OPPOSITION TO MAKE ANTI-GOVT. PROTSTS EFFECTIVE Kathmandu, 16 Jan.: Nepali Congress has decided to make the protest programmes more effective reasoning the government was making headway to despotism, RSS reports.. A meeting of the party office bearers and central members available in the capital held at President Sushil Koirala's residence on Wednesday stressed that the chances of the formation of consensus government was getting slim because the current government was for the continuation of power by sidelining the election. They leaders in the meeting concluded that government's threat of agitation was its tactic to impose authoritarianisms. Following the meeting, central member Dr Minendra Rijal said it was the despotic thoughts of the government to say that it, despite using power, was for protest. The country was facing deepening constitutional and political crises, he said, adding that the NC, however, would continue its efforts for forging consensus to hold election in April/May. "But, the protest would be made effective joining hands with other opposition parties," he added. According to him, the NC has adopted three measures as of talks, protest and constitution for the political way out to the country. The meeting concentrated on what would be the next strategy of the party. Nnnn VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REPORT SUBMOTTED TO PM Kathmandu, 16 Jan.:. The committee formed to study and monitor the cases of violence against women across the country has submitted its report to Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, today. A high level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai on December 30, 2012 had formed an eight- member committee under the coordination of Rajuman Singh, Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister for the monitoring and investigation of various cases of violence against women. The committee was given responsibility to monitor and investigate the rape case against Sita Rai from Bhojpur district at Immigration Department at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), suspicious deaths of Saraswoti Subedi from Anamnagar, Shiva Hasami from Bardiya, Bindu Thakur of Bara, and missing case of Chhorimaiya Maharjan. Receiving the report, Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai said the serious nature of violence against women had increased in the country due to feudalistic and patriarchal thinking and that the government was committed to controlling such cases. He said the heinous crimes that took place from the government employees were grave criminal acts and that the government will implement the Committee report immediately. He expressed his commitment that the government would begin the reforms by forwarding severe actions against the guilty. The report has concluded that there have been negligence on forwarding the cases against Immigration Investigation Officers Ram Prasad Koirala and Tikaraj Koirala for the victim woman had filed petition seeking justice. The report says Former Director General of the Immigration Department, Suresh Adhikari, and Director Lekhnath Pokhrel, have also been seen responsible in the incident and that they should be taken necessary legal action. In the report, the Committee has suggested to stop the use of mobile sets and install CCTV and record the activities up to three months to make the immigration activities more transparent. Similarly, the committee, from the study of postmortem report, concluded that Subedi was hanged to death, saying no proof was revealed to justify Subedi's physical relations with the accused Krishna Prasain. In the case of Thakur, the committee suggested further investigation on the deceased's father and other persons in connection with their involvement in her murder. The committee found police investigation weak and suggested immediate action against the officials involved in the investigation of Hasami's case, whereas it suggested further investigation into the missing of Chhorimaiya Maharjan and claimed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started investigation as per the committee's directive. nnnn NEW BRITISH AMBASSADOR TAKES OVER APRIL/MAY Kathmandu, 16 Jan.: The United Kingdom has appointed Andrew James Sparkes as its new ambassador to Nepal., an announcement sid. The changeover at Lainchaur when Col. Kumar Lama has been arrested in London for alleged rights abuses rights during a 10-year insurgency as London attempts a selective prosecution of violations. Sparkes will assume office April/May later this year, according to the UK government’s official website. Sparkes succeeds Ambassador John Tucknott. “It is a great privilege to be appointed British Ambassador to a country with which we have had such a special relationship for so long,” Sparkes has been quoted as saying by GOV.UK on his appointment. “I look forward to playing my part in taking that relationship forward, as Nepal redefines itself as a nation, especially through our development partnership. My goal will be to enhance the peace and prosperity of a people for whom the British have a special affection.” Sparkes was ambassador to Kosovo, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo/ nnnn.