Nepal Today: January 2010

More Maoist disqualified being discharged

Kathmandu, 30 Jan.: Altogether 451 disqualified Maoist combatants, including child soldiers, were to be discharged from a camp in Kailali
Saturday.
But all of them may not turn up to leave the camp.
Nearly half the combatants had deserted the 28 camps and cantonments under UMNIN watch from Sindhuli, Chitwan, Nawalparasi and Ilam.
Government has raised the disappearances with the UNMIN which shifts the responsibility o Maoists.
UNMIN disqualified 4,008 combatants, including 2,973 child soldiers, who were placed in camps for nearly three years even after their disqualification.
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Prisoner escapes in shootout

Kathmandu, 30 Jan.: Sanghir Khan who escaped from prison escaped after his arrest Saturday in Banke escaped in a shootout with police.
Khan escaped with handcuffs.
Nearly 200 supporters stoned two police vehicles as he was being transported.
Khan’s supporters and police exchanged more than 27 rounds of firing, reports from the far-West said.
Khan was arrested in an abduction case to months ago.
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HLPM takes firm initiatives

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 30 Jan.: The high-level political mechanism (HLPM) Friday took two firm initiatives in the absence of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal the day Nepali Congress leaders demanded a successor government should be lead by it.
Nepal is only an invited member to the mechanism.
NC President Girija Prasad Koirala, Maoist Chairman Prachand and UML
Chairman Jhalanath Khanal decided to form a state restructuring commission soonest to recommend to the constituent assembly (CA) a federal structure currently under discussion in the assembly.
The Nepali Congress has suggested a panel of experts to suggest a structure.
There are widespread differences between parties on 14 provinces suggested by a subject committee of CA.
The HLPM also directed the government to take action against those involved in clashed between Maoists and UML in Sindhuli Friday.
The body also decided to form a three-member local inquiry committee to investigate the shooting and clashes.
A report will be presented at Thursday’s HLPM meeting.
The decisions of the mechanism indicate three top party leaders of NC, UCPN (Maoist) and UML want it to be a supreme body that will direct the government to draft the constitution within the 28 may deadline, complete the peace process and integrate and rehabilitate Maoist combatants in society and state army.
If the mechanism continues to act as it did Friday, the main
Opposition UCPN (Maoist) will have a direct hand in running the government as well.
Critics of the HLPM have called it a club of three parties convened illegeally without inter and intra-party consultations.
Foreign governments and UN have supported the body arguing it will held end an extended impasse.
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Nepal gets food assistance

Kathmandu, 30 Jan.: Nepal has received $14 million in food assistance routed by United Kingdom and UN Central Emergency Response Fund (UN/CERF) through WFP, an announcement said.
Britain’s DFID has contributed $8 million while UN/CERF has
extended a $ 6 million assistance.
Nepal is experiencing food shortages and escalating food prices
Following a failed monsoon.
The winter rain has also been meager.
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Nine Nepali players injured din SAG jamboree

Kathmandu, 30 Jan. Nine Nepali players and one official were injured Friday when a hotel lift in Dhaka crashed to the ground from the fourth floor.
Three players were seriously injured.
Deba Thapa, a judo player who won a silver in the 10th SAF Games, was among the injured.
Other to judo players injured were: Ramesh Magar and KalaumanTamang on the day of the game’s inauguration.
Meanwhile Nepal’s women footballers defeated Bangladesh 1-0
Friday with the solitary goal scored by Jamuna Gurung.
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RPP and RJP to merge next week

Kathmandu, 30 Jan.: RPP led by Pashupati Shumshere JB Rana and Rashtriya Janasakti Party (RIP) chaired by Surya Bahadur Thapa will merge next week.
The new party will be named Rashtriya Shakti Prajatantra Party.
The new party name and manifesto was approved by leaders of the two
parties Friday.
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UML leaders arrested by YCL with pistol, bullets

Kathmandu, 30 Jan.: A group of UML, leading the coalition government
has been intercepted by the YCL Friday in Sindhuli with a pistol,bullets and iron rods.
Central leader Keshav Debkota was among those overpowered by
Maoists who delivered them to police.
Maoists charged UML for shooting at them from a vehicle .transporting a UML team to a party regional convention.
UML charged Maoists for excesses.
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Parmananda Jha to take oath in Nepali

Kathmandu, 30 Jan.: Inactive Vice-president Prmananda Jha is likely to spring a surprise by taking oath of office an secrecy for the prestigious post in Nepali following the seventh amendment of the interim
constitution to be endorsed by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, The Himalayan Times reports.
“He may take oath in Nepali language,” a close aide to Jha told The Himalayan Times today [Friday] on condition of anonymity.
‘Since he has already won the battle, he has been consulting the impact of his taking the oath in Nepali,” he said.
A panel of lawyers are mulling over his next move,” Mithilesh Kumar Singh, Jha’s legal advisor said
“It’s not about surprising people, but winning the battle,” Jha said.
[Note: Government and parties, including Maoists, amended the interim constitution for the seventh time this week to activate the vice-presidency
by allowing Jha, who refused last year to take his oath in Nepali, to take lhis oath in the mother tongue. Government and parties have been amending the
interim constitution to suit their interests.)
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Suspect in Bhaktapur shooting incident arrested

Kathmandu, 30 Jan: Palten Lama, 24, the main suspect in the fatal
shooting of a nine-year-old boy at Ghotetar in Bhaktapur last week
was arrested from his hideout in Kavre Thursday.
He was produced before the media in the capital Friday.
Nut Lama’s father Ratna Lama, a Maoist district leader, also wanted by the police is absconding.
Two other suspects have been arrested on the day of the shooting.
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Chinese military supplies begin pouring in

Kathmandu, 30 Jan.: The fist consignment of military supplies
given by PLA has started arriving, Kantipur reports.
This is part of a Rs 110 million help announced by China when
Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal was defence minister.
Altogether two dozers, 11 dumpers, two excavators, two rollers,
two loaders and one graders arrived through the port of Calcutta.
“This is just a start. Other consignments will come,” a senior
military officer told Kantipur.
China will assist security agencies to control anti-China activities along the
border.
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Demand in Congress for govt. change

Kathmandu, 30 Jan.: A demand has come in the Nepali Congress, a
coalition partner, for government change, Annapurna Post reports.
Youth leaders at a parliamentary party meeting called for change
saying government has failed and a government should be led by
Congress.
They also criticized the party team in government.
They said if a government change isn’t possible, the present
Congress team in government should be represented by senior
leaders.
Gagan Thapa said Congress should lead a government with Maoists.
“My proposal has the support of many lawmakers. Now the
problem can’t be resolved by retaining the government,” Thapa said.
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Interim constitution amended

Kathmandu, 29 Jan.: Parliament Thursday approved a bill to amend the interim constitution for the seventh time by a two-third majority with the support of Maoists, Nepali Congress and UML.
Altogether 499 of 503 members in the 601-member parliament voted for the amendment while four voted against the amendment to reactivate the vice-presidency.
The three largest parties in parliament had issued whips to legislators to be present for voting to enable the bill’s passage by a two-third majority.
Through the amendment, the president, vice-president and prime minister can now take their oaths of office and secrecy in their mother tongue.
Vice-president Parmananda Jha refused to take his oath in Nepali as directed by the supreme court.
Four amendment proposals were rejected,
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HLPM meets

Kathmandu, 29 Jan.: The high-level political mechanism (HLPM) meets Friday after its terms of reference and code of conduct were finalized.
The peace process, constitution drafting and the prolonged political
deadlock will be discussed at the residence of NC President Girija Prasad Koirala who is the mechanism’s coordinator.
Other members are Maoist Chairman Prachanda and UML Chairman Jhalanatah Khanal while Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is
an invited member.
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British army chief coming

Kathmandu, 29 Jan.: British Army Chief Sir David Richards arrives 4 February on a visit, army sources said.
He will hold talks with Army Chief Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung.
Richards arrives at a time when India has resumed supplies of non-lethal materials to Nepal Army.
Supplies were suspended after King Gyanendra imposed direct rule five years ago.
United Kingdom followed India is spanning ties with Nepal Army five years ago.
He will discuss Nepal-UK defence cooperation with the army chief
And political leadershisp.
Recruitment of Gurkhas in British army and pensions for them will
also be discussed.
Nepal has formally asked British government to give equal treatment to
Gurkhas in the British army.
A British court recently rules against equal pay.
The Nepali regulars of the British army get only 1/20th of the salary
given to other British soldiers.
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Myanmar foreign minister arriving

Kathmandu, 29 Jan.: Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win arrives on a four-day visit 5 February to participate in celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Myanmar.
He will hold discussions with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala.
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Sujata sacks principal personal secretary

Kathmandu, 29 Jan.: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala Thursday sacked her principal private secretary Bharat Sapkota.
This was stated in a statement of her office.
The dismissal came 24 hours after newspaper reports said
Sapkota was involved in racketeering.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Nabil Bank records Rs 63,3 million profit

Kathmandu, 29Jan. Nabil Bank recorded a Rs 63.3 million
profit in Q2 of the cuurent fiscal year ending 14 Jan.
The bank earned a Rs. 42.9 profit in corresponding period
the previous year.
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SPORTS

SAG Games kicks off Friday in Dhaka

Kathmandu, 29 Jan.: The 11th South Asian Games (SAG) kicks off in Dhaka Friday.
Altogether 283 Nepali players are participating in 23 disciplines.
Eight nations are participating in the sports jamboree.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Even before finalizing its term of reference, the High Level Political Mechanism seems to have worked wonders. Look at the way it has rejuvenated Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala.
He reminded Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal that eight
months into office he has not done enough toward rafting the
constitution.”

