Yeti Airlines begins Doha flights Wednesday

Kathmandu, 1 April: Yeti Airlines begins direct flights between the capital and Doha Wednesday.
The airline will operate five flights a week.
The company has plans to fly to Hong Kong, Bangkok and New Delhi as well.
Nnnn

Reality of constituent assembly, monarchy

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 1 April: “Is the declaration of a republic possible with the end of monarchy in the first meeting of the constituent assembly?” asks Punarjajgaran.
The question has cropped up because the interim constitution says Nepal will be a republic to be declared by the first meeting.
Is this possible?
The decision by the first meeting of the assembly for a republic cannot be implemented.
The decision will have to be incorporated in the constitution after endorsement.
The constitution won’t have validity until it’s written and approved; only one article of the constitution can’t be enforced.
Why are leaders then crying hoarse? Are they fools? No answer is forthcoming.
Nnnn

Biggest mass arrest of Tibetan refugees

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: In the biggest mass arrest of Tibetans, nearly 500 refugees demonstrating before the visa section of the Chinese embassy were arrested by police, eyewitnesses and reporters from the scene said Monday.
The demonstrators were taken in vans to various police centers in the capital.
Many protestors were injured in almost daily clashes hour-long clashes Monday.
The 17,000 strong refugee community has been holding anti-Chinese demonstrators in front of the Chinese embassy and UN office since violence broke out in Tibet earlier this month.
Nepal’s two biggest communist parties, including Maoists, have condemned the Tibet refugee protests and supported China.
Government has also supported a one China policy.
Nnnn

Protests in east Nepal as well

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: Muslims for the second day Monday continued protests against bombing of a mosque in Biratnagar Sunday killing two Muslim worshippers and wounding two others.
Government has promised an inquiry and punishment to culprits.
Such attacks were unthinkable before the popular movement of April 2006.
Nepal, even though a declared Hindu state, was a tolerant state even when communal violence regularly broke out across the border in India.
Nepal’s first serious communal broke out last year in Kapilvasthu, the birthplace of The Buddha, killing more than one dozen people.
The present rulers have declared a secular state though majority demand a Hindu kingdom in a nation with 85 percent Hindus.
People want a decision through a referendum with direct participation of people in a vote and not an election of party activists.
Nnnn

Suraj Baidya

Kathmandu, 31 March: Suraj Baidya has been appointed senior vice-chairman of FNCCI.
A meeting of the newly elected FNCCI leadership appointed Baidya Sunday.
Nnnn

Khum Bahadur launching party

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: Dissatisfied with Nepali Congress, Khum Bahadur Khadka and friends are launching a political party after elections, Sanghu reports.
Khadka is contesting elections on a Congress ticket.
Under Khadka’s leadership a big group is defecting with him with the support of founding member Krishna Prasad Bhattarai after the assembly elections.
The part will most probably be named Rashtriya Janaadhikar Forum.
The Madesh Janaadhikar Forum could be renamed Rashtriya Janaadhikar Forum in which the Khadka faction will unite later.
Khadka, Bijaya Gachedhar and Upendra Yadav have already come to an understanding.
The group hopes to be an alternative to Nepali Congress in the elected constituent assembly by supporting constitutional monarchy.
Nnnn

RD Tuttle gains justice

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: RD Tuttle, the genuine investor in eight casinos in Nepal, got back his investments through a supreme verdict on 24 March, Sanghu reports.
Indian national Rakesh Waduba and his wife Salini had laid false claim and captured the casinos using every means and resources possible.
The couple influenced the home ministry, minister, police administration, industry minister and senior officials of the industry department.
The Indian embassy backed the Indian couple.
Nnnn

Three-party common commitment to hold peaceful elections; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: Three big parties of a seven-party ruling alliance Monday committed themselves participate peacefully in the 10 April assembly elections but fought each other violently in districts as they made the promise to the Election Commission.
The Commission summoned Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Maoist Chairman Prachanda for consultations.
Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokhrel asked parties to honestly
VIOLENCE
Three major parties clashed in districts Monday 10 days ahead of elections.
Former Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi was injured in a Maoist attack in Tanahu Monday and police fired to protect Joshi.
Local administration in Dandeldhura headquarters slapped an eight-hour curfew after clashes between Congress, CPN-UML and Maoists causing massive destruction of government property.
Police fired 300 rounds of teargas shells.
CPN-UML and Maoists charged Congress for disturbing their campaign one day earlier.
They asked former Sher Bahadur Deuba who is also contesting from the district to apologize.
Meanwhile, RJP Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa charged Maoist leadership is tolerating the excesses of YCL knowingly immediately after returning to the capital after campaigning in home district Dhankuta.
Thapa condemned leadership of the ruling seven parties for calling such poll violations only ‘minor incidents’.
Party vice-chairman Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani said only a referendum and not elections can decide the future of monarchy.
nnnn
Biggest mass arrest of Tibetan refugees

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: In the biggest mass arrest of Tibetans, nearly 500 refugees demonstrating before the visa section of the Chinese embassy were arrested by police, eyewitnesses and reporters from the scene said Monday.
The demonstrators were taken in vans to various police centers in the capital.
Many protestors were injured in almost daily clashes hour-long clashes Monday.
The 17,000 strong refugee community has been holding anti-Chinese demonstrators in front of the Chinese embassy and UN office since violence broke out in Tibet earlier this month.
Nepal’s two biggest communist parties, including Maoists, have condemned the Tibet refugee protests and supported China.
Government has also supported a one China policy.
Nnnn

Protests in east Nepal as well

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: Muslims for the second day Monday continued protests against bombing of a mosque in Biratnagar Sunday killing two Muslim worshippers and wounding two others.
Government has promised an inquiry and punishment to culprits.
Such attacks were unthinkable before the popular movement of April 2006.
Nepal, even though a declared Hindu state, was a tolerant state even when communal violence regularly broke out across the border in India.
Nepal’s first serious communal broke out last year in Kapilvasthu, the birthplace of The Buddha, killing more than one dozen people.
The present rulers have declared a secular state though majority demand a Hindu kingdom in a nation with 85 percent Hindus.
People want a decision through a referendum with direct participation of people in a vote and not an election of party activists.
Nnnn

Suraj Baidya

Kathmandu, 31 March: Suraj Baidya has been appointed senior vice-chairman of FNCCI.
A meeting of the newly elected FNCCI leadership appointed Baidya Sunday.
Nnnn

Khum Bahadur launching party

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: Dissatisfied with Nepali Congress, Khum Bahadur Khadka and friends are launching a political party after elections, Sanghu reports.
Khadka is contesting elections on a Congress ticket.
Under Khadka’s leadership a big group is defecting with him with the support of founding member Krishna Prasad Bhattarai after the assembly elections.
The part will most probably be named Rashtriya Janaadhikar Forum.
The Madesh Janaadhikar Forum could be renamed Rashtriya Janaadhikar Forum in which the Khadka faction will unite later.
Khadka, Bijaya Gachedhar and Upendra Yadav have already come to an understanding.
The group hopes to be an alternative to Nepali Congress in the elected constituent assembly by supporting constitutional monarchy.
Nnnn

RD Tuttle gains justice

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: RD Tuttle, the genuine investor in eight casinos in Nepal, got back his investments through a supreme verdict on 24 March, Sanghu reports.
Indian national Rakesh Waduba and his wife Salini had laid false claim and captured the casinos using every means and resources possible.
The couple influenced the home ministry, minister, police administration, industry minister and senior officials of the industry department.
The Indian embassy backed the Indian couple.
Nnnn

Three-party common commitment to hold peaceful elections; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: Three big parties of a seven-party ruling alliance Monday committed themselves participate peacefully in the 10 April assembly elections but fought each other violently in districts as they made the promise to the Election Commission.
The Commission summoned Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Maoist Chairman Prachanda for consultations.
Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokhrel asked parties to honestly
VIOLENCE
Three major parties clashed in districts Monday 10 days ahead of elections.
Former Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi was injured in a Maoist attack in Tanahu Monday and police fired to protect Joshi.
Local administration in Dandeldhura headquarters slapped an eight-hour curfew after clashes between Congress, CPN-UML and Maoists causing massive destruction of government property.
Police fired 300 rounds of teargas shells.
CPN-UML and Maoists charged Congress for disturbing their campaign one day earlier.
They asked former Sher Bahadur Deuba who is also contesting from the district to apologize.
Meanwhile, RJP Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa charged Maoist leadership is tolerating the excesses of YCL knowingly immediately after returning to the capital after campaigning in home district Dhankuta.
Thapa condemned leadership of the ruling seven parties for calling such poll violations only ‘minor incidents’.
Party vice-chairman Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani said only a referendum and not elections can decide the future of monarchy.
nnnn

EC summons top leaders; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: Maoist Amid speculation the 10 April election will be postponed for the third time, Chairman Prachanda will discuss the controversial vote with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal later Monday.
Prachanda held discussions with Nepal Sunday after CPN (Maoist) cancelled all previously announced programmes of the Maoist chief to address election rallies outside the Valley for security reasons and threat to his life.
CPN-UML Leader KP Sharma Oli and Congress leader Bal Bahadur KC charged they survived murderous attacks by Maoists during campaigning.
CPN-UML has suspended campaigning in Nuwakot and Dolakha after Maoist threats.
Election Commission (EC) has summoned Prime Minister Koirala, Nepal and Prachanda for election-related discussions Monday.
The top leaders were summoned after Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokhrel returned to the capital Sunday after completing an inspection tour of districts.
The EC summoned the top leaders concluding meaningful elections can’t be conducted, Tarun reports.
They will be warned election can’t take place if violations of the election code of conduct and clashes aren’t immediately stopped, the newspaper reported.
Clashes during campaigning are daily occurrences election is only 10 days away.
A published report which hasn’t been denied said Home Minister Krishna Prasad Shitaula has proposed holding the one-day election in two phases increasing violence.
DEUBA
Maoists Sunday attacked former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba while he was returning to base from a campaign in Dandeldhura.
Deuba escaped unhurt.
Maoists call hill regions their base area where they deny rivals entry.
Nnnn

