is also that as to who dare question the legitimacy of the parliamentary decision, the parliament that was raised from the dead by King Gyanendra himself, say analyst.
How will the SPA leadership retaliate to the questions posed by the Monarch on the legitimacy of the series of decisions that the leadership has taken since he gave up power, will have to be watched and will perhaps decide the future course the country is to take?

SOURCE: TELEGRAPHNEPAL

Instructions on posting for authors

2008-02-07T09:40:00.001-08:00

1. Login at Blogger.com with the email address used to register.
2. Click +New Post link on Dashboard.
3. Post editor appears.
4. Type a title and your post.
5. Click Publish button at bottom.

HAVE YOUR SAY

2008-02-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

When are the explosions going to stop??

2008-02-03T21:53:00.001-08:00

A series of blasts rocked the southern town of Rajbiraj, Saptari district, where the Nepali Congress (NC) was organising a mass meeting, Sunday afternoon.

Eight explosions took place simultaneously outside Raj Stadium, where senior NC leader and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was attending a mass gathering organised by the party’s trade union. At least 11 people including a policeman were injured in the blast, reports said.

The injured persons have been undergoing treatment at the Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital, Rajbiraj.

Apparently, the explosions were intended to terrorise those participating in the mass meeting.

Altogether 51 suspected of involved in the blast attacks have been arrested.

Even after the blasts, the mass meeting continued inside the stadium. Addressing the programme, Deuba said that bombings and threats would not deter the forthcoming constituent assembly polls.

Security has been massively beefed up in Rajbiraj after the blasts.

On Saturday, an armed outfit called Madhesi Mukti Tigers had detonated a bomb in Inaruwa, Sunsari district, when Deuba was attending a mass meeting organised by the NC there

PEACE IS THE WAY

2008-01-31T21:16:00.000-08:00

King Gyanendra Speaks up.. after a long time

2008-01-31T11:34:00.000-08:00

In what is seen as his first media interview since the April uprising of 2006, King Gyanendra has said that he has remained silent to let the peace process succeed.

In an interview to Hari Lamsal, Editor of Rastra Bani weekly, which was published on Wednesday, King Gyanendra is quoted as saying that he remained silent to make the peace process successful.

Nepali people themselves should speak out on where the nation is heading, on the direction it is taking and on why it is becoming chaotic, the King is reported to have said.

King Gyanendra has also refuted that monarchy has ever sought power.

When asked why he did not speak out till now, the King said, "Silence is also (an) action.” “….There is a meaning in our silence. Those who have understood it (meaning) have understood it well. We think others are pretending not to have understood.”

In the interview, which has been published at a time when the interim parliament has amended the interim constitution declaring Nepal a federal republic, subject to endorsement by Constituent Assembly, the King has said that the monarchy predates the unification of Nepal itself.

He asked, where would we be today had the nation-builder Prithvi Narayan Shah not unified Nepal?

King Gyanendra also said Nepal has such a large heart where every Nepali can find shelter.

He also recalled his February 1, 2005 move – which prompted political parties to unite with the Maoists that ultimately forced the King to step down. He accepted that his move turned out to be a failure.

Stating that the monarchy should never involve in politics, the King pointed out the need to strengthen relations between monarchy and democracy.

Editor Lamsal has said that he took the interview last Friday at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace. Although it was not a formal interview, Lamsal said, he took permission to publish the King's views at the end of his audience.

Hope we wont get to that

2008-01-30T14:19:00.000-08:00

Interesting ......

More explosions.. Need to put a stop.

2008-01-30T13:25:00.000-08:00

Birgunj/Kathmandu, Jan 30:

Thirty-two persons, including Parsa Chief District Officer Bhola Prasad Siwakoti, were injured when a bomb exploded near the venue of seven parties’ mass meet at Narayani Rangasala here. Eleven others were hurt in separate blasts in Birgunj.
The blast at the SPA meet occurred in an open space near Gautam School when Nepali Congress leader and Minister for Science, Technology and Environment Pharmulla Mansur, who was the last speaker, was addressing the joint meet.
The bomb occurred just five minutes before the conclusion of the meet. Eyewitnesses said an unidentified person left the bomb at the site seconds before it exploded.
Earlier, seven persons, including a bus driver, were injured when a bomb was hurled at the bus that was heading towards the meet venue carrying Maoist cadres in front of Kediya Eye Hospital at Parwanipur at 3:30 pm.
In another incident, four persons were injured when a bomb was hurled targeting a tractor that was heading to the meet venue carrying people near the venue at 2:00 pm.
Injured CDO has been undergoing treatment in Advanced Medical College, while other injured have been admitted to Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital in Birgunj, Parsa district SP Yogeshwor Ramkhomi said. He added that most of the injured were hurt in legs. Of the injured undergoing treatment at NSRH, condition of two is critical, the hospital source said.
There were two more blasts in Birgunj — one in front of the Indreni FM building and another near National Medical College. No one was hurt.
A home ministry official said bombs were planted with an intention to kill. He added that Biratnagar and Janakpur blasts were meant only to terrorise. “But this time, the bomb was planted near the assembly area, apparently targeting the public,” he said. The official added that today’s blasts exposed chinks in security arrangement. Home ministry spokesperson Modraj Dottel said metal detector was used to screen all. According to him, over 3,000 police personnel were deployed in Birjung.
Meanwhile, Parsa district coordinator of Madhesi Mukti Tigers, Kanchan Bidrohi, has owned up the blasts.

Martin condemns explosions:
Kathmandu: Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Nepal Ian Martin has condemned the blasts during a political rally held to promote the Constituent Assembly election in Birgunj on Wednesday. “United Nation Mission in Nepal and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights-Nepal teams were present conducting monitoring activities at today’s and previous rallies,” a statement issued by UNMIN here said. “I hope that those responsible will be identified and brought to justice,” Martin added.
Saying that violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic transition, and in particular in Nepal’s Constituent Assembly election process, Martin said political differences must be resolved through peaceful means. “I have no doubt that acts of terror will discredit whatever cause they claim to promote.”

Source: Himalayan News Service

ABOUT THIS BLOG

2008-01-27T16:53:00.001-08:00

This blog is to provide information for those who care and concern about peace, human rights and social justice in Nepal. Global community needs to take some active role in order to stop the atrocities and all forms of violence in Nepal as soon as possible. This blog will act as an online discussion board to express our words freely about peace and stability restoration in our beloved country Nepal. Feel free to any information or news related to Nepal that you feel is appropriate for this blog. Please email me at peaceinnepal@ournepal.info if you are interested in posting in this blog.

INVISIBLE ENEMY

2008-01-27T16:48:00.000-08:00

In Country like Nepal, which has regularly alternated between democracies, dictatorship, autocracy, and semi-democratic rule; democratic or political stability is the biggest priority. This political stability and no other will help bring peace in Nepal and take Nepal back to the track of Development. I believe our political leaders have worked real hard to get us where we are now. In my opinion they are good at teamwork and joining hands and converging ideas if they need to go against a common enemy. This seems to have worked every single time there has been a crisis in Nepal. In the past political movements they worked hard to bring democracy. During, the April Movement even the Maoists joined hands with the political parties to overturn the Kings rule. Each of these times, they had a common enemy. But amazingly, every time after the common enemy is defeated the brothers that joined hands and were ready to sacrifice for each other are all of the sudden each other’s biggest enemy. This phenomenon always seems to puzzle me. it seems crystal clear that the leaders do not see any enemy as soon as the visual enemy is defeated. I still see an enemy, even with my inexperienced young eye. He is not clear to all but is visible to many. He is standing right in front of us and laughing at us. He is sitting in the middle of our development track and is betting nobody can remove him. He is right there smiling, as he is yet again successful in making brothers fight and even ready to kill each other. He is kicking at Mother Nepal and screaming, “ Your sons have failed you again”. “ Your sons are never going to see me”. I see this devil enjoying watching my motherland cry. I see this devil that is failing us.
So, I think its time we all see this devil and stand up and work together to defeat it. I think if our political leaders take off their shade of greed for power and money they will be able to see this devil too. I think if for once, they can clear up their heads with all that selfishness and feeling of superiority they will be able to see this devil too. As, we have seen in past our leaders are amazingly great at uniting against a common enemy, we just need to pray that they will see this common enemy before its too late.
I believe its still not too late to work together to eradicate this common enemy from roots. I believe from my heart that Mother Nepal has thousands, even millions, children in Nepal and abroad who will be delighted to heal her wounds. Youths will be ever excited to help lay those tracks of development back that the devil crushed.