(Maila Baje, People’s Review, 29 Jan.)

Sujata’s personal secretary missing with lacks of rupees

Kathmandu, 28 Jan.: Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala’s private secretary Bharat Sapkota has gone missing after duping more than 50 persons, Nagarik reports.
Source said he cheated persons assuring he would tell the foreign minister for good placements, including United States, and hire persons.
Victims staged a sit-in Wednesday at Mandikatar, the residence of Sujata demanding the return of more than Rs10 million.
Sapkota went missing after the arrest last Thursday of Bachuram KC for issuing forged Nepali passports to five Afghans.
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Maoists won’t immediately disarm combatants

Kathmanddu, 28Jan.: Maoists have decided the party won’t be immediately disarmed citing danger of counterrevolution, Kantipur reports.
Chairman Prachanda in an unwritten political report to the standing committee Wednesday army integration, peace and constitution
drafting process should be executed.
Prachanda said the party can’t be immediately disarmed.
“The party won’t be immediately be disarmed.,’ Maoist spokesman Dinanath Sharma said.’ The drafting of the constitution and army
integration are co-related.”
“Counterrevolution conspiracy continues,” Prachanda told the meeting.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Madhav Nepal has carried Nepal’s democracy to a farcical end.
Every time he rushes to G.P.Koirala for his advice and
consultations, he is making a joke out of his position. When Maoists accused him of being a puppet government, this is what they should actually
have highlighted, not some unfathomable external force.”

(Narayan Manandhar, The Kathmandu Post, 28 Jan.”
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Govt. amending constitution for seventh time for its convenience

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 Jan.: The interim constitution is being amended for the seventh time Thursday for the government’s convenience to activate the vice-presidency after Vice-President Parmananda Jha refused to take his oath of office in Nepali as directed by the supreme court last year.
The apex court ruled the office of the vice-president remains vacant seven days after Jha refused to obey the court’s order.
Clad in dhoti, Jha took his oath of office and secrecy in Hindi even as the president read it out in Nepali.
Jha said he didn’t know Nepali even as he conducted supreme court proceedings in the official language when he was a judge.
Challenging the court verdict and making mockery of rule of law, Maoists, Congress and UML have registered a common resolution in parliament for seventh amendment.
The parties have issued whips to lawmakers to be present in parliament during voting Thursday and the bill needs two-third majority for the bill to be approved by the 601-member parliament.
Madesh parties opposed the amendment saying Jha can’t be reinstated as the bill won’t have retrospective effect.
Through the amendment, the president, vice-president and prime minister
can take their oaths in the mother tongue.
Hindi is not the not the mother tongue of Nepalis.
The amendment bill is being presented to enable Jha to take on responsibilities of the president when Dr Ram Baran Yadav pays a state visit of India next month.
Terai parties have also been pressing for the recognition of Hindi language.
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Nemwang attempting to narrow down differences

Kathmandu, 28 Jan.: Chairman Subash Nemwang Thursday is convening a meeting of top leaders of major political parties to narrow down intra-party differences on articles to be incorporated in a proposed constitution that has to be promulgated by 28 May to institutionalize a republic.
The country will be engulfed in a political crisis if the deadline
is missed.
The chairman will ask leaders of parties to sort out differences
on concepts of eight of 11 subject committee of the constituent assembly
that presented their concepts for inclusion in the constitution.
A task force headed by Agni Kharel of UML has presented to Nemwang details of differences between parties,
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Special committee meets Thursday

Kathmandu, 28 Jan.: A special committee for the integration, rehanbiloitatjon meets later Thursday to finalize details of a chain of command and a secretariat for Maoist combatants.
Maoists agreed in principle this week to form a chain command and a secretariat.
Maoist retain command of the fighters even though they are in cantonments and camps under UNMIN watch.
The committee headed by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal meets amid Maoist demands thy should lead the secretariat—a demand opposed by othr parties,
Nepali Congress leaders demanded an independent or an official of the peace ministry should head the secretariat.
Representatives of government security agencies and Maoists will
be represented in the secretariat.
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Local officials intensifying protest

Kathmandu, 28 Jan.: Employees of local bodies are announcing
additional protests to push demands including trade union rights.
The employees renewed their strike accusing government for
not implementing assurances given during first round of protests in December.
Local officials renewed their protests eight days ago.
Under police protection, some private organizations lifted some garbage from the streets of the capital and Lalitpur Wednesday.
Government Wednesday empowered State Minister for Local Development
Ganesh Bahadur Khadka to negotiate with striking employees.
People seeking services have inconvenienced.
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Maoist standing committee meet continues

Kathmandu, 28 Jan.: Maoist standing committee Thursday continued discussions of Chairman Prachanda’s political report for the second day.
Five persons participated in discussions Wednesday.
The meeting is discussing issues to be discussed at the HLPM, fourth phase of anti-Indian protests, constitution drafting and integration of Maoist combatants and agenda for a scheduled general convention.
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Delayed promotions in army

Kathmandu, 28 Jan.: Brigadier generals Nara Bahadur Kandel and narndra Rawal have been promoted.
The major generals were acting division commanders in the west and eastern divisions.
Their promotions were delayed for nearly three month.
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Bill on truth and reconciliation commission approved

Kathmandu, 28 Jan. A bill to establish a truth and reconciliation commission was approved buy the cabinet Wednesday.
The cabinet committee will finalize the bill for parliamentary
approval.
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Bidya Bhandari flies for New Delhi

Kathmandu, 28 Jan.: Defence Miinister Bidya Bhandari flew or New Delhi Wednesday for medical treatmnt.
She didn’t rule out political meetings with Indian leaders before returning home Sunday.
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Chandra Prakash Dhakal appointed honourary Indonesian consul general

Kathmandu, 28 Jan.: Chandra Prakash Dhakal has been appointed honourary consul general for Indonesia.
The government Wednesday okayed the decision of the Indonesian
government.
Dhakal is a banker.
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Fonseka likely to seek asylum in Nepal

Kathmandu, 28 Jan.: Gen, Sarath Fonseka is likely to seek
asylum in Nepal following his defeat in Sri Lanka presidential elections, The Kathmandu Post reports.
An unidentified woman on Wednesday phoned the Nepali Mission in Colombo after election results were announced and told
the embassy staff that Fonseka may seek asylum in Nepal.
AFP quoted Fonseka’s spokesperson as saying Fonseka was seeking protection in a neighbouring country,
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Prachanda meets Girija

Kathmandu, 27 Jan.: Chairman Prachanda Tuesday held political discussion with Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala.
The Maoist chairman proposed Koirala lead a government.
The meeting comes after Koirala chastised Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal for failure to lead the government effectively.
Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala initiated the meeting.
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Bomb disposal team deployed in Dang

Kathmandu, 27 Jan.: A bomb disposal team has been deployed at a bus park in Tulsipur, Dang, Wednesday morning to defuse a bomb hidden under a bus.
A terai rebel group has claimed responsibility for planting the bomb.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“”If this is going to be done [by including Sujata Koirala in HLPM] the HLPM will cease to exist. It will be a club of ministers. Why call it HLPM? Call it a club of ministers.”