Parsuram Rai dead

Kathmandu, 31 March: Top central RPP candidate from Bhojpur Parsuram Rai died Monday morning after protracted illness.
He was undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital; he was undergoing treatment for a stomach ailment.
Nnnn


New chief at Standard Chartered Bank

Kathmandu, 31 March: Neeraj Swaroop has been unanimously appointed chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd by the board’s 235th meeting.
Swaroop succeeds Jaspal Singh Bindra who has been appointed CEO Asia of the bank.
Nnnn


EC summons top leaders; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 31 March: Maoist Amid speculation the 10 April election will be postponed for the third time, Chairman Prachanda will discuss the controversial vote with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal later Monday.
Prachanda held discussions with Nepal Sunday after CPN (Maoist) cancelled all previously announced programmes of the Maoist chief to address election rallies outside the Valley for security reasons and threat to his life.
CPN-UML Leader KP Sharma Oli and Congress leader Bal Bahadur KC charged they survived murderous attacks by Maoists during campaigning.
CPN-UML has suspended campaigning in Nuwakot and Dolakha after Maoist threats.
Election Commission (EC) has summoned Prime Minister Koirala, Nepal and Prachanda for election-related discussions Monday.
The top leaders were summoned after Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokhrel returned to the capital Sunday after completing an inspection tour of districts.
The EC summoned the top leaders concluding meaningful elections can’t be conducted, Tarun reports.
They will be warned election can’t take place if violations of the election code of conduct and clashes aren’t immediately stopped, the newspaper reported.
Clashes during campaigning are daily occurrences election is only 10 days away.
A published report which hasn’t been denied said Home Minister Krishna Prasad Shitaula has proposed holding the one-day election in two phases increasing violence.
DEUBA
Maoists Sunday attacked former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba while he was returning to base from a campaign in Dandeldhura.
Deuba escaped unhurt.
Maoists call hill regions their base area where they deny rivals entry.
Nnnn

Parsuram Rai dead

Kathmandu, 31 March: Top central RPP candidate from Bhojpur Parsuram Rai died Monday morning after protracted illness.
He was undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital; he was undergoing treatment for a stomach ailment.
Nnnn


New chief at Standard Chartered Bank

Kathmandu, 31 March: Neeraj Swaroop has been unanimously appointed chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd by the board’s 235th meeting.
Swaroop succeeds Jaspal Singh Bindra who has been appointed CEO Asia of the bank.
Nnnn


v

Home minister Shitaula proposes two-phase election as election approaches

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 30 March: Home Minister Krishna Prasad Shitaula has unofficially proposed two-phase elections to CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Maoist Chairman Prachanda over telephone, Annapurna Post reports quoting an unidentified source in its Sunday.
Nepal told Shitaula the prime minister offer should be discuss the proposal with leaders of seven parties.
Prachanda rejected the offer and said the one-day election should be held 10 April.
Prime minister, chief election commissioner and security chiefs Thursday discussed two-phase elections Thursday.
Meanwhile, Congress Acting president Sushil Koirala and Minister of State for Home and deputy of Shitaula have also said publicly Nepal Army may be mobilized for the vote.

[Note: Nepal has already proposed phase-wise elections during electioneering. Election is just 11 days away as the security situation deteriorates every day. CPN-UML candidates have suspended electioneering in Nuwakot and returned to district headquarters in Dolakha after Maoist violence in the two districts. But the prime minister says vote will be held as scheduled. Chairman Prachanda has also suspended campaigning outside the Valley as the party said the party’s life in threatened.]
nnnn

A monitoring farce; who’s to monitor the monitors? [Excerpts]

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 30 March: Questions have begun to crop on the role of monitors of the 10 April constitutional assembly elections –monitors who are to give the vote credibility, reports JB Pun Magar in Himalkhabarpatrika.
Their activities to closely watch election-related events have become controversial.
Chairman Prachanda told a recent election rally in Liwang, Rolpa, international monitors were appointed to defeat Maoists who believe monitors, who are mostly Americans, are out to defeat them. Most national organizations monitoring elections are also funded by Americans followed by DFID of UK.
Most monitors assigned nation-wide don’t meet the requirements set by the Election Commission.
Organizations are appointing party leaders and activists as monitors. Most organizations have appointed teachers who are attacked to political parties. This has been confirmed by a Study of the National Human Rights Commission.
This time around, party workers in the garb of monitors are being enlisted; there’s also the greed for foreign-funding.
Nnnn

PM Koirala appeals for patience

Kathmandu, 30 March: Prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala Sunday appealed for patience after two Muslims died and two others were injured when four bombs were hurled at a mosque in his hometown Biratnagar overnight.
The town was closed down by a strike.
Three bombs of four bombs hurled exploded during load-shedding.
Local administration lifted an 11-hour curfew at eight in the morning Sunday.
Defence Army claimed responsibility for the bombings.
Nnnn




Prachanda cancels engagements citing security concerns

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 30 March: Citing security concerns, Chairman Prachanda has cancelled all engagements outside the Valley citing.
This was announced formally by the CPN (Maoist) which didn’t details the threats. But the Chairman himself he is being targeted by national foreign and palace.
But top leaders of rival parties, including former Congress minister Bal Bahadur KC and CPN-UML deputy prime minister KP Sharma Oli charged Maoists were planning to eliminate them.
Both survived deadly murderous attacks during their campaigns.
Prachanda was scheduled to address a public meeting in Chitwan Sunday; Maoist military leader Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ is contesting elections from the district.
CPN (Maoist) alleged rivals were hatching ‘conspiracies’ against the party to defeat them in elections which they were certain to win.
Top party leadership will review the election scenario and the threat perception, party sources.
The outcome of the meeting will deciode on the 10 April election will be held.
Maoist headquarters said Prachanda will be active in the capital to confront the situation steadfastly through ‘essential political moves’.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala warned the country is heading towards an ‘accident’ with mounting daily electoral violence while saying he is determined to hold the vote which will usher in sweeping changes.
Chief communist rival CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal ridiculed Prachanda and Maoists and told them never to think of a communist state in Nepal as the army will foil it.
Nepal, surprisingly, was praise for the army which came under bitter criticism from the CPN-UML before the April 2006 movement.
“If anybody is dreaming of capturing power, that can only be a daydream. There can’t be a communist takeover here.
“The forces that are staying patiently inside their barracks are strong enough to face such a contingency.
“The CPN-UML will never tolerate further accusations against Nepal Army and the police forces,” Nepal told an election rally in the capital Saturday.
Nnnn

Mosque bombed; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kahmandu, 30 March: A mosque was bombed overnight injuring four Muslims, two seriously, in Biratnagar, the hometown of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala who’s in the town to campaign for his daughter Sujata facing an uphill battle in the 10 April constituency assembly election.
Four persons in two motorcycles hurled four bombs and sped away as Defence Army took responsibility just 12 days ahead of the vote.
The bombing to disrupt the vote through communal violence was described by Koirala as an unprecedented election to introduce sweeping changes.
Minutes before the bombing, Koirala warned the country was heading for a huge accident with electoral violence and persistent misunderstanding between seven ruling parties.
"There will be big accident if present misunderstanding prolongs.
"I feel sad. Hardly had the ink dried on an agreement between seven parties, and clashes started," Koirala said referring to an agreement to stop electoral violence.
Koirala warned such differences and electoral violence with approaching election will be disastrous.
Meanwhile, talks between four tarai parties called off talks with government Saturday and disbanded a negotiating team for a dialogue with the government before the vote to end their violent independence movement head of the vote.
The parties announced the immediate resumption of their violent anti-government and anti-election campaign.
Government was pushing talks to create an environment for the vote to ensure maximum participation.
Low turnout will not give credibility to a constitution drafted by elected by elected candidates of seven parties; that’s why the talks with the four parties were important.
Violence will keep people away from polls.
"Talks have no meaning," Sanjaya Gupta said on behalf of four parties charging government of indifference to talks.
Parties said their anti-government activities will resume Sunday.
KOREAN CONNECTION
Meanwhile, Maoists protested to the Election Commission Saturday former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and minister of labour Ramesh Lekhajh were illegally by violating an election code of conduct were trying to buy votes by sending 31,000 Nepali workers to South Korea by buying votes.
The Maoists said the two-day language examination for the workers to qualify them to travel to Seoul that began Saturday was against the code.
Nnnn
Mosque bombed; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kahmandu, 30 March: A mosque was bombed overnight injuring four Muslims, two seriously, in Biratnagar, the hometown of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala who’s in the town to campaign for his daughter Sujata facing an uphill battle in the 10 April constituency assembly election.
Four persons in two motorcycles hurled four bombs and sped away as Defence Army took responsibility just 12 days ahead of the vote.
The bombing to disrupt the vote through communal violence was described by Koirala as an unprecedented election to introduce sweeping changes.
Minutes before the bombing, Koirala warned the country was heading for a huge accident with electoral violence and persistent misunderstanding between seven ruling parties.
"There will be big accident if present misunderstanding prolongs.
"I feel sad. Hardly had the ink dried on an agreement between seven parties, and clashes started," Koirala said referring to an agreement to stop electoral violence.
Koirala warned such differences and electoral violence with approaching election will be disastrous.
Meanwhile, talks between four tarai parties called off talks with government Saturday and disbanded a negotiating team for a dialogue with the government before the vote to end their violent independence movement head of the vote.
The parties announced the immediate resumption of their violent anti-government and anti-election campaign.
Government was pushing talks to create an environment for the vote to ensure maximum participation.
Low turnout will not give credibility to a constitution drafted by elected by elected candidates of seven parties; that’s why the talks with the four parties were important.
Violence will keep people away from polls.
"Talks have no meaning," Sanjaya Gupta said on behalf of four parties charging government of indifference to talks.
Parties said their anti-government activities will resume Sunday.
KOREAN CONNECTION
Meanwhile, Maoists protested to the Election Commission Saturday former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and minister of labour Ramesh Lekhajh were illegally by violating an election code of conduct were trying to buy votes by sending 31,000 Nepali workers to South Korea by buying votes.
The Maoists said the two-day language examination for the workers to qualify them to travel to Seoul that began Saturday was against the code.
Nnnn

Capital and Rajbiraj

Kathmandu, 29 March: String bombs exploded in the capital and Rajbiraj where one child was injured Saturday.
A bomb exploded at Gangabu in the capital.

