Respect history, King says

Kathmandu, 19 Feb: The King said respect history to uphold identity. "The self-respecting Nepalese people have an unshakable belief that one’s unique history can be upheld only by respecting one’s history," the King said on the 57th National Democracy Day Monday.

The King said the King and people launched a joint struggle 57 years ago to restore people’s rights as government didn’t remember King Trivhuban. The King defended his 1 February 2005 action.

He blamed the then government for failure to hold parliamentary elections in the stipulated time according to a provision in the 1990 constitution. We are also morally responsible for any success or failure during the 15-month efforts," he said.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala made no mention of King Trivhuban in his message. He called for constituent assembly elections by mid-June. "Only after this will we be able to take Nepal to its set destination," he said. Altogether 197 prisoners were released Monday.

People’s News/BR

Madesh Forum to announce protests

Kathmandu, 19 Feb: Madesh Forum leadership is currently meeting in the capital to announce protests after government failed to meet its demands to create an environment for talks to resolve the demands of the terai people.

The Forum demanded the resignation of Home Minister Krishna Prasad Shitaula and the formation of a commission to investigate excesses during a three-week rebellion.

Government, without consultations, Sunday introduced amendments in parliament after agreement between eight parties. The amendments envisage a federal structure for Nepal. Maintaining 205 electoral constituencies, new constituencies will be created in the terai and hills where population has increased.

The amendment ensures proportional representation of Madeshis, Dalits, indigenous people, women, labourers, farmers, disabled and backward groups on proportional representation basis.

Commission for Delineating Constituencies will fix constituencies for constituent assembly elections. The cabinet will nominate 17 prominent people to the constituent assembly.

People’s News/BR

Court releases Ansari

Kathmandu, 19 Feb: The supreme court Sunday ordered the release of former minister Salim Miya Ansari. The court called his arrest illegal. Government charged Ansari for fueling unrest in the terai. The court earlier released Kamal Thapa. Badri Prasad Mandal continues to be detained.

People’s News/BR

MESSAGE TO THE NATION FROM HIS MAJESTY KING GYANENDRA BIR BIKRAM SHAH DEV ON THE OCCASION OF THE 57TH NATIONAL DEMOCRACY DAY

(FEBRUARY 19, 2007)

Beloved countrymen,

Today, the 57th National Democracy Day, reminds us of the joint struggle launched by the King and the people, culminating in the successful restoration of the people's rights. On this historic day, we pay homage to our august grandfather His late Majesty King Tribhuvan, the architect of democracy in Nepal, and all the brave martyrs who laid down their lives for this cause.

Nepal's glorious history is guided by the fact that Monarchy has always abided by the aspirations of the Nepalese people, on whom sovereignty is vested. It is clear that the prevailing situation compelled us to take the February 1, 2005 step in accordance with the people's aspiration to reactivate the elected bodies by maintaining law and order following the dissolution of the House of Representatives at the recommendation of the elected Prime Minister of the day, who was unable to conduct general elections within the timeframe stipulated by the Constitution. Subsequent governments, too, were not successful in this task. Various obstacles thwarted our resolve to install elected representative bodies. We are also morally responsible for any success or failure during the 15 month effort. As our sole wish is that the people should govern themselves through their own elected representatives, it is well known that we reinstated the House of Representatives on April 24, 2006 with the confidence that the nation would forge ahead on the path to national unity and prosperity, while ensuring permanent peace and safeguarding multiparty democracy.

In order to consolidate multiparty democracy, elected representative bodies must be installed, taking into consideration, in a mature manner, the grievances, aspirations and sentiments of all the Nepalese to the satisfaction of all. Nepal is a kaleidoscope of diverse peoples - be they indigenous, dalits or those living in villages, cities, terai, hills or the mountainous regions. It will do well to remember that Nepal's sovereignty and integrity remains safeguarded only because all have accepted and abided by this reality. The Nepalese people alone are the arbitrators of their own destiny and they wish to build a prosperous Nepal through a meaningful exercise in multiparty democracy. The self-respecting Nepalese people have an unshakable belief that one's unique identity can be upheld only by respecting one's history.

While upholding the people's wish as supreme, may this day inspire all to remain dedicated, through multiparty democracy, to the greater welfare of Nepal and her people by ensuring their concurrence and active participation.

May Lord Pashupatinath bless us all!

Jaya Nepal!

Morcha calls strike to foil Maoist rallies

Kathmandu, 19 Feb: Terai Janatattrik Morcha has called a general strike in the terai to foil Maoist rallies in Birgunj and Janakpur, Sanghu reports.

Maoists are holding rallies in Janakpur and Birgunj on 20 and 22 February. The goit group has called a three-day general strike from 21 February.

People’s News/BR

Koirala absent from Tundikhel

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Feb: Ailing Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala couldn’t attend National Democracy Day function at Tundikhel Monday because of sickness, organizers said.

Koirala couldn’t attend Army Day celebrations coinciding with Shivaratri as well. Koirala, like Rana prime ministers, is the Commander-in Chief of the Army after contacts with the King and Army were severed last year. Eight parties have been restricting the King to the Narayanhiti Royal Palace as they put the 238-year monarchy to vote.

The eight parties aren’t are not also allowing the King to meet foreigners as well. Maoists are obstructing legitimate political activities of centrist parties as well. Against this background, leaders of eight parties Monday criticized the King’s message to the nation.