(Congress Spokesman Arjun Narsingh KC, Naya Patrika, 27 Jan.)
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Maoists agreed to secretariat for special committee

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 Jan.: Maoists Tuesday agreed on a secretariat in the special committee for supervision, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants headed by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
But there was no agreement on Maoist demand they should head it.
Nepali Congress committee member Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said no party member should lead it.
The secretariat will command 19,000 plus combatants in 28 cantonments and camps still under Maoist command.
Members are yet to be appointed,
The secretariat will supervise, control and direct combatants’, Dr Mahat said.
Government has rejected mass integration of combatants in the state army even as Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari said she won’t accept a single Maoist in Nepal Army (NA).
A comprehensive peace agreement between Maoists and seven political parties doesn’t specify how many Maoists will be integrated.
But Nepali Congress leaders have said here is an unwritten
agreement between Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad
Koirala and Chairman Prachanda to integrate 5,000 combatants in NA.
PM Nepal has suggested Maoists should be integrated in
the next 112 days before deadline to promulgate a constitution 28 May.
Congress and UML said integration and rehabilitation is a precondition
for promulgating the constitution.
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Load-shedding extended by two more hours

Kathmandu, 27 Jan.: Load-shedding has been extended by two more hours from Thursday.
There’ll be 11 hours of daily power outage at winter ends.
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VDC secretary abducted and killed

Kathmandu, 27 Jan.: Indra Bahadur Shrestha, Sitapur VDC secretary in Banke, was abducted and killed Tuesday.
He was abducted as he was returning home from work.
Shrestha was gagged and shot dead.
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Indians enter Morang and burn effigy of Prachanda

Kathmandu, 27 Jan.: Indians, including security personnel, entered
Dainia and Rangeli in Morang Tuesday shouting slogans against Prachanda and burnt his effigy.
Indians burnt the effigy of the leader of the main opposition UCPN (Maoist) as the party and launched a nation-wide Indian campaign
Charging New Delhi for intervention in Nepal’s internal affairs.
Indian border security personnel didn’t intervene when Indians crossed the
border.
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Security reinforced at TAI

Kathmandu, 26 Jan.: Security was reinforced at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to prevent a possible hijacking as neighbouring India celebrates Republic Day Tuesday.
Security was strengthened at the request of India which has alerted neighbouring counties of hijack possibility.
Home Minister Bhim Rawal Monday convened a meeting of security agencies to prevent a hijack.
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Only 475Maoists discharged from Ilam

Kathmandu, 25Jan.: Only 475 of 800 plus disqualified Maoists were discharged from a camp in Ilam Monday.
They were from the first division.
Nearly half of the disqualified had gone missing from camps and cantonments in Sindhuli, Chitwan and Nawalparasi as well.
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Three foreigners, including two women, arrested for drugs trafficking, pedaling

Kathmandu, 25 Jan: Three foreigners, including two women, were arrested in the capital Sunday by drugs enforcement officials for trafficking 688 grams of heron.
Zambians Ani Nondo, Hiback Wanja and Filipino Mary Ann Omaldo Figrus were arrested.
Police said the trio brought the heroin from Pakistan.
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Major helicopter accident averted

Kathmandu, 25 Jan.: A helicopter of Simrik Airways brushed against the electricity transmission line over the Indrawati River of local Shipaghat near the border on Sindhupalchowk district today [Sundayt] leaving the high tension power-line dangling in the river, RSS repors from Melamchi.
Sparks emanated from the wire the moment the chopper BK 17.9 NAEL touched it and the transformer fuse went off, said eyewitness Murari Prasad Sapkota.
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CA amends schedule for 9th time

Kathmandu, 25 Jan.: The constituent assembly (CA) for the ninth time Sunday unanimously amended a schedule to complete a concept
paper for a constitution amid concerns a basic law may not be promulgated within the 28 May deadline creating a political crisis.
The deadline for 11 subject committees to complete concepts has now been extended from 21 January to 4 February.
Two discussions of two subject committees continue in the CA.
According to original schedule, the concepts were to be sent to the main constitutional committee headed by Nilambar Acharya for finalization.
There’s no unanimity between major parties on concepts.
Amid differences, the CA is now discussing a report of the committee to determine the form of governance structure.
UML leading government is divided on whether to elect a prime minister directly or through parliament as proposed by Nepali Congress.
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Supreme court okays promotion of Lt. Gen Toran Bahadur Singh

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 Jan.: In a major boost for Nepal and Defence
Minister Bidya Bhandari, a two-man supreme court bench Sunday
vacated a stay order to halt the promotion of Lt Gen Toran Jung Bahadur Singh.
The court said it will give a final verdict 21 February in a public interest litigation challenging the promotion filed by two Maoists.
NA and Defence Minister Bhandari recommended the promotion but
the government of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal withheld
the promotion for several months under intense foreign and UN
pressure.
The Nepal government approved the promotion rejecting pressures after
Intense lobbying from the defence ministry and army.
The two-men bench overturned a decision of Supreme Court Chief Justice
Anup Raj Sharma and said Lt Gen Singh is not guilty of human rights
abuses when he was chief of the Bhairabnath Battalion at the capital where 40 plus Maoists went missing during the insurgency.
The division bench ruled no charges were brought against Singh before his promotion when he was major general.
The supreme court decision comes at a time when government was under pressure also to present Major Niranjan Basnet at Kavre district court for alleged involvement in a murder of a girl while in military custody.
A US senator even charged a military court that cleared Basnet wasn’t independent.
UN sent him back from a peacekeeping mission in Chad without consulting the country providing troops.
PM Nepal, again under UN and foreign government pressure, asked NA and
Bhandari to sent Basnet to a civilian court—a request denied by Bhandari
and the army.
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Eight killed in Bhajang jeep crash

Kathmandu, 25 Jan.: Eight persons, including and Indian were killed overnight in Bhajang when a jeep plunged 200 meters off a road into a river.
Four injured are undergoing treatment at district headquarter hospital in Chainpur.
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More Maoist combatants being released

Kathmandu, 25 Jan.: Altogether 876 disqualified Maoist combatants, including child soldiers are being discharged from camps in Jhapa and Ilam Monday.
All the disqualified may not turn up though.
Only half the combatants had left camps from Sindhuli, Chitwan and Nawalparasi before their official departure even as they are under UN watch.
There are 4,008 disqualified Maoists, including 2,973 child soldiers in cantonments and camps.
Despite government concern at their disappearance, UMNIN says it
isn’t responsible putting the responsibility entirely on Maoists.
Maoists move in and out of camps freely and unhindered amid fears
Some may have joined rebel groups or Maoist fraternal organizations to
infiltrate society.
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Army opposes security sector reform idea

Kathmandu, 25 Jan.: At a time when reform in th national
army—as outlined in the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA)—
has become inevitable, Nepal Army has suggested that the security
sector reform (SSR) practiced internationally does not apply to Nepal,
The Kathmandu Post reports.
“The SSR applies to a failed sate, It is a concept applied in war-torn
countries to form a new national army by merging the country’s
army with armed groups,” said a general.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung and senior generals offered a hard-line position against SSR at a briefing organized by
Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari on Sunday.
The defence minister heads the cabinet committee on
democratization of the army, a key component of the CPA.
Meanwhile, the main opposition CCPN (Maoist) has opposed
The army’s stand on SSR, saying SSR is the core element off he CPA, agreed by Maoists and non-Maoist parties.
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Couple safe after a shootout at New Road

Kathmandu, 25 Jana.: A Patan couple escaped unhurt when two gunmen
on a motorcycle Sunday attempted to rob them of gold jewelry after shopping.
Prakash and Dipisa Rajbhandary drove back home in their car after the shooting.
The incident comes after increasing violent crimes in the Valley and
capital.
Before the fresh incident, a child was shot dead din Bhaktapur and
an attempted robbery on two million ruppes was foiled at
Giridhara.
A Maoist suspected on involvement in the Bhaktapur firing incident in
absconding.
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Drubs racket

MEDIA GOOGLE

“Comrade! I’ll occupy that chair if you vacate it to become a
member.”

(Chairman Prachanda tells PM Nepal from a high chair with Girija
Prasad Koirala and Jhalanath Khanal cartoon in Rajdhani, 25 Jan.)

“Which academic coined the word [integration] in the
comprehensive peace accord. This word is now a headache for every leader.”

(Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar, Nagarik, 25 Jan.)

“I found traces of patriotism in Nepal Army when I was prime minister.
But we should be alert against some generals who are more loyal to foreigners than Nepal.”

(Chairman Prachanda, Nagarik, 25 Jan.)
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India emphasizing signing of new extradition treaty, placing sky marshals

Kathmandu, 24 Jan.: Home Minister Bhim Bahadur Rawal , following a discussions in India with his colleagues revealed Sunday New Delhi has prioritized signing a new extradition treaty and placing sky marshals at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Rawal indicated Nepal is not yet ready to sign the agreement or allow air marshals.
Home secretaries of the two countries has signed the extradition agreement during the regime of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
“India has from before placed special emphasis on a extradition treaty and sky marshals. This time as well, India showed special interest.
“India this time prioritized increase in mutual cooperation for control of organized cross-border crime and reinforcing security management at our international airport,” Rawal told Kantipur.
“Yes. China and Pakistan have proposed [signing extradition treaties].Other countries, during discussions have raised the matter,” he said in reply to a question.
The home minister said an environment has to be created before the treaty can be signed or air marshals deployed in Nepal.
“”Either there should be agreement in parliament or between political parties. General environment should also be crated,” he said.