People’s News/BR

Talks haven’t broken down

Kathmandu, 29 March: Peace Minister Ram Chandra Paudel said Saturday talks with four Madesh parties haven’t broken down.
Paudel said talks have only been delayed because of pre-conditions of those parties.

People’s News/BR

70 Tibetans arrested

Kathmandu, 29 March: More than 70 Tibetan refugees were arrested as they demonstrated before the Chinese embassy Saturday.
Police the area is a prohibited area.

People’s News/BR

Chinese PLA troops haven’t entered Nepal: Foreign Ministry

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 29 March: Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) members haven’t entered Nepal denying foreign press reports, Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry Hari Bahadur Thapa told Annapurna Post.
“We don’t have any information so far of Chinese PLA entering Nepal by crossing the border.
“Such rumours are baseless aimed to spoil Nepal’s reputation,” he said.
Some reports said Chinese troops entered Nepal to watch activities after the outbreak of unrest in neighbouring Tibet.
Tibetans have been staging almost daily protests in front of the UN office here demanding intervention in Tibet and against the August Beijing Olympics.
For the first time, nearly 20 refugees Friday entered the UN premises scaling its wall demanding food and clothes.
Nnnn

Forum says talks for electoral adjustment continuing

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 March: One day after workers of the Madesh Janatantrik Forum clashed with activists of Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP), Forum Chairman Upendra Yadav said Friday talks are continuing for electoral adjustment with two other tarai parties, including TMLP.
Forum and TMLP workers clashed in Nepalgunj Thursday dampening hopes of an adjustments between three parties that launched a successful movement for self-determination and provincial rule in the south.
The front didn’t last after the successful movement forcing the government to submit to the twin demands.
TMLP and Rajendra Mahoto group of Nepal Sadbavana Party agreed to electoral adjustment in 40 of 116 tarai constituencies.
Yadav said in Birgunj Friday anunderstanding could be reached by Tuesday.
Nnnn

PM Koirala flies to hometown to help daughter

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 March: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Friday flew to his hometown Biratnagar where Congress workers asked him to participate in electioneering in Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa districts in east Nepal.
Daughter Sujata, contesting elections for the first time from her father’s constituency, is facing stiff competition from Chairman Upendra Yadav of Madesh Janatantrik Forum and a rebel Congress candidate in Susari.
Congress candidates are facing stiff challenges in the districts after the Madesh and party rebellions from the east Nepal districts.
Other relatives Amod Upadhaya, Mahesh Acharya and Chakra Bastola are contesting the 10 April assembly vote.
Koirala said Friday assembly election will be held even amid intense speculation the election could be postponed again because of electoral violence.
Congress Friday presented a memorandum to Election Commission Friday recording 31 cases of Maoist disturbances of their party campaign.
nnnn


Tibetan refugees protest again

Kathmandu, 28 March’ Several Tibetan refugees were injured when they clashed with police who dispersed a demonstration in front of the UN office Friday demanding the intervention of the world body in Tibet following a Chinese crackdown.
More than five dozen protesters were arrested.
Protests came a day after Tibetan monks in their homeland raised slogans against China in front of visiting foreign journalists in their homeland they fled.
Two communist parties have supported China and condemned the activities of Tibetan refugees in Nepal where more than 17,000 live.
Nnnn



Govt. says new demands forwarded by tarai groups

Kathmandu, 28 March: Four tarai groups Friday, in an ultimatum to government, demanded their arrested friends be freed by three in the afternoon Saturday for talks to call off violent protests to enable peaceful voting 10 April.
Four groups threatened to launch a violent movement from Sunday if the demand isn’t met.
The four groups said other demands can be discussed at the negotiating table.
Government said the release will come only after groups sit down for talks – a demand rejected by the tarai.
The arrested could be releases Saturday since government is desperate to hold peaceful elections with maximum participation.
Government said four tarai groups have forwarded new demands putting demands and reneging on agreement to launch talks Friday in Janakpur.
Four groups in a formal letter to government Friday asked government to release arrested activists.
Nnnn




Ian Martin summoned

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 March: Election Commission Friday summoned UNMIN Chief Ian Martin and told him to effectively monitor the movement of Maoist combatants in and out of camps against the spirit of a peace treaty between government and Maoists.
Commission said it was concerned with the violation of the peace agreement.
The Commission summoned an embarrassed Martin telling him it was concerned with armed combatants in uniform participating in the election campaign on behalf of their party candidates.
Martin gave assurances to the Commission, an official anuncement said.
Meanwhile, the UN security council hoped the 10 April election will be free, fair and peaceful.
The council noted the peace process was moving forward well but Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was studying Nepal’s developments seriously.
Nnnn

Election speak

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 March: Exchanges of abuses words between rival parties are betting bitter by the day as the 10 April assembly election approaches.
Top CPN-UML leader and former Deputy Minister KP Sharma Oli says he is on a Maoist hit list and charged,” Maoists are like new bulls. Its difficult to train them to plough the field.”
The former foreign minister went on to say,” Maoists are puppets of the palace sometimes knocking the doors of Kamal Thapa and Ramesh Nath Pandey.”
Chairman Prachanda accusing Maoists or being royalists, said,” There can’t be an electoral understanding with CPN-UM which is an anti-national party.
“It has been conducting anti-national politics for 15 years.”
Congress leader Bal Bahadur KC said he survived a murderous Maoist attack in Solu at the foot of Mount Everest.
“The attack proves they want to capture power at all cost without election.”
Accusing Maoists, Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel said,” Authoritarianism without a crown is emerging.”
‘Ram Chandra [in the form of Maoists] has returned from the jungle after 12 years . Why worship his [Lord Ram’s] wooden sandals left by him Bharat?” Baburam Bhattarai said.
nnnn

Goit rejects talks before elections

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 March: Jai Krishna Goit, coordinator of Akhil Tarai Front, through statement Thursday, has rejected talks with government before the 10 April assembly elections.
The rejection has disrupted a government strategy to draw armed rebels in the terai for talks to hold elections without disruptive activities of the group, including strikes.
Such acts will keep voters away from polling booths.
Government initiative received a severe setback when four groups rejected talks hours after Peace Minister Ram Chandra Paudel announced a dialogue would start today [Friday] in Janakpur.
Paudel even said he would lead the seven-member government team.
The rebels said talks won’t start until arrested activists are released and criminal cases withdrawn against them.
Government assurance they would be released once talks started was inadequate to create an atmosphere for a dialogue.
Nnnn


Election speak

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 March: Exchanges of abuses words between rival parties are betting bitter by the day as the 10 April assembly election approaches.
Top CPN-UML leader and former Deputy Minister KP Sharma Oli says he is on a Maoist hit list and charged,” Maoists are like new bulls. Its difficult to train them to plough the field.”
The former foreign minister went on to say,” Maoists are puppets of the palace sometimes knocking the doors of Kamal Thapa and Ramesh Nath Pandey.”
Chairman Prachanda accusing Maoists or being royalists, said,” There can’t be an electoral understanding with CPN-UM which is an anti-national party.
“It has been conducting anti-national politics for 15 years.”
Congress leader Bal Bahadur KC said he survived a murderous Maoist attack in Solu at the foot of Mount Everest.
“The attack proves they want to capture power at all cost without election.”
Accusing Maoists, Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel said,” Authoritarianism without a crown is emerging.”
‘Ram Chandra [in the form of Maoists] has returned from the jungle after 12 years . Why worship his [Lord Ram’s] wooden sandals left by him Bharat?” Baburam Bhattarai said.
nnnn

Goit rejects talks before elections

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 March: Jai Krishna Goit, coordinator of Akhil Tarai Front, through statement Thursday, has rejected talks with government before the 10 April assembly elections.
The rejection has disrupted a government strategy to draw armed rebels in the terai for talks to hold elections without disruptive activities of the group, including strikes.
Such acts will keep voters away from polling booths.
Government initiative received a severe setback when four groups rejected talks hours after Peace Minister Ram Chandra Paudel announced a dialogue would start today [Friday] in Janakpur.
Paudel even said he would lead the seven-member government team.
The rebels said talks won’t start until arrested activists are released and criminal cases withdrawn against them.
Government assurance they would be released once talks started was inadequate to create an atmosphere for a dialogue.
Nnnn

Former front members clash

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 March: Two former members of a three-party tarai front clashed in Nepalgunj Thursday sowing discord in the alliance ahead of the 10 April constituent assembly elections.
Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) youth leader Javed Siddiqui was seriously injured in a khukri assault by supporters of Madesh Janatantrik Front clashed.
Fighting erupted after three parties couldn’t present common candidates for elections in the terai.
Only TMPL and Rajendra Mahoto group of Nepal Sadbavana Party agreed to support each other in 40 of 116 constituencies; the division will divide votes for the front constituencies and increases electoral changes of Congress, CPN-UML and Maoists.
Three parties united in a fight against the government as they demanded self-determination and provincial rule to be taken up by the constituent assembly after the vote.
The fight demonstrated the difficulty in putting up common candidates as unity efforts still continue ahead of elections just 13 days away.
With increasing electoral violence, a controversial vote is becoming unlikely.
“I’m still doubtful a vote will take place,” Chairman Prachanda told an election rally in Siraha Thursday.
nnnn