Explosions and threats scares Nepalese

2008-01-27T14:08:00.000-08:00

PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT WHAT YOU THNINK ABOUT THESE EXPLOSIONS AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HELP NEPAL GET CLOSER TO THE MUCH AWAITED PEACE AND STABILITY.

January 27 2008, A bomb hoax elicited a prompt evacuation of three municipal offices in the Nation's capital kathmandu Valley. This would have been a fourth major explosion this month had it been real. The country seems to be taking one step forward to peace and stability simply to take three steps backward.
A series of bomb explosions rocked Sunsari district headquarters Inaruwa(Eastern Nepal) January 26 Saturday afternoon.

The blasts took place at Bihibarehat area where senior Nepali Congress leaders were attending a gathering of the party workers. Reports said that a bomb went off just a few metres away from the programme venue while two other bombs exploded in the vicinity.

The blasts were apparently targeted at the NC leaders, but there was no human casualty.

NC acting president Sushil Koirala, vice-president Prakash Man Singh and general secretary Dr Ram Baran Yadav were inside the programme hall when the bombs went off.

An armed outfit called Madhesi Mukti Tigers has claimed responsibility for the bomb blasts.

Security has been massively beefed up in Inaruwa and surrounding areas following the incident.

January 23 2008, Police have recovered at least nine explosives from a pig-shed in Dharan(my hometown) on Wednesday morning.

According to reports, six socket bombs and three pressure cooker bombs were recovered from Ratnachowk in a pig-shed near the house of Sanuman Rai where three old people live.

A team of experts from the Nepal Army barracks in Pakali safely disposed the bombs to a nearby river.

The security agencies are investigating.

On January 14 2008, At least eight persons were injured when a bomb went off near Bhotahiti, Kathmandu, minutes after a mass gathering of the seven parties to kick start their election campaigning concluded.

The bomb exploded underneath the overhead bridge at Bhotahiti at around 3:30 pm.

Eyewitnesses said they heard explosion in the middle of the road at the busy Ratnapark-Bhotahity intersection which lies few hundred meters from Khula Mach, the venue of the seven-party mass meeting.

They said a person hurled the socket bomb and slipped into the crowd.

Peace in Nepal

2008-01-27T13:11:00.000-08:00

The three municipal offices including Kathmandu Metropolitan office remained tense on Sunday afternoon after a rumor spread that bombs were planted there.
The Ministry of Local Development informed its branch offices after an unidentified person called up the ministry at 2 pm, and said that explosives were planted at Kathmandu Metropolitan office at Sundhara, Lalitpur sub-metropolitan city office at Puchowk and Bhaktapur Municipality Office.

Following the telephonic warning, the police and army personnel, including bomb disposal squads vacated and sealed off all three municipal offices in the capital and searched for the explosives.

The tension ended only after the security personnel confirmed that the call was a hoax and that no explosive was discovered in any of the three municipal offices.
Normal life in various Terai district was affected for the fourth consecutive day Sunday due to the indefinite shutdown strike announced by the United Madhesi Front (UMF), a amalgamation of Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) and Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Mahato).

Life was crippled in Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha, Saptari, Sarlahi, Bara, Rautahat and Nawalparasi districts due to strike called to press the government to implement the 22-point agreement it signed with Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF).

Although the main market centers, factories and educational institutions in Biratnagar and other urban centers were not much affected by the strike and remained partly open, both long and short route vehicles were stopped from plying the road in most of the affected districts owing to which hundreds of passengers were stranded, reports say.

UMF had waged phase-wise protest programmes in eastern Terai districts from January 19. The most affected due to the strike was Janakpur of Dhanusha district which virtually remains under seize from the last four days.

On Sunday also, the city was affected by the bandh called by various Madhesi groups. The bandh had been called ahead of Saturday's joint mass meeting in the city by seven party alliance.