Police evict encroachers

Kathmandu, 24 Jan.: At least 18 persons were injured Sunday morning when police lobbed teargas shells to evicted settlers from land belonging to a Hindu temple in Mohottari, reports from the district said.
One person is seious.
Police had arrested and released 85 pwersons 21 days ago telling them to vacate the land.
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Jhalanath Khanal attending memorial meet for Jyoti Basu

Kathmandu, 24 Jan.: UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal is attending a memorial meeting for former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti
Basu in Kolkata organized by the left front government.
Khanal reports home Monday.
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Manmohan Singh coming March

Kathmandu, 24 Jan.: What could be seen here as New Delhi’s effort to address Nepal’s call for reciprocity to high-level bilateral visits, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan SInh is likely to visit Nepal sometime during March-April period, The Kathmandu Post reports.
The dates will be finalized after President Dr,Ram Baran Yadav returns home from his scheduled four-day India visit, which is scheduled to begin Feb.15.
“It would not be good to host the visit in May as the deadline for promulgating of the constitution will then be too close, “ said a Foreign Ministry official.” Many will interpret the visit in their own ways, depending on whether the constitution is drafted by then or not.”
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Nepali in UN Iraqi mission

Kathmandu, 24 Jan.: Former foreign secretary and Permanent Representative to the UN Madhu Raman Acharya has been appointed director of the UN political mission in Iraq, Nagarik reports from Washington.
Acharya was appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for one year at United Nations Mission in Iraq last week.
The appointment was political.
He is the first Nepali ‘civilian’ appointed to the post.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Even eight months after becoming prime minister, you’ve been unable to make much contribution to draft a constitution and take the peace process to a logical conclusion. Your government also hasn’t prepared a plan for the management of integration of Maoist combatants.”

(Girija Prasad Koirala to PM Nepal, Rajdhani, 24 Jan.)

‘Health [of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai] is alright. He has left taking fluids [drink] for sometime. But I give him yarshagumba thinking it will be god for his health.”

(Caretaker Kapali, Kantipur, 24 Jan.)

“Madhavbadu! You know the many problems while drafting a constitution. You’ve again got an opportunity. Do a good job.”

(Krishna Prasad Bhattarai to PM Nepal, Annapurna Post, 24 Jan.)

“Besides the Prime Minister, it would always be better if they make me also an invitee member as I am the foreign minister. The mechanism [HLPM chaired by father Girija] will have no much significance otherwise.”

(Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala, The Himalayan Times, 24 Jan.)

Summit of PM, Girija and Jhalanath Khanal

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 Jan.: One day after Maoists agreed to include Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in a high-level political mechanism (HLPM), the government chief held discussions Saturday morning with NC President Girija Prasad Koirala and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
Khanal and Koirala briefed Nepal on the mechanism’s Friday meeting; Khanal, Koirala and Chairman Prachanda are members of the body.
Prachanda wassn’t present at Saturday’s meet.
Nepal asked Koirala and Khanal to include other parties represented in parliament in the HLPM; their exclusion, he argued, would create mistruct.
Koirala and Khanal pressed for Nepal’s inclusion as a permanent invited member even as Chairman Prachanda insisted the premier should be invited to discuss only specific issues.
At a meeting of the HLPM Friday, Maoists announced withdrawal of an indefinite nation-wide anti-government and anti-president strike from Sunday pushing for what they call ‘restoration of civilian authority/
Maoists said they withdrew the strike because the end of the current
stalemate was the mechanism’s agenda.
nnnn .

Rukmangud Katawal talks of his tussle with Maoists

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 Jan.: Former Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal said Maoists attempted to factionalize and destroy Nepal Army when he was chief.
Katawal survived a Maoist attempt to sack or even entice him to accept an ambassadorship.
This came to light in an interview with BBC Nepali service whose transcripts were published in vernacular daily newspapers Saturday.
PM Prachanda was forced to quit but the army chief continued in the intense struggle.
Maoists charge foreigners for the Maoist government’s ouster after only nine months in office.
“This situation might not have arisen if they [Maoists] had acted like a minister and prime minister of Nepal and Nepalis and if they had considered the army as their own, the nation’s and Nepal’s.
“First, there was the question of retirement in Nepal Army after 30-year service. I wrote an explanation where matters relating to recruitment, general and sports weren’t legal and impractical,” Katawal said.
He said Maoists used a general to factionalize and destroy the state
army.
‘It’s been seen the effort was made by using a person. It could have happened had there been the ability and power. I feel General Kul Bahadur Khadka realized the mistake that when the effort didn’t materialize. Certainly an effort was made to use him. The purpose wasto factionalize Nepal Army and destroy it.”
During the Katawal,Prachanda tussle, the army chief reveled he went to the president at night asking not to politicize Nepal Army.
He said he complained Maoist action wasn’t legal, incorrect,
and not based on consensus and consultation.
“Nepal Army took a stand for a democratic system not seen anywhere in the world’s history,” the tough speaking retired army chief said.
He charged Maoists for working in collision with foreigners.
‘Everyone knows a foreign ambassador was called three times to sack a nation’s official. Everyone is also aware eight foreigners were called and told this person should be removed. Everyone also knows the prime minister said he couldn’t meet a foreign secretary,’ Katawal said as he gave a background to his tussle with Maoists.
“Let’s go to the background. It started the day [tussle] Maoist leaders appeared in public at the official residence of the prime minister amid allegations against Nepal Army like being a feudal, murderers and rapists. From Tundikhel it was asked: Who’s the army chief?”
“Is there any doubt?” Katawal said in response to a question whether the attack against the state army was pre-planned.
He defended the president’s decision to retain him as army chief after dismissal by the Prachanda government.
‘The president himself didn’t act. It was based agreement and
understanding of all. There was an attempt to drag the army into
politics. The president acted after political parties said peace will
be derailed” the former army chief said.
“Problem stared with orders that didn’t tally with law began pouring in.”
he revealed.“ During his [Prachanda’s] rule, we talked of democratic system and rule of law. We differed on them.”
Katawal added:” There will be no difficulty for Nepal Army to carry out government orders. But it should conform to law.”
“Nepal Army is committed to peace. Is there any doubt? By retaining weapons, Maoists can’t say they want peace. Maoists haven’t surrendered weapons which they said they would do in six months.
‘Why are they holding the weapons? On its strengthen, citizens
are being terrorized. You’ve repeatedly heard of capture of state power whether in the Shaktikhor videotape or the Khanna garment tape,” Katawal said explaining why he doesn’t trust Maoists.
“The mission then to Nepal Army was to bring Maoists to talks. They couldn’t crate a state within a state and they couldn’t defeat the army
and they came to the negotiating table. The world knows this. The
army then succeeded in its mission.
Katawal said he was offered an ambassadorial appointment which he rejected to quit as chief.
“Until the last day of retirement, I said I want to work as an effective army chief.”
nnnn
.

Armed Indian police sent back

Kathmandu, 23 Jan.: Nepal Police escorted back within 24 hours
Armed Indian police who entered Nepal, Naya Paartika reports
from Mahendranagar.
They were escorted back Friday on order of the home ministry.
Armed Indian police entered Nepal Thursday to arrest a Nepali from
Dodharachadani.
The drunk police entered Nepal at eight at night to arrest Jaya Bahadur Khadka.
Nnnn

Three foreign ministry officials also involved in passport racketeering

Kathmandu, 23 Jan.: Non-gazetted foreign ministry official Bachuram,KC has revealed three superiors were also involved in selling forged passports to five Afghans, Rajdhani reports.
KC, who is in police detention, has revealed the forged passports arrived at his desk from a deputy secretary and two department chiefs whose names weren’t known.
Nnnn

MEDIA GOGLE

“Why disband it? This is our political organization. We won’t
disband our outfit. If other parties should disband their fraternal organizations, we may consider.”