Madesh groups reject talks

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 March: Four groups in the tarai rejected talks Thursday after government fixed the venue for it at janakpur Friday.
Government sad it would conduct talks with four tarai groups Friday in Janakpur but the groups rejected invitation for talks.
Peace Minister Ram Chandra Paudel announced the talks and said he would head the seven-member government team.
The rejection has embarrassed the government that is attempting to create an environment for the 10 April assembly elections by coming to an agreement with the armed groups that have unleased almost daily violence in the tarai to pushback elections.
The government team will consist of representatives of seven ruling parties.
The groups have demanded release of all activists and withdrawal of cases against them as pre-conditions.
.The groups said talks won’t be held until cases are withdrawn against arrested activists.
Government assured groups arrested persons will be released only after talks.
Nnnn

Debyani campaigns for father Pashupati SJB Rana

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 March: Debyani, the petite woman behind the 1 June 2001 Narayanhiti royal palace massacre, has taken timeout from her UN job in New Delhi to campaign for her father and RPP Chairman Pashupati SJB Rana in Sindhulalchowk.
The job isn’t new to the woman behind Crown Prince Dipendra’s woman.
She learnt the job from the panchayat days while campaigning for her father fromh his traditional constituency.
An enraged Dipendra shot dead his father King Birendra and the entire family after his parents objected to his marriage with Debyani who is married into an Indian Rajput family with connections to Sonia Gandhi.
“I am here to collect votes for my father,” Debyani said.
Girija Prasad Koirala, who was prime minister when the massacre broke, never ordered a serious investigation of any possible link between Debyani and the massacre.
nnnn

Prachanda says his party will get 150 seats

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 March: Chairman Prachanda said Tuesday CPN (Maoist) party will grab 150 seats is the 10 April constituent assembly.
Altogether 240 members are directly elected and another 335 are elected through indirect elections.
Voter’s still don’t know what the vote is all about since they only have 30-year experience in casting ballots in parliamentary elections.
The election result won’t decide the future of the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala government.
A result, like in parliamentary elections, won’t decide the government’s future.
It will still be decided by three parties who are expected to dominate politics after the vote with foreign and inside military support.
Koirala has already proposed continuing with the coalition government after elections.
But CPN (Maoist) need a majority to push a powerful presidential system they are demanding opposed by Congress and CPN-UML.
Maoists have charged a ‘ceremonial presidency’ of Congress and CPN-UML will be an extension of ceremonial monarchy.
But it’s doubtful if elections will take place with daily violence.
Four Maoists were injured in Congress attack in Gorkha Thursday, the party said.
An armed man was arrested from Prachanda’s election rally Wednesday in Siraha.
Maoists Thursday continued their attacks of rival parties; the morning began with an attack on Congress in neighbouring Dhading.
Nnnn

Koirala welcomes ‘democracy’ in Pakistan

Kathmandu, 27 March: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Prasad said he is ‘delighted’ with ‘democratic development’ in Pakistan in a congratulatory message to newly installed Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raja Gilani.
“Pakistan’s return to democracy through recently held democratic election is viewed with great interest in Nepal.
“I feel particularly delighted to see such a welcome democratic development in your country, at a time when we ourselves in Nepal are embarking upon the task of holding historic election for the constituent assembly with a view to building a democratic, peaceful , stable and prosperous Nepal,” Koirala said.
nnnn

Govt. paying for appeasing Maoists who object to Indian arms import

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 March: Home Minister Krishna Prasad Shitaula said import of ‘materials’ for police was part of a government plan to provide security to equip 14,000 police personnel supported by India after toppling royal rule in April 2006 to maintain security.
“India has been supporting the government’s efforts to gather necessary gears for the police organizations ever since then and the recent import was also a part of that effort to boost the security situation,” Shitaula added in an effort to address Maoist explanation for the import of weapons from India.
Government ‘was making effort to augment security’ ‘in the spirit of a comprehensive peace accord signed between Maoists and the government’, Shitaula said in a statement.
Maoists demanded an official explanation from Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who is also defence minister.
Chairman Prachand said the import of weapons was against the spirit of the peace 2006 government, Maoist peace accord.
Security said Nepal Armed Police and Nepal Police are looking after security traditionally provided by Nepal Army during elections.
Shitaula called Maoist objections ‘brouhaha’.
Government and Maoists have an agreement to augment strengthen the security force and arm them and UNMIN has to oversee the implementation of that agreement.
Government is paying for its policy to appease the Maoists by signing the agreement by putting state security forces and rebels at par.
Shitaula said police strength had been increased 14,000 personnel which needed to be equipped from India which views with suspicion Nepal’s import of arms from other countries.
Nnnn

Rs 1.8 million raised for Nepali woman on death row
.
Kathmandu, 27 March: Altogether Rs 1.8 million has been raised to save Nepali woman Dolma Sherpa on death row in Kuwait.
She needs Rs 5 million in legal expense and blood money.
Nnnn


Kush Kumar Joshi elected

Kathmandu, 27 March: Kush Kumar Joshi was elected chairman of FNCCI Thursday for a three-year term.
He defeated incumbent chairman Chandi Dhakal by 221 votes.
Nnnn

Koirala welcomes ‘democracy’ in Pakistan

Kathmandu, 27 March: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Prasad said he is ‘delighted’ with ‘democratic development’ in Pakistan in a congratulatory message to newly installed Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raja Gilani.
“Pakistan’s return to democracy through recently held democratic election is viewed with great interest in Nepal.
“I feel particularly delighted to see such a welcome democratic development in your country, at a time when we ourselves in Nepal are embarking upon the task of holding historic election for the constituent assembly with a view to building a democratic, peaceful , stable and prosperous Nepal,” Koirala said.
nnnn

Govt. paying for appeasing Maoists who object to Indian arms import

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 March: Home Minister Krishna Prasad Shitaula said import of ‘materials’ for police was part of a government plan to provide security to equip 14,000 police personnel supported by India after toppling royal rule in April 2006 to maintain security.
“India has been supporting the government’s efforts to gather necessary gears for the police organizations ever since then and the recent import was also a part of that effort to boost the security situation,” Shitaula added in an effort to address Maoist explanation for the import of weapons from India.
Government ‘was making effort to augment security’ ‘in the spirit of a comprehensive peace accord signed between Maoists and the government’, Shitaula said in a statement.
Maoists demanded an official explanation from Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who is also defence minister.
Chairman Prachand said the import of weapons was against the spirit of the peace 2006 government, Maoist peace accord.
Security said Nepal Armed Police and Nepal Police are looking after security traditionally provided by Nepal Army during elections.
Shitaula called Maoist objections ‘brouhaha’.
Government and Maoists have an agreement to augment strengthen the security force and arm them and UNMIN has to oversee the implementation of that agreement.
Government is paying for its policy to appease the Maoists by signing the agreement by putting state security forces and rebels at par.
Shitaula said police strength had been increased 14,000 personnel which needed to be equipped from India which views with suspicion Nepal’s import of arms from other countries.
Nnnn

Rs 1.8 million raised for Nepali woman on death row
.
Kathmandu, 27 March: Altogether Rs 1.8 million has been raised to save Nepali woman Dolma Sherpa on death row in Kuwait.
She needs Rs 5 million in legal expense and blood money.
Nnnn


Kush Kumar Joshi elected

Kathmandu, 27 March: Kush Kumar Joshi was elected chairman of FNCCI Thursday for a three-year term.
He defeated incumbent chairman Chandi Dhakal by 221 votes.
Nnnn

v

Violence continues in unlikely elections; Maoist killed; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 May: Maoists, in particular, continued to attack rival parties two days after six ruling parties agreed to strictly enforce an election code of conduct for the 10 April assembly elections.
A Maoist leader was killed in a clash in Solu; Maoist death toll in campaigning has risen to eight.
Two dozen activists on both sides were injured in the same clash at the foot of Mount Everest Wednesday during campaigning 15 days ahead of the vote.
Congress candidate, former minister and central committee member Bal Bahadur KC was airlifted to the capital with seven others to treatment of severe head injures in a clash.
CPN-UML leader Jhalanath Khanal escaped when his meeting was attacked by Maoists in Ilam.
CPN-UML said Maoists also assaulted a party meeting in Dolakha as well.
Police Wednesday freed eight RPP workers abducted by Maoists in Sindhupalchowk.
Four persons were injured when Maoists attacked another Congress meeting in Accham Wednesday.
Maoists clearly are in no mood to enforce the agreement between the ruling parties.
CPN-UML charged Maoists have taken recourse to violence fearing they will lose elections but Chairman Prachanda told a rally in Morang Wednesday if the party loses defeat won’t be acceptable.
Prachanda reasoned Maoists will lose only a rigged election
Maoists, according to Prachanda’s logic, will win the vote even it they lose.
With spiraling violence, the controversial election is unlikely.
After Maoist black flags greeted Madhav Kumar Nepal is Changranigahapur, Rautahat, Wednesday, the CPN-UML again said election will be completed with re-polling in constituencies marred by violence.
ADJUSTMENT
Rajendra Mahoto group of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) and Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) reached an agreement Wednesday for electoral adjustment without the Madesh Janatantrik Forum indicating the trio has split.
The three parties launched a successful strike demanding self-determination and provincial conceded in principle by the government of prime mInister Girija Prasad Koirala to pave the way for election.
The adjustment is bad news for Congress, CPN-UML and Maoists because the two parties have emerged stronger slimming changes of the three traditional parties in the tarai.
Maoists are contesting elections for the first time after giving up the gun.
Mahanta Thakiur of TMLP and Mahoto announced the understanding at a news conference in the tarai.
Meanwhile, four tarai militant parties demanding independence Wednesday accepted a government offer for talks.
Government is eager for a late understanding to less violence and improve the environment for peaceful elections.
The constituents of the group are unlikely to give up their demands.
Government Friday invited Madesh Tigers. Samyukta Tarai Janatantrik Morcha (Goit), Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (Jwala Singh) and Tarai Cobra for talks.
The parties agreed to conditional talks; they demanded freedom for all arrested workers and a dialogue by Friday.
Nnnn