People’s News/BR

Ian Martin presents report

Kathmandu, 19 Feb: Head of the UN Mission to Nepal Ian Martin Monday presented a report on the registration of Maoist army and weapons to the Maoists and government.

Their verification will now begin. Maoists are demanding their inclusion in an interim government within one week. The prime minister says Maoists will be included in an interim government only after verification is complete.

People’s News/BR

Eight-party agreement

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb18: The eight-party meeting at Baluwatar Sunday has instructed the government to table the amendments of the interim constitution at the legislature-parliament Sunday.

The meeting agreed to add new constituencies to the existing ones according to the rise of population, said Jhal Nath Khanal of the CPN-UML.

However, the meeting failed to agree on several other provisions such as removal of the Prime Minister by the interim parliament and the provision for opposition in the interim parliament and election system for the constituent assembly polls.

Taskforce formed
The meeting has formed a task force with one member from each party to discuss and finalise those issues.

The working group will meet Monday morning or the next day and finalise those issues, said Ram Chandra Poudel of Nepali Congress after the meeting.

Khanal said while adding the new constituencies, the Himali areas will be protected and the addition will be done only in those areas where there has been increase in the population.

Dina Nath Sharma of CPN-Maoist said all those who have migrated to other areas, resettled away from their homes and those who are involved in jobs and businesses in places other than in those home areas, must have the right to vote.

Maoist Chairman Prachanda and President of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba were not present at the meeting as they were outside Kathmandu.

According to RSS, present at the meeting were leaders of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN- Maoist, Nepali Congress-Democratic, NWPP, Nepal Sadbhawana Party ( Anandidevi), Janamorcha Nepal and the Left Front.
Eight political parties were positive on the amendment f
or resolving the existing problems, and discussion is being held on implementing the address of the Prime Minister to the Madhesh agitation as well as federal state restructuring.

People's News/The Rising Nepal

Maoists torch house, kidnap family in capital

BY KOSH RAJ KOIRALA

KATHMANDU, Feb 18 - Hundreds of Maoist cadres on Sunday afternoon burnt down a house and kidnapped three of family members from Jorpati in the capital. The area remained tense until late evening as Maoists cadres affiliated to All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) targeted police personnel who reached the incident site with bricks, spears and iron rods.
Police officials, quoting one of the arrested, said some 400 garment industry workers had reached the site and torched the one-storied building belonging to Nani Bahadur Karki at Naya Basti area of Jorpati VDC at about 4 pm Sunday. Irate demonstrators beat up the Karki couple before setting ablaze all the belongings in the house including a motorcycle.

According to police sources, Maoist cadres kidnapped three people including the Karki couple, alleging that they were behind the murder of one Nawa Raj Bajgain some two months ago. Late Bajgain is the relative of Badri Bajgain, central vice-president of ANTUF.

Sources close to the Karki family said they had been living in the house of their kin at New Baneshwor for fear of Maoist assault. They had reached the house at about 3:30 pm this afternoon to take some household goods. Arms-wielding Maoist cadres pounced upon the Karki couple who were about to leave the house on a two-wheeler.

The mob dispersed at about 4:30 pm after a police team led by Bishnu Prasad Parajuli reached the incident site. Unruly agitators had even targeted police personnel with bricks, khukuris and spears. The same group had set the house on fire after the police team returned at about 5 pm. The house was almost destroyed by the time a fire engine reached the site.

Nawa Raj Bajgain, 17, was found dead near his house at Arubari on November 16 last year. Accusing the Karki family of murdering the teenager, the Bajgain family along with ANTUF members and residents of Naya Basti area of Jorpati had staged a series of protests demanding that the truth of the alleged murder be brought out.

Later, the family had filed a murder case at Kathmandu District Court, accusing Yagna Karki, Ranju Karki, Ranjit Karki and Laxmi Karki of involving in the murder. However, the court had released them on simple date some one month ago as there was no evidence to support the charge.

Deceased Bajgain was reportedly in love with a daughter of the abducted Karki. On November 12, the girl's family members had reportedly beaten up Bajgain accusing him of teasing the girl. However, the incident was settled on November 14 at the community level after the boy agreed not to interfere in the girl's life.

According to DSP Mahesh Bikram Shah, chief of Metropolitan Circle Office, Boudhha, police has taken five people including a woman in their control.

Talking to the Post, Karan, Maoist-in charge in Jorpati area, said they have taken three people in their captivity after they found locals beating them. He said that Maoist would carry out separate investigation on the murder case before setting them free. He, however, expressed ignorance about the arson and vandalism at Karki's house in the area.

People's News/The Kathmandu Post

Interim govt after UN report on arms mgmt

By A Staff Reporter
KATHMANDU, Feb. 18: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said that the interim government with the CPN (Maoist) will not be formed until the verification and management of the Maoist arms is completed and the UN team reports to the government about it.

The Prime Minister told the delegation of German parliamentarians at a meeting at Baluwatar Sunday that he was eager to take the Maoists into the government. "As soon as the management of the arms is completed, the government will be reconstituted by taking in the Maoists," Dr. Suresh Chalise, advisor to Prime Minister, quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

He said that the peace process was reaching almost to the end and the German parliamentarians said that they were willing to help Nepal in the peace process.

A member of the German parliamentary delegation said after meeting with the Prime Minister that Germany was already helping the Nepalese government. "We had special meeting with the Nepal government and are focussing on helping Nepal in the peace process," he said.

The German parliamentarians came here a week ago to evaluate the situation in Nepal. The team left Kathmandu Sunday.

People's News/The Rising Nepal