(YCL In-charge Kul Prasad KC, Janadisha, 23 Jan.)
nnnn

Maoists withdraw strike

Kathmandu, 22 Jan.: Maoists Friday withdrew a threatened indefinite nation-wide anti-government and anti-president strike that was to begin Sunday.
The retreat was announced by Chairman Prachanda following a meeting of a high-level political mechanism (HLPM).
The meeting agreed to include PM Madhav Kumar Nepal as an invited member.
Nnnn

UNMIN mandate extended

Kathmandu, 22 Jan. UN security council Thursday extended the mandate of UNMIN for another four months.
Nepal government requested the extension.
Nnnn

Four TMLP leaders killed in jeep accident

Kathmandu, 22 Jan.: Four leaders of TMLP died in a jeep accident
at Bhimphedhi in Makwanpur Friday.
Central treasurer Shib Krishna Yadan was among the dead.
A government jeep fell off the highway killing them.
nnnn

Foreign ministry official arrested. issued forged passports to Afghans

Kathmandu, 22 Jan.: Non-gazetted officer of foreign ministry Bachuram KC was arrested Thursday for issuing passports to Afghan nationals after taking a bribe, Annapurna Post reports.
The passports were issued by forging signatures.
Passports were issued to five Afghans taking a bribe of Rs 1.8 million..
Nnnn

Assents of Maoist frozen

Kathmandu, 22 Jan.: Chitwan district curt has frozen assets of three
Maoist workers accused for the murder of Kathmandu trader
Ramhari Shrestha,, Rajdhani reports.
The court froze assets of Kali Bahadur Kham, Gangaram Thapa
and Keshab Adhikari.
Nnnn

HLPM meets without PM

Kathmandu, 22 Jan.: The high-level political mechanism (HLPM) met for the second time Friday without Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal who is an invited member.
The meeting chaired by NC President Girija Prasad Koirala was attended by Chairman Prachanda and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
Maoists had agreed to include PM Nepal as invited member but later rescinded.
Maoists say the premier is himself a problem objecting his inclusion.
Nnnn

Central terai cold wave kills 21

Kathmandu, 22 Jan. A three-week cold wave in the central terai districts of Bara,Parsa and Rautahat has claimed at least 21 lives so far, local officials said.
Schools have been closed down and flights have been disrupted.
Hospitals in the districts are reporting increased cases of viral fever, cold diarrhea and pneumonia.
nnnn

EU envoys meet PM

Kathmandu, 22 Jan.: Envoys of EU held a collective meeting with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Friday.
They held discussed the peace process, constitution drafting, Maoist combatants and other issues.
The meeting comes at a time when Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari has publicly opposed integration of Maoist combatants in the state army.
The main opposition has demanded a government position on Bhandari’s statement.
nnnn

HLPM task force meets again Friday

Kathmandu, 22 Jan.: A task force of the high-level political mechanism (HLPM) meets again Friday to prepare a code of conduct and terms of reference (ToR) for the three-member body launched by NC President Girija Prasad Koirala, Chairman Prachanda and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
The meeting of the six-member task force couldn’t make headway Thursday after Maoists objected to the inclusion of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal as an invited member.
The controversial mechanism has been supported by foreign countries and UN.
But the body formed without consultations in the three political parties has come fire in the NC, CPN (Maoist) and UML.
Critics also said a mechanism without a prime minister is meaningless as it cannot take the peace process to a logical conclusion or draft a constitution within the 28 May deadline.
nnnn

Indian army chief Gen Kapoor leaves Friday

Kathmandu, 22 Jan.: Indian Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor leaves Friday after concluding a four-day visit.
He was conferred the rank of honourary general of Nepal Army by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav Friday.
The visit marks the normalization of ties between the armies of
two South Asian states after it snapped five years ago following a
royal takeover.
Gen Kapoor Thursday held consultations with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari.
Nnnn

Only 361 disqualified Maoist combatants sent home

Kathmandu, 22 Jan.: Only 361 of 622 disqualified Maoist combatants, including child soldiers, were discharged from a camp in Nawalparasi Thursday.
Government and Maoists sent them home with Rs 22,000, including transport fare.
Combatants disqualified by UNMIN were earlier sent back home from Sindhuli and Chitwan where also only half were discharged.
Government expressed concern the combatants under UNMIN watch have gone missing.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepalis staking up the issue with UNMIN, sources close to the prime minister’s office said.
nnnn

YCL has 28 camps in capital alone

Kathmandu, 22 Jan.: Maoists still maintain YCL as its paramilitary unit inside camps, Kantipur reports.
In the capital alone, there are 28 camps where 15 to 250 workers are kept.
Thy are kept in camps in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Kirtipur and Bhaktapur.
They are placed in strategic positions.
Nnnn

TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Alpine Air flying between Kathmandu, Delhi

Kathmandu, 22 Jan.: Alpine Air will start daily flights between Kathmandu and New Delhi 3 February with A320-200.
One way fare is Rs 4000 plus tax while return fare in Rs 7600 plus tax,
nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said on
Thursday that expansionist India was behind the murder of then
King Birendra Shah because he was a nationalist.”

(The Kathmandu Post report, 22 Jan.)

“You [India] wanted us to help your lackeys in the Nepali
Congress and UML to clobber the king. Could they have done that
on their own? But you weren’t about to fool us either.
Sure, we needed a safe landing. And, boy, didn’t we get it on our
terms.”

(Maila Baje’s conceptualized conversation between Prachanda and visiting Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna, People’s review, 22 Jan.)
nnnn

Special committee meets

Kathmandu, 21 Jan.: A meeting of the special committee for supervision, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants has started under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Thursday.
The meeting started amid Maoist threat to quit the committee following Defence Minister Bhandari’s assertion defence ministry won’t implement the committee’s decision to integrate Maoists in the state army.
She said the ministry and Nepal Army, stakeholders, aren’t in the committee.
’I did not say I would not accept the committee decision. I just tried to convey that the participation of the ministry and UN should be ensured in the special committee,” said a minister who overheard the telephonic conversation, according to The Kathmandu Post.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Wednesday sought explanation from Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari over her statement that her ministry and Nepal Army has no compulsion to accept any decision on army integration taken by the Prime Minister Nepal-led special committee, according to the newspaper.
Nnnn

Moon lobbies on behalf of UNMIN

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 Jan. US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Patrick Moon said Wednesday the controversial high level political mechanism launched by NC President Girija Prasad Koirala Chairman Prachanda and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal could be useful to bring parties together.
“The high kevel political mechanism could be a useful took in bringing all parties together and in reaching agreements on different issues that need to be decided,” he told reporters before concluding his Nepal visit.
The task force of the HLPM meets Thursday to prepare code of conduct and terms of reference of the mechanism to be presents to the mechanism Friday for discussion.
HLPM is mired in controversy since its launch.
Leaders of NC, UCPN (Maoist) and UML said the body was launched without discussions in parties.
NC, UML and Madesh leaders said a body that doesn’t the prime minister is meaningless.
The premier was later included as an invited guest by Koirala, Khanal and Prachanda.
“I raised human rights in all my meetings. I indicated we wanted Nepal Army and Maoists to seriously address human rights issues.
Maoists should renounce ‘violence and terrorism” and hold ‘accountable those who are responsible on human rights violence”.
He presented the preconditions for removing Maoists off the US terrorist list.
He added:” We want to see Young Communist League abandoning violent and criminal activities.”
Moon lobbied on behalf on UNMIN whose mandate ends 23 January.
“’We certainly think UNMIN’s role has been a positive one. They, like others, have been a little frustrated with the slow progress on issues they have been charged with,” the top US diplomat for South Asia said.
The UN in Nepal is a front mainly for its western
financiers.
UNMIN has come under fire for ineffectively managing 28 cantonments and camps—a hotbed for criminal activities.
Maoists move freely in and out of the camps.
In defence, UNMIN claims it only has a ‘soft ‘presence in Nepal.
nnnn

Army promotions

Kathmandu, 21 Jan.: Maj. Gen. Pawan Jung Thapa has been promoted to the vacant position of Lt. Gen in Nepal Army.
The cabinet Wednesday also extended the tenure of Maj. Generals Gaurav Shumsher J.B.Rana and Anil Jung Thapa for another two years.
Gaurav is in line to become army chief.
Nnnn

Army chief visiting China

Kathmandu, 21 Jan.: Chief of Army Staff Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung has received an invitation to visit China, a senior Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday, according to The Kathmadu Post.
The date for the trip, which will be tentatively take place, will be finalized after consultations with Chinese officials.
Meanwhile, Nepal has proposed to hold boundary talks with China in March.
“Nepal and China no not have any boundary disputes, but we need to hold such meetings regularly for the effective management of the border,” said the official.
Nnnn

NRB Governor Bhattarai on leave

Kathmandu, 21 Jan.: Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB) Governor Bijayanath Bhattarai went on leave Monday prior to retirement.
Bhattarai retires 31 January after a 36-year service.
nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“New Delhi has openly taken Narayanhiti’s place. We’re serious about this.”

(Chairman Prachanda, Naya Patrika, 21 Jan.)

”We’re concentrating on defending national sovereignty more than in forming a government.”

(Maoist leader Mohan Baidya Kiran, Rajdhani, 21 Jan.)