Maoists won’t accept ‘defeat’: Prachanda

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 March: Maoist Chairman Prachanda told an election rally in Morang Wednesday the CPN (Maoist) won’t accept the result of a defeat because the party’s a victory is already assured.
Frontrunners Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Maoists aren’t expected to ‘win a clear majority’ in direct elections for 240 constituent assembly seats.
The rebellion in the terai and party defections in Congress, which expelled 200 workers, for rebellion has spoilt the changes of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s party.
Communist votes will be divided between CPN-UML and Maoists contesting elections for the first time.
The election is not to elect a successor to the Koirala government but to elect members to as assembly that will draft a new constitution.
The three major parties have already adopted a republican political manifesto and in behind-the –scene arrangement have to declare a republic in the first meeting of the assembly.
But what after that?
There’s no agreement between the three parties.
Maoists have suggested a French-style presidential system
opposed by Congress and CPN-UML.
Who will replace the acting head of state’ Koirala.
Premier Koirala has suggested the ruling coalition should continue in a grand design to hold on to power.
The interim constitution drafted by the seven parties is silent on a government after assembly elections.
The Koirala government can continue with only foreign and internal military support.
The country is heading towards further uncertain politics as the government will attempt to impose itself on the people with legislative elections mooted only two years later.
Ambitious Koirala won’t relinquish power although he has declared he will quit politics after the election; Sher Bahadur Deuba says he is Koirala’s logical successor.
National Human Rights Commission said because of abnormal conditions election’s, the vote can’t be held on the scheduled date.
Maoists continue to forcibly obstruct the campaign of rival parties.
CPN(Maoist) Tuesday abducted 11 RPP candidates in Sindhupalchowk where police has launched a search for them.
nnnn

FNCCI election

Kathmandu, 26 March: Election to choose a new leadership of FNCCI is being held Wednesday.
Incumbent Chairman Chadhi Dhakal is being challenged by second vice-president Kush Kumar Joshi.
nnnn.

Nepal host of U-17 Elite Cup tourney

Kathmandu, 26 March: Nepal will host the ACC U-17 Elite Cup later this year.
ACC development committee meeting in Karachi 19 to 21 March took the decision, Cricket Association of Nepal President Binaya Raj Pandey said.
Nnnn

Turkey to push relations with Nepal

Kathmandu, 26 March: Turkey is expanding relations with Nepal by opening a branch of Turkese International Cooperation Agency in the Nepalese capital.
The idea was pushed Tuesday at a meeting outgoing Ambassador Halil Akansi had with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
Turkey also offered a $100,000 assistance to construct a girls’ hostel of Kathmandu University in the outskirts of the Nepalese capital.
Nnnn

Violence continues unabated; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 March: Violence continues unabated with the 10 April constituent assembly only 15 days away.
In the first ambush a militant terai groups calling for independence and rejecting elections, six policemen were injured overnight when a van was ambushed along the Mahendra Highway in Siraha, one of the most volatile districts in the south bordering India.
Killings have become daily occurrences leading up to controversial elections
National Human Rights Commission this week said vote isn’t possible with is the status quo continues.
Government is still making frantic last-minute efforts to bring four militant groups to the negotiating table to normalize the situation ahead of the polls.
Peace Minister Ram Chandra Paudel said Tuesday four groups have accepted an invitation to sit down for negotiations this week.
Several persons were inured when a bomb was set off in Birgunj overnight. assembly elections on 10 April.
Government has invited militants for talks to restore peace for the vote.
Talks with four groups are expected this week.
Nnnn

PM Koirala discusses imports police equipment from India; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 March: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Wednesday discussed import of equipment for police from India intercepted by Maoists at the border town of Butwal Monday.
Police broke a Maoist cordon and released the equipment needed for election purposes, government said as more than one dozen Maoists were injure din the operation.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda has demanded a ‘satisfactory’ explanation by Wednesday from Koirala for the import of the consignment in three Indian trucks against the spirit of a government, Maoist peace accord to ‘rig’ elections.
Maoists have been demanding equal treatment of state and the PLA.
Maoists said the peace agreement debars fresh supplies of materials for the state security agencies.
The supply is the first known supply of materials from India which banned supplies after King Gyanendra slapped a three-year direct rule in february 2005 as he fought the Maoist people’s war.
Great Britain and USA joined India is banning supply of military hardware.
India has confirmed Monday it had supplied only of riot gear at Nepal government to conduct assembly election.
"The supplies consist of items required by the Armed Police Force in the context of their responsibility for augmenting security for the forthcoming CA elections," Indian embassy spokesman Gopal Bagley told The Himalayan Times.
The newspaper quoting the Indian embassy said riot gear, teargas shells and communications equipment were also supplied.
But RSS quoting home ministry spokesman Mod Raj Dotel said the consignments were ‘part of Indian government’s assistance to Nepal’s peace process’.
Dotel denied Maoist claim the import was ‘illegal’ as it ‘didn’t include material which would disrupt the election.’
Nnnn

Americans resume training to Nepal Army

Kathmandu, 26 March: USA has sent a 11-member military team for training fighters after a two-year ban, Janaastha reports.
The team started arriving Monday.
The unit under the Pacific command will impart training to Rangers at the Mountain Warfare Center and Panchkhal.
Altogether 5,000 SLRs and 1.6 million rounds of bullets were imported for Armed Police Force in a consignment intercepted by Maoists, Janaastha reports.
Another 3,000 teargas guns and shells were also secretly supplied by India.
Nnnn

Maoist intercept import of Indian ‘weapons’

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 March: Chairman Prachanda Tuesday demanded an official explanation from Prime Minister and Defence Minister Girija Prasad Koirala for what Maoists charged was the import of arms and
ammunition from India Monday night through Butwal.
Another Maoist leader Debendra Paudel ‘Sunil” said materials were brought in 40 Indian trucks through Butwal.
Maoists threatened massive protests from Wednesday if convincing explanation wasn’t forthcoming.
Prachanda charged materials were brought in during elections to spoil atmosphere and disrupt the 10 April vote against spirit of an agreement.
Maoists obstructed movement of vehicles nation-wide for one hour in protest.
Government forcibly freed three Indian trucks from Maoists who has seized them; the trucks have moved to the capital from Butwal.
Nearly one dozen Maoists were injured police freed seized trucks.
Peace Minister Ram Chandra Paudel said no arms were imported but confirmed crowd control equipment had been imported from India.
But Maoists claimed SLRs, INSAN rifles and pistols had been imported from across the border.
Nnnn



.

Communists reach electoral adjustment

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 March: In a communist attempt to sweep the 10 April constituency assembly elections, CPN (Maoist) and Janamorcha Nepal agreed Tuesday for electoral adjustment in 12 constituencies.
Prachanda and Janamorcha Chairman Amik Serchan reached an agreement.
Janamorcha will assist Prachanda in Kathmandu-5 and Rolpa; Maoists will help Serchan in Chitwan-5 under terms on an agreement.
CPN-Unity Center (Mashal ) and CPN (Maoist) also agreed to unite after elections.
Prachanda and Mashal Secretary General Prakash agreed Tuesday to help each other before elections.
Two parties agreed to form a coordination committee formed for unity.
But unity between the two biggest communist parties, CPN(Maoist) and

CPN-UML is still elusive with the two parties blaming each for failure to force unity.
Nevertheless, Prachanda and CPN-UML General Secretary held inconclusive discussions Tuesday.
Prachanda charged USA for preventing an alliance to spoil a Maoist victory in the vote.
Maoists Tuesday disrupted a meeting of CPN-UML in neighbouring Dhading candidate Rajendra Pandey despite an agreement one day earlier to observe an election code of conduct and desist from violence.
Maoists also disturbed a meeting in a Kathmandu constituency where CPN-UML woman candidate Astha Laxmi was campaigning.
Nnnn

What sort of election in Bhutan?

Kathmandu, 25 March: The Kathmandu Post in an edit entitled ‘Bhutan’s polls, Tuesday questioned the legitimacy on elections in Bhutan Monday.
‘What sort of parliamentary election is it when one-fifth of the population, who have been languishing in UNHCR-administered refugee camps, are denied the right to vote in it?
Will the much-touted polls really put an end to the absolute monarchy in Bhutan or will they be mere eyewash to legitimize the de-Bhutanization of over 140,000 people?” the newspaper asked.
Nnnn






12,000 Bhutanese referred for resettlement

Kathmandu, 24 March: Out of 108,000 Bhutanese refugees living in seven camps in Goldhap Refugee Camp of Jhapa, 12,000 persons have been referred for resettlement in seven different countries, The Rising Nepal reports.
The process of interviewing refugees who are interested in the resettlement proposal will continue, UNHCR said.
UNHCR has referred 11,000 to USA, 800 persons to Australia, slightly more than 150 to New Zealand and smaller numbers to Cananda, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.
Canada, Denmark, Netherlands and Norway have accepted 29, 13, 32 and 24 persons respectively.
Nnnn

Maoists/police clash (Breaking News)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 March: Police Tuesday morning dispersed Maoists to who had stopped a security convoy from transporting what they called arms imported from India en route to the capital at Nawal Parasi.
Local officials said the Indian trucks were transporting logistics materials and denied arms are being ferried.
One radio report said 40 trucks were in the convoy.
Maoists clashed with the police and torched a vehicle. They enforced a strike in three districts in southwest terai districts.
Chairman Prachanda demanded an explanation from government for what he called import of arms from India without consultation just ahead of elections.
Prachanda said he expects a government later Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan is flying to New Delhi for consultations Tuesday.
Nnnn




Nepali woman on death row in Kuwait

Doha, 24 March: The Nepali embassy in Saudi Arabia has again appealed to individuals to donate money to save the life of Dolma Sherpa, who has been handed down a death sentence by a court in Kuwait, The Kathmandu Post reports.
Hamid Ansari, Nepal’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said that sufficient funds have not been available for arranging a defense lawyer to represent her and pay compensation to the family of a Filipino woman who Dolma Sherpa has been accused of murdering.
At least Rs 5 million is needed and only Rs 700,000 has been collected so far.
Nnnn


Anti-American protests of Bhutanese refugees

By Bhola B Rana

Damak, Jhapa, 24 March: Nearly 300 Bhutanese refugees staged anti-American and anti-Bhutanese government protest at Beldangi refugee camp Monday, Nepal Samchararpatra reports.
They demanded a right to return home.
Bhutan Republic Youth Organization sponsored the protest and protested 100,000 refugees in refugee camps in Nepal were denied a right to vote in Monday’s election.
Refugees said the vote was meaningless.
Bhutan Communist Party (MLM) Bikalpa group said the vote was just a ploy to prolong the rule of the king.
United Revolutionary Front said the vote won’t provide relief.