Indian army chief to be honoured

Kathmandu, 21 Jan.: Indian Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor will Thursday be conferred the rank of honourary general of Nepal Army by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on the third day of a four-day visit.
He will hold discussions of defence cooperation with Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari as well.
Amid Maoist prote4sts, India has resumed supplies of military hardware suspended five years after royal rule.
Nepal and India have been exchanging high-level visits after normalization of relations between the two countries.
The president will pay a state visit of India later this year.
Nnnn

Local officials resume protests

Kathmandu, 21 Jan.: Officials of local bodies like municipalities resumed protests Thursday demanding facilities accorded government officials.
They charged government for not implementing agreements reached during earlier protests.
The capital’s municipal workers stopped lifting tons of garbage
from the streets.
nnnn

Maoists demand resignation of Bidya Bhandari

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 Jan.: Maoists Wednesday demanded the resignation of Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari one day after she said she won’t implement a decision of a special committee headed by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal should it decide to integrate former rebel combatants in Nepal Army.
Maoists, in a statement, said her opposition was a ‘counterrevolutionary conspiracy’ against ‘the spirit of the comprehensive peace treaty’.
She said this during the visit of Indian Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor who also objected to mass integration of Maoists in Nepal Army.
Maoists also charged government isn’t committed to the peace agreement.
Maoists in the evening burnt effigies of Bhandari in the capital.
Bhandari has been taking a consistent position against the integration of Maoists in the state army.
Nnnn

Child shot dead

Kathmandu, 20 Jan.: Santosh Karki, 8, was shot dead by a gang in Bhaktapur Wednesday over a dispute and five others were injured,
They were abducted by a gang and shot.
Two motorcyclists have been arrested.
Irate Bhaktapur locals torched two motorcycles.
nnnn

Leprosy eradicated from Nepal

Kathmandu, 20 Jan.: Leprosy has been eradicated from Nepal after smallpox.
Health Minister Umakanta Chaudhary made the announcement
Tuesday.
The announcement was supported by WHO.
“There should be continuous monitoring of the achievement,” said
Dr Alexander Abdjapardize, WHO Nepal representative.
Nnnn

Maoists forming shadow government

Kathmandu, 20 Jan.: Maoists are forming a shadow government for check and balance, Janaastha reports.
A meeting of Maoists Tuesday took such a decision.
Nnnn

Roundtable conference

Kathmandu, 20 Jan.: Revolutionary Communist Party is holding a
roundtable conference within a week of powers outside the CA, Ghatana ra Bichar reports.
The party has concluded a constitution won’t be promulgated within the 28 May deadline.
The conference will include representatives of political groups of the East and terai.
The conference will prepare an agenda for an outlet.
This was disclosed by Chairman Mani Thapa.
nnnn

Basanta panchami observed

Kathmandu, 20 Jan.: Basanta or Shri panchamai was observed Wednesday offering puja at Sharashwati temples.
Wednesday also marks the onset of spring as well.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav is scheduled to listen to the citation of Basanta sharawan at Hanuman Dhoka.
Toddlers were initiated into writing.
Nnnn

Lumbini, Rapti anchals closed down

Kathmandu, 20 Jan.: Rashtriya Janamorcha protesting a federal structure Wednesday closed down Lumbini and Rapti anchals.
The communist opposition party which supports government from the opposition bench says a federal structure will disintegrate the nation.
The party has been conducting a phased nation-wide protest.
Nnnn

Indian army chief visiting Mustang

Kathmandu, 20 Jan.: Visiting Indian Army Chief Gen Deepak
Kapoor, on the second day of his four-day Nepal visit, is paying a flying
visit of Mustang.
Nepal Army runs a mountain warfare training institute in the district north of the Himalaya adjoining Tibet.
NA has agreed to impart mountain warfare training to Indian army officers there.
nnnn

Indian army chief arrives

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 Jan.: Indian Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor arrived Tuesday on a four-day visit marking the resumption of ties between the armies of Nepal and India snapped following a royal takeover five years ago.
Kapoor arrived one day after Foreign Minister SM Krishna ended an official Nepal visit.
The resumption of ties between the armies of the two countries was
confirmed with the resumption of supplies of non-lethal military
hardware ahead of Kapoor’s visit protested by Maoists who say
it is against the spirit of a comprehensive peace agreement.
Military supplies were suspended five years ago.
The visit demonstrates New Delhi’s firm support for the government of
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
But USA and Great Britain still continue to ban export of military hardware of Nepal.
India is Nepal’s main weapons supplier and the resumption comes at a time when supplies of bullets were depleted.
Gen Kapoor is being conferred the title of honourary general of Nepal Army by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
The Indian army chief comes immediately after Army Chief
Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung concluded an official India visit.
Gen Kapoor visits Nepal at a time when main opposition Maoists
Have launched an anti-Indian campaign allegedly for intervening
in Nepal’s political affairs.
The Indian army chief is in Nepal when Home Minister Bhim Rawal is
in India discussing security issues with his counterpart
P Chidambaran.
Rawal is being assisted in talks by chief of Nepal Police,
Armed Police Force and chief of the National Investigation
Department.
Lt Gen Toran Jung Bahadur Singh received Gen Kapoor soon after he alighted from a special aircraft carrying the Indian army chief.
The supreme court asked Nepal Army not to implement a decision
promoting him to Lt. Gen pending a final decision of the court
where a complaint has been registered.
Singh has been charged for rights violation.
Maoists Tuesday greeted Kapoor with black flags on arrival and staged a sit-in in front of the Indian embassy.
Maoists protested the Indian army chief’s suggestion they shouldn’t be
integrated en masse in Nepal Army as well as the resumption of arms supplies.
Nnnn

Defence minister challenges authority of PM

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 Jan.: Defence Minister Mrs Bidya Bhandari, considered as the only man in the cabinet Tuesday issued another challenge to
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and the special committee
for supervision, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants.
Bhandari, the widow of Madan Bhandari, said she won’t implement
a decision of the committee where stakeholders or Nepal Army isn’t represented.
She issued the gauntlet to the government chief after she refused to handover
Maj Niranjan Basnet to Kavre district court on pressure of UN and several western embassies.
Maj. Basnet was sent back from the Nepal Army peacekeeping contingent from Chad by UN without consulting the country contributing peacekeepers.
Basnet has been cleared by a military court for rights violation during the Maoist insurgency; but rights activists have registered a charge against him in Kavre district court.
Premier Nepal succumbed to international pressure and ordered Bhandari to
send Basnet to the civilian court- an order she defied.
“Even if the special committee for supervision, integration and rehabilitation chaired by the prime minister decided to integrate Maoist combatants in Nepal Army, the decision won’t be acceptable to the defence
ministry.
“Not a single Maoist combatant will be integrated in Nepal Army. The special committee doesn’t have the authority and right on integration of army. It’s work is only to supervise and integrate Maoist combatants,” she told reporters at her office.
“Why will I accent a decision of a committee where the defence
ministry and army isn’t represented? I have to sign decisions
related to the army? Why should I sign?” she asked.
“Nowhere is it written in the comprehensive peace agreement Maoist combatants will be integrated in Nepal Army,” Bhandari said adding ,” In the name of pleasing a power center a flawed decision to integrate
combatants in the national army shouldn’t be taken.”
nnnn

HLPM meets

Kathmandu, 20 Jan.: The first meeting of the high-level political mechanism [HLPM] under fire from political parties but supported by UN and several western governments was held Tuesday.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal was to be invited member didn’t attend.
Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, Chairman Prachanda and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal are its member while Koirala is coordinator.
It formed a six-member task force to prepare the mechanism’s terms of reference.
Arjun Narsingh KC and Krishna Prasad from Nepali Congress,
Vice-chairman Narayankazi Shrestha and Deb Gurung from
UCPN (Maoist) and Bharat Mohan Adhikari and Yubaraj Geywali from UML are the task force members.
HLPM meets again Friday to consider the report of the task force.
Koirala and Khanal asked Prachanda to call off the anti-government and anti-president Maoist protests.
KC said more parties will be inducted in the mechanism after the
ToR is drafted.
“We’re ready to end the protest is parties are ready to address our demands,” Prachanda said.
Nnnn

No US assurance to Prachanda

Kathmandu, 20 Jan. Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Patrick Moon Wednesday didn’t give Maoist Chairman Prachanda firm assurance Washington would take UCPN (Maoist) off its terrorist list.
Prachanda requested his party be taken off the US list at a meeting with Moon Tuesday.
Moon said USA would take a decision on a report of the US embassy.
Moon asked Prachanda to honour past commitment.
nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“UML is nobody’s private limited company where anyone can act unilaterally on his whim and fancy. The formation
of the HLPM should have been discussed in the party.”

(UML leader Jhalanath Khanal, Annapurna Post, 20 Jan.)

Nepal, India sign four MoUs

Kathmandu, 16 Jan.: Nepal and India Saturday signed four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on the first day of a three-day official visit of India Foreign Minister SM Krishna.
A fifth on the construction of a police academy wasn’t penned.
MoUs were signed by Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala and Krishna on reinforcing a road infrastructure in terai and electrification of five villages in Rupendhaehi.
MoUs were also signed for establishing a central depository and clearing and settlement system of Nepal Stock Exchange Ltd. and establishment of Nepal-India Matri Learnng Center in the capital.
In separate talks with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Koirala, the visiting minister discussed enhancing security along the 1,700 km Nepal border Friday.
:”We discussed the security of the two nations and the Nepali side assured us that Nepali land will not be used for anti-India activities,” Krishna said.
Nepal and India discussed signing a new extradition treaty, renewing a 1950 bilateral friendship treaty and signing strip maps to confirm the border.
There was no agreement on signing the strip maps; 98 percent of the
mapping work is complete.
Krishna also discussed the peace process and drafting the
constitution within the 28 May deadline.
“If Nepal can institutionalize peace, India will remain undisturbed.
“It is imperative for Nepal to write the constitution within the given timetable,” he said after the talks.
Menon flied to Birgunj Saturday to lay the foundation of an
integrated customs point there.
He flies back for talks with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav who is spaying a state visit to India in February.
Nearly one dozen persons associated with Unified National Front (UNNF), including its Chairman Phanindra Nepal were arrested at the airport Friday as they greeted Krishna with black flags.
The Front has been protesting Indian border encroachment.
Nnnn

NA confirms receiving military hardware but not weapons

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 16 Jan. Nepal Army (NA) confirmed Friday it
has received vehicles from India while denying Maoist claim that
arms supplies have begun to trickle in.
India suspended all supplies to NA during the royal regime.
The vehicle supply was received ahead of the arrival of Indian ArmyChief Gen Deepak Kapoor next week.
The visit of the Indian army chief who will be conferred the rank
of honourary general of NA, reflects the restoration of
military ties between armies of the two countries snapped during the royal regime.
“We received 45 vehicles from India as part of military aid,” The Kathmandu Post quoted Maj. Ashok Gurung of NA’s Directorate of Public Relations as saying.
Altogether 35 trucks, 10 Tata Sumo MUVs, two ambulances, one breakdown truck and a water tanker arrived Thursday, the newspaper reported.
nnnn

Jailbreak in Kapilvasthu

Kathmandu, 16 Jan.: Eight prisoners broke jail and escaped from the Kapilbasthu district prison overnight.
They dug a tunnel north of the prison and escaped.
Prisoners escaped from the same prison two years ago.
Nnnn

President offers worship at Panauti

Kathmandu, 16 Jan.: President Dr Ram Baran Baran Yadav Friday
offered prayers at Tribenighat in Panauti where a month-long
Khumba Makkar Mela began.
He offered prayers at Branayani temple.
Mass worship in neighbouring Kavre district is offered every 12 years.
nnnn

Nepali sentenced to death in Malaysia

Kathmandu, 16 Jan.: A Malaysian high court on Thursday
sentenced Ram Bahadur Rai, a Nepali factory worker, to death after
finding him guilty of murdering a Nepali friend, The Himalayan
Times reports.
Rai had been accused of stabbing the victim two years ago in the
city of Shah Alam.
nnnn

Maoists may support Deuba ousting PM Nepal

Kathmandu, 16 Jan.: Maoists have kept an option open to make senior Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba prime minister, Nagarik reports.
Maoist source revealed two rounds of talks have been
held between Deuba and Maoist Vice-chairman Narayankazi
Shrestha and lawmaker Khimlal Debkota.
Maoists will first try to form a government under them but an
alternative plan is to form a government under Deuba, a Maoist leader said.
Debkota told Nagarik Deuba’s proposal is natural.
“The proposal is only natural when the incumbent government can’t promulgate the constitution,” Debkota said.
A source claimed Deuba made the proposal to Maoists after concluding
A government led by Nepal can’t draft a constitution and Maoists
also can’t form a government as Congress President Girija Prasad
Koirala is pressing the candidacy of Sujata Koirala.
“After the Singapore agreement in which there was agreement
to make either Girija or Prachanda prime minister and it hasn’t
been implemented, only then the high-level political
mechanism was formed,” a Maoist leader said quoting Deuba’s proposal.
‘Under the circumstances, you must support me.”
The Maoist leader said the party has concluded it would be better to
support a person who was
elected from two constituencies instead of backing a person defeated in two
constituencies.
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CHATTER

“UN Chief Ban’s latest report has no suggestion for a national government
this time. Looks like New York has heard the fuss raised in Kathmandu.”

(SujanThapa)
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Indian foreign minister arrives

Kathmandu, 15 Jan.: Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna arrived Friday for a three-day visit.
Nepal and India are signing five memorandums of understanding during the visit aimed to implement a 36-pointaccord signed during Prime Minster Madhav Kumar Nepal’s India visit last year.
He will hold discussions with Chairman Prachanda whose Maoist party has launched an anti-India campaign as part of their fourth phase anti-president and anti-government protests.
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President concerned

Kathmandu, 15 Jan.: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav is concerned.
The concern was expressed at a hour-long meeting between the president and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Friday.
Nepal briefed president on the peace process, the drafting of the constitution integration and current political situation.
The meeting comes at a time when the ceremonial president has come under fire for his public assessment of the consequences if a constitution isn’t promulgated within the28 May deadline.
Dr Yadav said only the president will continue if the constitution isn’t drafted by 28 May.
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Makkar shangrati celebrated

Kathmandu, 15 Jana.: Devotees took a holy bath at rivers Friday and offered prayers to observe Makkar shangrati which marks the end of winter.
A partial solar eclipse also begins 12.24 and will last 3 hours and 19 minutes—the longest of the third millennium
Nnnn

Democratic panel sweeps NBA polls

Kathmandu, 15 Jan.: The democratic panel supported by Nepali
Congress swept polls of Nepal Bar Association (NBA).
Pren Bajadur Khadka was elected president and Bijaya Prasad Mishra general secretary.
Congress candidates defeated lawyers supported by UML
and Maoists.
Nnnn

Koirala rejects Ban assessment

Kathmandu, 15 Jan.: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday expressed the peace process is nearing collapse.
He said this as the security council meets to discuss the extension of UNMIN which ends 23 January.
“The major disagreements that have brought the pace process close to a standstill remain unresolved, increasing risk of collapse
“Positions have hardened at the opposing ends of the political spectrum which has seriously eroded the common middle ground that had from the outset, defined the peace process and remained the driving strength. There is growing and worrying risk of the political discourse being dominated by extreme voices and the focus shifting away from the peaceful and democratic path,” Ban said.
But Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad KOirala said a day later the assessment is not based on reality.
He told this at a collective meeting with ambassadors of EU countries
Thursday.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“The prime minister was careful not to name names. Although Nepal’s premier conservation agency was named for King Mahendra, the royal most associated with the color green was his second son who would go onn to become the last king. In one pithy comment, Premier Nepal praised the two most reviled kings. Was he truly overcome by that visceral approbation of the two men even the most rabid republicans cannot really conceal anymore?”

(Maila Maje, People’s Review, 15 Jan.)

PM Nepal to be invited member of HLPM

Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: Chairman Prachanda and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala Thursday morning held discussions one day after Koirala and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal agreed to include Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in a high-level political mechanism (HLPM) as an invited member.
The discussed including the premier in the mechanism.
After widespread dissatisfaction within Nepali Congress and UML, Prime Minister Nepal will be included in the high-level political mechanism as a permanent invited member.
Maoist Vice-president Dr Baburam Bhattarai has also criticized the mechanism launched personally by three parties
NC President Koirala and UML Chairman Khanal agreed Wednesday to include Nepal after the meeting and one day after Chairman Prachanda the said the premier wasn’t in the HPLM because he is an obstacle to resolving a prolonged political impasse.
Khanal said the mechanism will meet Monday.
Ram Chandra Paudel, NC vice chairman and leader of the parliamentary party said Wednesday after returning from London Koirala now isn’t in a position to impose his diktat on the party.
“It’s true Girijababu passed what he willed in the party; but the situation has now changed.
“The mechanism is surrounded in mystery although it has no power. The mechanism has first to take power from the parties in it,” Paudel said challenging aging Girija’s authority.
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Maoists close down 16 terai districts

Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: Maoists Thursday closed down 16 terai districts protesting what they call government’s inability to stop killings on its activists.
Four Maoists have been shot dead in eight days by rebel groups in two central

terai districts.
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Army officer injured in Haiti

Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: One army officer attached with the Nepal Army serving as a UN peacekeeper in the Caribbean island of Haiti was injured in Wednesday’s devastating earthquake that has killed at least 100,000 persons, NA said.
Nearly 1,000 Nepali Army personnel and 153 are attached with the UN.
Haiti is the poorest nation in the region.
Nnnn

Former King Gyanendra returns home

Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: Former King Gyanendra and Queen Komal returned home from New Delhi Wednesday.
During a five-week India visit, they attended a wedding of a
relative in Orissa.
The visit was their second to India after monarchy’s
abolition.
The couple was received at the airport by former Crown Prince Paras.
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Load-shedding to be extended from Sunday

Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: Weekly load-shedding will be extended
from 51 to 63 hours during the peak winter season.
Daily power outage will last nine hours.
Nnnn

Nitu Singh gets partial justice in India

Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: Maharashtra state government has rescinded a deportation order against Nepali student Nitu Singh, PTI reports from New Delhi.
Three conditions have been imposed for her return to resume studies.
According to the conditions, she won’t be permitted to talk with the media and will have to restrict herself to the campus.
She won’t be permitted to approach a court and has to take the permission of
campus administration to proceed out.