[Note: Druk Phuensum Tshogpa swept 44 of 47 seats in national assemly elections.]
nnnn

20 Congress rebels move against PM Koirala

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 March: Twenty Nepali Congress rebels Monday opposed the republican agenda pushed by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala in the 10 April constituent assembly election.
The rebels led by former Speaker Taranath Ranabhatt supported in a statement the policy of reconciliation of BP Koirala and also backed Krishna Prasad Bhattarai who is pushing constitutional monarchy.
The rebels said PM Koirala is pushing is pushing an extremist line.
The rebels have challenged official party candidates in the coming elections.
Two hundred candidates and supporters have been expelled.
Congress is facing an uphill challenge with internal dissent and new regional forces in the south bordering India or the tarai.
The elections will mainly be a triangular politics between Congress, CPN-UML and Maoists who are fighting elections for the first time after a 2006 peace treaty.
Emerging regional separatist forces in tarai will be a big challenge for traditional parliamentary parties Congress and CPN-UML.
No party is expected to win a majority in the assembly where 240 candidates are being directly elected..
nnnn
20 Congress rebels move against PM Koirala

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 24 March: Twenty Nepali Congress rebels Monday opposed the republican agenda pushed by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala in the 10 April constituent assembly election.
The rebels led by former Speaker Taranath Ranabhatt supported in a statement the policy of reconciliation of BP Koirala and also backed Krishna Prasad Bhattarai who is pushing constitutional monarchy.
The rebels said PM Koirala is pushing is pushing an extremist line.
The rebels have challenged official party candidates in the coming elections.
Two hundred candidates and supporters have been expelled.
Congress is facing an uphill challenge with internal dissent and new regional forces in the south bordering India or the tarai.
The elections will mainly be a triangular politics between Congress, CPN-UML and Maoists who are fighting elections for the first time after a 2006 peace treaty.
Emerging regional separatist forces in tarai will be a big challenge for traditional parliamentary parties Congress and CPN-UML.
No party is expected to win a majority in the assembly where 240 candidates are being directly elected..
nnnn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ruling parties agree to stop violence still continued by Maoists

By Bhola B Rana


Kathmandu, 23 March: Maoists Monday continued attacks against rival parties during campaign for the 10 April constituent assembly elections even as a six-party summit decided to observe an election code of conduct.
Former foreign minister KP Sharma Oli, a politburo member of the CPN-UML, escaped unhurt when YCL attacked his group proceeding to address a public meeting in Jhapa injuring a party worker.
Oli is a vehement critic of Maoists.
Conservative RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa also survived an attack as he addressed a pubic meeting in Pokhara.
While YCL attacked political meetings of rivals, a six-party summit decided to strictly observe and enforce the election of conduct as daily violence has marred elections which is only 17 days away.
Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party (NMKP), a constituent of the ruling seven-party alliance, didn’t attend; NMKP has questioned the continuity after government negotiated an agreement with three tarai parties at the Indian embassy paving the way for elections.
Government succumbed to regional demands for self-determination and provincial rule after a prolongs 16-day strike and blockade which BNKP Chairman Narayanman Bujukakchaya said was actually slapped by India.
Six parties Monday also agreed to end clashes and conduct elections peacefully, participants said at the end of the meeting.
Forty European Union long-term election observers from 15 countries have arrived in Nepal to observe elections.
They join the core team of nine election experts based in Kathmandu, who arrived on 9 March to set up and coordinate the mission. The EU Election Observation Mission is led by Jan Mulder, a Dutch Member of the European Parliament.
nnnn
.

Bhutanese refugee camp bombed; election in Bhutan
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 24 March: A Bhutanese refugee camp was bombed overnight in Morang where one of seven UNHCR-administered refugee camps is located in east Nepal.
Other camps are located in Jhapa.
Bombers were targeting security guards radio reports said.
Reports from Bhutan said elections are being held in Bhutan Monday for the national assembly as exiles in Bhutan said the vote was a farce to continue despotic rule of the king.
The vote is being held when forcibly expelled 108,000 refugees of Nepalese ethnicity languish in east Nepal; Bhutan has a population of only 700,000 people.
Only two pro-monarchy parties are allowed to participate in the vote.
“This election is a ploy to hoodwink the international community
and to quell the demand by democrats, both in Bhutan, and others in exile,
for the establishment of genuine democracy and human rights in Bhutan.
“Above all, the Monarchy wants to legitimatize and institutionalise its privileges
to extract the enormous tax-free annuities from the State for the
maintenance of the large number of the members of the Royal Family by
manipulating the constitutional mechanism.
“Fundamental human rights - the
basic tenets of democratic practice is completely absent in the country. The
arrests of innocent people are still rampant. No political parties other
than the two royalist parties have been allowed to participate in the
electoral process,” Rongthong Kunley Dorji
said in a statement.
Nnnn


Tibetan refugees continue protests

Kathmandu, 24 March: At least one dozen Tibetan refugees who encircled the UN office in the capital were arrested after police forcibly broke up the gherao Monday.
The refugees demanded cancellation of the August Olympic Game in Beijing.
The 17,000 strong refugee community in Nepal has been staging vocal sit-ins in front of the UN office after the most recent uprising in Tibet demanding UN intervention to stop what refugees call ‘suppression’
CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist) have condemned the refugee protests and supported Beijing.
Government extended belated support for Beijing and reiterated Tibet was a part of China while saying Nepal supported a traditional One China policy.
Nnnn

Home minister summoned to election commission
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 23 March: Home Minister Krishna Prasad Shitaula was summoned to the Election Commission and was told to reinforce security, especially in the terai.
Shitaula was summoned to the commission as electoral violence continued Sunday.
Major parties said Maoists disturbed their meetings or were told to leave the districts in Rolpa, Baitadi and Nawalparasi; Maoists left their camps under UN watch and participated in electioneering on behalf of friends against the spirit of a peace treaty.
“Our friends are being killed .We will not run away; we’ll not run away; we’ll stay here; we’ll die here. We will accept a free, fair and impartial verdict,” Maoist Chairman Prachanda told reporters said SUnday.
Prachanda said six activists were killed after formal election campaign began; but other parties charge Maoists of widespread disturbances of their public meetings.
“Our workers continue to be killed. almost every day,” Prachanda said.
Prachanda charged CPN-CML’s feet were shaking after USA ordered it not to go for an electoral adjustment with CPN (Maoist); two main communist parties continue to exchange slurs even 19 days ahead of Nepal’s first controversial constituent assembly elections.
“Final destination of Maoist is the CPN-UML,” Nepal said. “Maoists are dreaming of winning elections.”
Seven ruling parties- after a long interval- will hold a summit meeting Monday to discuss elections, including violence.
“We’re concerned,” Prachanda said.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Chairman Prachanda reviewed elections, including continued violence during electioneering Sunday.
Nnnn



.

King Mahendra ordered lift on ban on political parties on 1972

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 March: King Mahendra ordered a lift on a ban on political parties in 1972 through an amendment to the constitution, a columnist knowledgeable on palace affairs writes.
But the order was never executed because the King died in January 1972, Maila Baje writes.
“The monarch had asked Sambhu Prasad Gyawali, a former law minister, to draft the necessary constitutional changes.
‘Gyawali reached the royal bungalow at Chitwan with his recommendations on the appointed morning in January 1972, only to learn that King Mahendra had died of a massive heart attack a few hours earlier.”
The revelation is significant and important for confirming speculation the then king considered lifting a constitutional ban on political parties in the panchayat era after the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.
Opposition to King Mahendra’s rule through panchayat centered around pressures to lift the ban that culminated in the 1990 movement after which the ban on parties was lifted.
The real identity of Mala Baje is not known but he is knowledgeable of palace affairs.
The columnist also reveals in a write-up entitled: King Mahendra: A legacy looms large, the late King repeatedly attempted but failed in talks with Indian leadership to get Indians out of Kalapani occupied for strategic purposes after the 1962-India-China war.
“…King Mahendra conceded that the dispute had dragged on for too long. He told an aide that he had exhausted what he considered his ‘quota of irritants’ for that particular year,” Maila Baje writes.
“…Narayanhiti Palace has clung on to documents that could have shown how King Mahendra had regularly raised the issue during meetings with Indian leaders.”
Nnnn

Talks on electoral alliance fail

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 March: Three-party talks to forge an electoral alliance between tarai parties to contest the 10 April assembly election has failed.
The failure to the front for electoral adjustment will benefit Congress , CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist), contesting elections for the first time after abandoning the 11-year people’s war.
The terai is the traditional vote bank of CPN-UML and Congress.
The failure of the tarai front soon after it forces Prime Minister Girija Praasad Koirala into concessions on self-determination and provincial rule will divide votes on the three parties in Madesh lessening the chances of three parties to win elections.
“Impossible conditions were presented,” Mahanta Thakur, leader of Tarai Madesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) told Kantipur revealing at the same time Madesh Jananantrik Forum wanted Nepal Sadbavana Party (NSP) Mahoto group out of the tripartite front.
TMLP, instead, is attempting electoral adjustment with the Mahoto group.
The three parties were trying to forge electoral adjustments in 75 constituencies.
Nnnn