(Note: Singh is married to Amresh Singh, a former Congress lawmaker
and is considered close to the Indian government. Published
reports Singh engineered the expulsion in collision with the federal and
state governments for anti-India activities for which she should have been tried at a court. Singh has denied the charge against him.)
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South Korean minister arrives

Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: South Korean Deputy Minister for Foreign and
Trade Lee Yong Jong Yong arrived Wednesday for a three-day visit,
The visit aims to enhance bilateral ties,
Nnnn

New UNHCR chief

Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: Swiss national Stephane Jaquemet has been
appointed UBNMIN chief.
Jaquemet succeeds Karin Landgren.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“The major violators of human rights have been backed by
political parties while they used to be supported by police and the
army during armed struggle.”

(NHRC Chairman Kedarnath Upadhaya, The Himalayan Times,
14 Jan.)

Controversy in NSU

Kathmandu, 13 Jan.: A controversy has brewed in Nepal Students’ Union, the student wing of Nepali Congress, after six central committee members demanded elections held every two years.
Last elections was held three years ago.
Ramesh Rayamajhi, Bir Bahadur Bista, Yuvaraj Pandey, Krishna Kumari Basnet, Ramesh Karki and Sabin Tamang resigned Tuesday.
Union President Pradip Paudel charged the resignations were attempts at ‘demoralizing’ and a vote was scheduled for 19 April.
Official announcement is awaited, he said.
Nnnn

Prachanda meets Chinese intelligence officer in Hong Kong

Kathmandu, 13 Jan.: Chairman Prachanda held two-hour discussions with a Chinese intelligence officer at the third floor of a hotel in Hong Kong during a short one-day stay, Janaastha reports.
He met Chinese intelligence officer Cheng.
Besides Nepal, he looks after Burma, Laos, Vietnam and also Singapore.
He told Prachanda communist parties UML and Maoists should unite. The same message was given to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal during his recent China visit.
Cheng suggested communists should unite instead of working with rights, he advised Prachanda not to turn the heat on India.
He suggested unity with leftist forces to draft a constitution and develop diplomatic relations with the south.
PM Nepal has been advised not to isolate Maoists.
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Another Maoist activist shot dead in Bara

Kathmandu, 13 Jan.: Amid renewed escalating violence in terai, Maoist leader Rajesh Mandal shot and killed in Bara over night as he was sipping ea at a stall in a village in the central terai district.
Mandal was member of recently declared Bhojpur state committee opposed by major parties.
Maoists Wednesday held protests in Parsa, from where Mandal hailed, charging government for inability to stop slayings of party workers.
The violent Jwala Singh group of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha claimed responsibility.
Reacting immediately, Maoists vandalized two vehicles in Birgunj.
Mandal was shot as three Maoists were also shot and killed and two others were injured in a shooting in neighbouring Parsa one wee ago.
Another rebel group claimed responsibility.
Assistant CDO of Parsa was shot and injured while his guard was killed this week in Birgunj.
Nnnn

Protests against federalism in the eastern region

Kathmandu, 13 Jan.: Rashtriya Janamorcha closed down eastern anchals Wednesday protesting a federal structure saying it will disintegrate the nation.
Activists demanding Limbuwans and Kirat provinces in the region said thy will break the strike.
The main opposition communist party which supports has been holding phased protests nation-wide against a federation.
Maoists also opposed the Janamorcha protest in the Valley Sunday.
Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala called for a referendum to decide a federation which has been incorporated in principle in the interim constitution.
But major parties haven’t agreed on the final form and structure.
nnnn

Prachanda doesn’t want PM Nepal in HLPM

Kathmandu, 13 Jan.: Chairman Prachanda opposed the inclusion of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar in a high-level political mechanism (HLPM) he launched with Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and UNM Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
“It’s wrong to include the prime minister in the HLPM as the PM’s chairman Jhalanath Khanal has already become the member of the Mechanism which his to break an impasse,” the Maoist told reporters in Dhangadi Tuesday.
“There will be no way out of the present political impasse if we include the main cause of the political impasse,” he added.,
The HLPM, called an extra-constitutional body by some critics, has been dragged into a controversy immediately after launch especially for not including the government chief in it.
“Those who don’t want to take the peace process to its logical conclusion and draft a new constitution in time are unnecessarily commenting on the mechanism,” Prachanda further said.
Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel said a mechanism without a prime minister in meaningless.
Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar also called for the inclusion of the premier and Madesh parties.
‘The mechanism has no constitutional basis. It’s a mechanism not of three parties but of three leaders,” UML leader KP Sharma Oli said.
Despite the controversy, the mechanism has been welcomed by UNMIN and ambassadors of the EU in the capital.
nnnn

Schedule to be amended again

Katmandu, 13 Jan. The schedule to summit suggestions by 21 January will likely be amended for the ninth time
Debate on the concept paper of a proposed constitution began in the constituent assembly (CA) Tuesday.
But an assembly committee on governance forms hasn’t finalized its concept due to differences between parties.
The committee Tuesday decided to present a document with three separate suggestions of Maoists, TMLP and a joint Nepali Congress and UML
18 January to Chairman Subash Nemwang.
No party proposal got the required majority in a vote at the committee 1 December.
nnnn

Maoists intensify anti-India campaign

Kathmandu, 13 Jan.: Maoists have launched a village-level campaign in Dang, far-West to highlight ‘foreign interference’ in Nepal.

Chairman Prachanda started the campaign from Tanakpur in Kanchanpur this week.
Indian SSB personnel Tuesday stopped Maoist General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa from inspecting the Khuorlatan dam entering India.
Indian paramilitary personnel mistreated Nepali media personnel accompanying Thapa.
Thapa returned from the border and carried out the inspection from Nepal.
Vice-Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai said India has encroached 21,000 bighas in Suata, Nawalparasi.
Bhattarai visited Susta as part of a fourth phase Maoist campaign against the government and president.
Maoists shave been highlighting what they call foreign interference in Nepal’s internal affairs during the fresh campaign.
‘National unity won’t be fortified only by running in Kalapani and Susta,” UML Chairman Jhananath Khanal said sarcastically.
Nnnn

Charges against Rishi Dhamala withdrawn

Kathmandu, 13 Jan.: Kathmandu district court (KDC) Tuesday allowed government to withdraw terrorism and extortion charges against Reporters’ Club Chairman Rishi Dhamala and three others.
The court earlier objected the 23 October government decision to withdraw the charges leveled by the government of Prachanda.
Dhamala was included in the entourage of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar to the annual UN general assembly session after the charges were first withdrawn.
Dhamala was charged for involvement in a bomb blast in the capital carries out by a terai group.
Nnnn

Democratic panel leads in NBA elections

Kathmandu, 13 Jan. A democratic panel leads in elections for office bearers of Nepal Bar Association (MBA) held Saturday.
Purna Bahadur Khadka of the democratic panel contesting the chairmanship, collected 932 votes when vote counting ended Tuesday night.
Harikrishna Karki of progressives supported by UML and Ramnath Mainali supported by Maoists got 629 and 215 votes respectively.
Counting of votes began Wednesday.
One-third of 5921 votes have been counted so far.
nnnn

TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Kathmandu, 13 Jan.: A meeting of National Planning Commission (NPC) Tuesday chaired by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal decided to launch a three-year plan from next fiscal year.
Infrastructure, agriculture, communication and tourism development in a federal structure will be priorized.
The prime minister was chairing a mid-perm review of the current plan.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Individual soldiers or party cadre shouldn’t be held accountable for activities mandated to them during the emergency. The political leadership is responsible for those events, so victimizing individuals would make the situation worse.

(Maoist Commander Barsha Man Pun, The Kathmandu Post, 13 Jan.)

“A minister assaults a CDO and a criminal shoots at the district security chief when the government is weak.”

(MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav, The Himalayan Times, 13 Jan.)

“The statement of the chairman [Babauram Bhattarai is India’s candidate for prime minister] created a confusion which has now been resolved.”

(Baburam Bhattarai, Annapurna Post, 13 Jan.)

Nnnn

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