Nagurjung fire controlled

Kathmandu, 23 March: A fire that destroyed forest cover stretching over three kilometers was finally controlled at 10 in the morning Sunday.
The fire approached the summer palace in the resort.
A cigarette stub probably started the fire late afternoon Saturday.
Nnnn

s

Violence continues; other details

Kathmandu, 22 March: Election-related violence continued Saturday with constituent election just 19 days away.
Maoists for the third time disrupted a meeting of CPN-UML in Ramechap attacking candidates of its main communist rival
After CPN (Maoist) overnight banned conservative RPP from campaigning in Dhankuta, east Nepal, the conservative party said in a statement Saturday free, fair and impartial election wasn’t possible.
"Election is necessary to give the country new historic direction," Koirala said but Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarau told an election rally in the far-West increasing violence may disrupt the 10 April assembly poll.
Nnnn

Rhino population jumps

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 March: Despite heavy poaching of the endangered one-horned for its skin and horn, the population of the herd in Chitwan National Park has increased to 400 plus.
Three years ago the population was for was 372.
A two-week census concludes Sunday.
The census was conducted this year in three years instead of the normal five years.
A small population has been trans-located to Bardiya National Bark in the far-West from Chitwan to same the species from possible extinction in an epidemic.
Nnnn

Indian killed in Bhutanese Maoist bomb blast

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 March: An Indian worker was killed was in south Bhutan this week in serial bomb blasts set off by Bhutanese Maoists in the south of the Buddhist Himalayan kingdom bordering, The Kathmandu Post reported Saturday from Kakadvitta in east Nepal.
More than 108,000 Bhutanese refugees live in seven UNHCR-administered camps in the region where inflows in from Bhutan where foreign reports aren’t based.
Bhutanee Maoists have started a people’s war to topple King Jigme Singhe Wangchuk.
Nineteen Bhutanese of Nepalese Hindu ethnicity have been arrested by the army after the bomb blasts that followed similar explosions in January.
Meanwhile, 60 more Bhutanese refugees arrived Friday in the Nepalese capital from east Nepalese capital en route to USA and Canada for resettlement.
The fist batch of 120 refugees left for USA and New Zealand after several western countries agreed to resettle refugees form the camps where they had been languishing for nearly 17 years.
Bhutan refused to take them back after expelling them forcibly.
Nnnn

India’s main opposition backs monarchy

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 March: India’s prime minister-in-waiting and leader of the main opposition BJP Lal Krishna Advani said his party backs monarchy in Nepal being put to vote in a controversial vote in constituent assembly election 10 April.
Advani said his party backs the 238-year-old monarchy whatever the outcome of the first popular election in nine years.
“The framework of constitutional monarchy should be preserved, since it is a symbol of Nepal’s identity and sovereignty, in the same way as the as is the case in several other countries around the world,” Advani said in his autobiography entitled ‘ My Country, My Life’.
The book was released by former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in New Delhi this week.
Ruling Congress and communist allies are working to topple King Gyanendra and monarchy by propping up Maoists even as the two ruling parties refuse to negotiate with Naxalites in their own country.
‘A soft corner for the Maoist in Nepal, whose insurgency has caused thousands of lives and greatly destabilized the Himalayan kingdom is a dangerous policy,” Advani warned.
The comments indicate BJP will reconsider New Delhi’s current failed Nepal policy if it is elected in any snap poll either this year or early 2009.
Nnnn

Complaint lodged with UN against Maoists

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 March: Election Commission has lodged a complaint with the UN against Maoists whose combatants in 28 cantonments and camps are freely coming in and out for electioneering.
UNMIN, after security council authorization, is watching the disarmed Maoists.
Commissioner Usha Nepal revealed the Commission had complained to UNMIN against Maoists while talking to reporters in Surkhet Saturday.
Leave for the combatants were cancelled Friday at a tripartite meeting of representatives of UN, Nepal Army and Maoist PLA.
Rival parties charged Maoist fighters were campaigning for Maoist candidate in the 10 April assembly elections.
A photograph printer in The Kathmandu Post showed Saturday showed hundreds of Maoists fighters in combat gear listening to Chairman Prachanda addressing a public meeting in Rolpa.
Prachanda is contesting election from a Rolpa constituency where the Maoist camp is located.
Meanwhile, Maoist violence in electioneering continues unabated.
Maoists overnight overpowered Tika Ghimere, a candidate of conservative RPP in Dhankuta, along with some of his campaigners and threatening the candidate not to contest elections.
Election materials were seized and the candidate was told to suspend electioneering.
Former prime minister and RJP chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa was similarly earlier threatened by Maoists in Dhankuta, his home district.
Thapa charged government turned a deaf ear to complaints.
Nnnn

CPN-UML chief demands phase-wise elections; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 March : As election heats up with increasing incidences of violence, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal Friday called rescheduling of the 10 April one-day poll demanding phase-wise polls.
Nepal made the call while talking to reporters at a Kathmandu hospital where he visited party workers injured in clashes with Maoists during electioneering.
Nepal said he will discuss change in election schedule with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
Killings and clashes have become daily occurrences.
Bodies of a couple, apparently killed by extortionists, were discovered in Itahari Friday when police broke into their home at the request of children studying in India.
Criminal gangs have become hyper active without police presence especially in the south bordering India; groups demanding separation control large chunks of territory where police don’t venture.
CPN-UML charged Maoists for continuing to disturpt their public meetings in Dolakha, Kavre and Sindhupalchowk..
One dozen persons were injured when Congress and
CPN-UML disturbed their public meeting in Bhajang Friday, Maoists said.
Dr Baburam Bhattarai was addressing the meeting.
Maoists also complained Congress and CPN-UML Friday disturbed their meeting in Bhajang addressed by second party leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai.
Concerned with the escalating violence, government Friday made yet another effort to invite separatist armed tarai groups to join talks be dispatching formal letters.
Peace Minister Ram Chandra Paudel invited them for talks.
But Paudel said invitations hadn’t been sent to the most violent Goit and Jwala Singh groups of JTMM who are demanding UN mediation.
They operate from across the open 1,700 km Indo-Nepal border which will be closed for three days for the vote.
Nnnn


v

Army warning

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 March: Without naming Maoists or separatist groups in the south , Nepal Army Thursday it won’t come to an agreement with any ‘element’ playing against Nepal’s integrity and sovereignty.
The army, through an official statement, also said it won’t compromise with those who have raised arms and opting for a politics of arms and those trying to topple the democratic process through arms.
The army said it won’t work with elements pushing extremism, terrorism and radicalism.
All these groups are currently active in the country.
The army said it won’t cooperate with such elements in one official statement.
The Nepal Army said ‘some elements’ are pushing ‘instability’ and ‘chaos’ pushing heir interests and attempting to drag the army in a controversy.
nnnn


Maoists claim attempt to assassinate Prachanda; other details

Kathmandu, 21 March: Maoists said at attempt was made this week to assassinate Prachanda in Rolpa where the party chief was campaigning.
The party said two Maoists were killed after a failed attempt to kill Prachanda.
Maoists will hold a two-day election review meeting in the capital from
29 March.
Without identifying a source, the news paper said the party will discuss how to turn the election into an urban rebellion.
Nnnn


Army warning

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 March: Without naming Maoists or separatist groups in the south , Nepal Army Thursday it won’t come to an agreement with any ‘element’ playing against Nepal’s integrity and sovereignty.
The army, through an official statement, also said it won’t compromise with those who have raised arms and opting for a politics of arms and those trying to topple the democratic process through arms.
The army said it won’t work with elements pushing extremism, terrorism and radicalism.
All these groups are currently active in the country.
The army said it won’t cooperate with such elements in one official statement.
The Nepal Army said ‘some elements’ are pushing ‘instability’ and ‘chaos’ pushing heir interests and attempting to drag the army in a controversy.
nnnn


Maoists claim attempt to assassinate Prachanda; other details

Kathmandu, 21 March: Maoists said at attempt was made this week to assassinate Prachanda in Rolpa where the party chief was campaigning.
The party said two Maoists were killed after a failed attempt to kill Prachanda.
Maoists will hold a two-day election review meeting in the capital from
29 March.
Without identifying a source, the news paper said the party will discuss how to turn the election into an urban rebellion.
Nnnn

Casualties feared in another Bhutan bomb explosion

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 March: United Revolutionary Front of Bhutan (ULFB) Thursday lobbed two powerful bombs at Bhutanese forces in Samchi in which some casualties are feared, Nepal Samacharpatra reports from Damak quoitng a communique issued by front Commander-in –Chief.
There are believed to be police casualties in the bombing of a police post ahead of the 24 March election for the lower chamber of a legislature.
The blasts were a warning for Bhutanese King Jigme Singhe Wangchuk, the statement said.
The fresh bombing comes after four simultaneous attacks at several places by Bhutanese Maoists in a people’s war to topple the king in the Buddhist kingdom.
Nnnn

Verbal ban on climbing Everest

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 March: Nepal’s Ministry of Tourism has imposed a ‘verbal’ and unwritten ban to limb Mount Everest until 10 May against which nearly 200 climbers Thursday gheraoed the Mountaineering Division of the Ministry demanding the decision be overturned , Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
They held discussions with the secretary.
They demanded a Ministry decision banning climbs above the first camp and demanded climbers be allowed to go up to third camp.
The newspaper quoted an unidentified climber as saying a decision could be taken Sunday.
China has banned climbs on then orth side of the peak from 1 to 10 May.
Climbers claim the ministry on Chinese ‘request’ took a ‘verbal’ decision to stop ascents up to the first camp.
Nnnn

21 days before vote, parties still releasing manifestoes; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 March: Twenty-one days before the historic constituent assembly vote, parties were releasing their political manifestoes in the hope of telling the voters what they envisaged for a ‘new Nepal’.
The message is too late; most of the voters, who have in the past cast ballots in parliamentary elections don’t also know what assembly election is all about.
Maoists, with control of the state media with the largest reach to the people through radio, television and state-owned newspapers, are dishing out only their propaganda.
Campaigning is restricted to district headquarters of the 75 districts ;Maoists have confined their opposition to headquarters in the hills and rebellion by groups demanding independence in the tarai has restricted campaigning in the south bordering India.
Daily violence continues unabated.
Serial blasts Thursday rocked Birgunj in south central Nepal; rebel groups bombed homes of security personnel in Sunsari and former Congress minister Surendra Chaudhary was targeted in an attack in Parsa.
CPN-UML charged Maoists Thursday disturbed campaigning in Chitwan and Dhading.
Meanwhile, Nepal Army denied Thursday Chief of the Army Staff Gen Rukmangaud Katawal and Maoist Chief Prachanda held discussions at an undisclosed place and time.
The Army was denying a Maoist politburo member Agni Sapkota who claimed,” the meeting was felt necessary because we see a rising threat to Nepal’s nationality from international forces.”.
Top Maoist leaders Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarau have said USA, India and palace are conspiring to deny Maoists a victory in assembly elections.
The Army denied the claim was baseless and the rumour was spread to ‘hide their own weakness’.
The army spokesman issued the denial indicating the seriousness with which the government and army have taken the Maoist charge of an international conspiracy.
Maoists have repeatedly identified foreign powers as India and USA.
Nnnn





No leave for Maoists combatants

Kathmandu, 20 March: All leave for Maoist combatants has been cancelled after complaints by major parties, including Nepali Congress of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, the former combatants under UNMIN observation were leaving camps to participate in electioneering.
The decision came into immediate effect; 12 percent of combatants in camps were eligible for leave.
Maoist fighters, parties complained, were campaigning for top candidates including Chairman Prachanda and military chief Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal”.
Their constituencies are next to the cantonments in Rolpa and Chitwan respectively.
The issue was discussed at a tripartite meeting of UN, Army and Maoist representatives who came to an agreement.
Nnnn




Nepal hopes Beijing Olympics will be a success

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 March: In a delayed reaction to the bloody revolt in neighbouring Tibet, Nepal Thursday hoped the august Beijing Olympics will succeed.
An official statement was issued by the foreign ministry as Tibetan refugees in Nepal protested against the Olympics and called for UN intervention to lend what they called oppression by Beijing.
CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist) condemned the protests of the Tibetan refugees and supported China.
But Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s Nepali Congress has maintained a studied silence.
Government also said Tibet is a part of China and called for the peace, development and progress of China.
Nepal said it is always committed to a one China policy adding it was alert at the recent developments in Tibet.
Nnnn

Chinese seek protection for nationals; Nepal govt. silent

Kathmandu, 20 March: Chinese embassy has sought protection for its nationals in Nepal at a meeting with Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
According to a senior diplomatic source, Nepal is in a difficult diplomatic situation and hasn’t issued any official comment on developments in Tibet either for or against.
CPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML have supported China demanding action protesting Tibetan refugees in Nepal.
nnnns
Chinese seek protection for nationals; Nepal govt. silent

Kathmandu, 20 March: Chinese embassy has sought protection for its nationals in Nepal at a meeting with Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
According to a senior diplomatic source, Nepal is in a difficult diplomatic situation and hasn’t issued any official comment on developments in Tibet either for or against.
CPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML have supported China demanding action protesting Tibetan refugees in Nepal.
nnnns

UNMIN to discuss Nepal Army request to end holidays for Maoist combatants

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 March: UNMIN, on urgent and short notice request, is discussing later Thursday an official request to end holidays for Maoist combatants under its observation at 28 camps and cantonments as the 10 April constituent assembly election is only 21 days away.
Nepali Congress of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Wednesday demanded the daily monitoring of movement of former fighters amid charges they were freely moving in and out of camps to participate in electioneering.
Ten percent of the combatants are allowed holiday at one time.
The constituencies of top Maoist leaders are near the cantonments.
Military leader Ram Bahadur Thapa “Badal’ is fighting elections from Chitwan and Chairman Prachanda from Rolpa, besides Kathmandu-10.
Constituencies in Chitwan and Rolpa are next to cantonments.
Representatives of Nepal Army and Maoist PLA are holding discussions with UNMIN officials at a tripartite committee meeting, Brig Geg. Shiba Ram Pradhan confirmed.
Nepali Congress charged Maoist combatants are electioneering against the spirit of a peace accord between government and Maoists; UN was invited by both sides to monitor the process.
Maoists have stepped up attacks against other parties during electioneering.
Two Maoist candidates were also shot dead at Rolpa where Chairman Prachanda was campaigning; but he was not near the spots where the firings occurred.
Prachanda said election will take place despite the violence.
“The CA polls won’t stop just because one or two candidates are killed,” Prachanda said as he charged India, USA and palace for attempting to deny his party an electoral victory.
Nnnn

King gives interview to Aljazerra

Kathmandu, 20 March: The King has given an interview to Arabian TV channel Aljazeera, Janadisha reports in its Thursday editions.
A source said the interview will be broadcast in a day or two.
The King said in the interview there was an agreement with seven parties to retain monarchy.
nnnn

British Gurkhas return medals [Excerpts]

London, 19 March: Gurkha veterans gave back military medals on Wednesday in protest at ‘disgracefully low’ pensions and called for the right to live in Britain in return for years of fighting alongside British troops, AFP reports.
About 50 Gurkhas, dressed in regimental ties and their distinctive khaki hats, handed over their medals outside parliament to call for their monthly pensions of some 131 pounds to be substantially raised.
“Pour pension is an insult, a disgrace. I was proud to be a British soldier but our British colleagues who retire get so much more than us for doing the same service,” Arkumar Gurung, 42, who saw duty in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 during a 19-year career said.
The veterans handed over thei rmedals to Nick Clegg, the leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, who is backing their cause.
[Note: Gurkhas protected Britain’s Prince Harry, the third in line in succession to the British throne in Afghanistan from where he was pulled out because of security risk after his deployment there was made public; harry praised Gurkhas.]
nnnn

Hordes apply for Korean jobs

Kathmandu, 19 March: More than 31,500 job aspirants have signed up to appear in the Korean Language Test scheduled to be held at March-end, The Kathmandu Post reports.
The language proficiency test is part of the process of sending Nepali workers to South Korea under its Employment Permit Scheme.
Nnnn


Supreme court overturns US court decision

Kathmandu, 19 March: The supreme court yesterday invalidated a 10-year divorce verdict on a Nepali couple by a US court, Ananta Raj Luitel reports in The Himalayan Times.
Dr Pushkar Raj Pandey and Sabina were granted divorce by the Pontotoc District County Court on September 14, 1998. The US court had granted divorce to them when Dr Pandey sought separation, citing irreconcilable differences while they were still living in Ada City in Oklahoma.
A division bench of justices Tahir Alil Ansari and Sharada Shrestha refused to take the US court’s verdict as valid, and ordered the defendant to produce the details of his property before the court and share it with her.
A Maoist candidate Agni Sapkota Wednesday revealed Prachanda and Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal held discussions recently at an undisclosed place and date amid foreign threats.
“Discussion took place several days ago on patriotism. The dialogue was considered necessary as we saw increasing threat to Nepal’s nationality from international forces,” Sapkota told reporters in the capital Wednesday.
Nnnn

Maoists escalate electoral violence
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 19 March: Amid protests of parties in the ruling seven party alliance that includes the CPN (Maoist) as well, Maoists Wednesday escalated electoral violence; constituent assembly election is 22 days away.
Maoists disturbed public meetings and attacked candidates of NepaliCongress, CPN-UML and Janamorcha.
Two Maoists were also killed.
Communist Rashtriya Janamorcha candidate Kamal Prasad Adhikari was sshot dead dead in Banke overnight; Adhikari was vice-chairman of the party.
The Home Ministry accused militant Jwala Singh group of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha for the killing accusing it for attempting to sabotage elections. Puran Singh Dayal was injured in chest, head and legs in a Maoist attack in the terai and another CPN-UML candidate and former minister Dharma Prasad Shah was attacked during a door-to door campaign in Siraha.
Three bombs defused in Biratnagar in the hometown of Premier Girija Prasad Koirala—one in front of a school.
Maoists Tek Bahadur Buda and Bhakta Bahadur BK were shot dead overnight in two separate shootings in Rolpa where Chairman Prachanda was campaigning for assembly elections; Prachanda is also contesting from Kathmandu-10.
Radio Nepal, now controlled by Maoists who are in government, said in prime time news Wednesday a M16 used cartridge was fund at the site of one of them murders.
M16 rifles were supplied to Royal Nepal Army by USA; Maoists seized some of the modern automatic weapons from the state army during the insurgency.
Other ruling parties have complained to the Election Commission Maoists are violating an election code of conduct by broadcasting and printing one-sided news and opinions in state-controlled media, including Radio Nepal.
Nepali Congress and CPN-UML similarly misused state media in previous governments when they controlled the Communications Ministry.
Congressman Arjun Sapkota was injured in Lamgung and Janamrocha meeting was disrupted in Ramechap.
Congress complained Maoist combatants in cantonments under UNMIN watch have come out of camps for campaigning violating the terms of a government, Maoist peace accord.
The party asked UNMIN to keep daily tabs on the movement of Maoist fighters
in the cantonments.
Nnnn



Maoists condemn Tibet protests

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 March: CPN (Maoist), who are in government, Wednesday ‘strongly’ condemned what it called the Free Tibet and anti-China activities adding the party supported a one-China policy.
The support for Beijing came at a time when China clamped down on a fresh uprising against Chinese in Tibet resulting in at least 13 deaths.
After CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist) is the second party to extend support to China and condemn activities of Tibetans against China.
A front-page cartoon in The Kathmandu Post Wednesday ridiculed CPN-UML condemnation of Tibetan refugee protests in Nepal and support for China.
The cartoon shows party General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal delivering sticks to police to beat a protesting Tibetan refugee staging a sit-in at the UN office in the Nepalese capital.
Tibetan refugees in Nepal continued protests for the fourth consecutive day in front of the UN office Wednesday demanding what they called Chinese oppression ahead of the August Olympic Games in Beijing.
Government, which also supports a one China policy, has remained silent on the uprising in Tibet.
Watch on the Nepal-Tibet border has been increased on both sides following the rebellion.
Nnnn