F OCHA Situation Overview

Issue No. 18, covering the period 16 September-08 November 2007 Kathmandu, 8 November 2007

Hi ghlights:

• Constituent Assembly (CA) election postponed • CPN-Maoist pull out of government • Re-unification of the Nepali Congress announced • Violence in Kapilbastu and Dang Districts leads to mass displacement • Respite in Violence by different groups to mark religious festivals • CPN-Maoist steps up its extortion drive countrywide • The second phase of registration of CPN-Maoist comb atants continues • Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) and other groups continue to affect the ‘reach of state’ • Humanitarian and Development actors continue to face access challenges • Diarrhoea outbreak in different parts of the country

CONTEXT Republic and adopting a fully proportional electoral system. The session, which resumed on 11 October, was however Politics and Major Developments postponed to 29 October due to the Dashain holidays and to give time to the parties to consult further. On 4 November, On 18 September, four CPN-Maoist ministers in the interim following failure of the political parties to reach consensus government tendered their resignation to the Prime Minister even after intense negotiations, CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist pursuant to their earlier threats. The CPN-Maoist cited the backed each other during a parliamentary voting session. failure of the other seven political parties in the government The Interim Parliament then endorsed the CPN-UML to reach an accommodation on the CPN-Maoist 22-point amendment proposal seeking the government to take demand. While the Prime Minister did not accept the concrete steps to hold the CA election, to declare the country resignations, the CPN-Maoist stepped up its campaign and a federal democratic Republic and to adopt a fully stated that they would oppose the planned Constituent proportional electoral system. Assembly (CA) election and launch fresh protest programmes unless Nepal was declared a republic prior to During the reporting period, the second phase of registration the election and a fully proportional electoral system adopted and verification of CPN-Maoist combatants at Surkhet and for the CA election. Kailali cantonment sites were completed. On 15 October, the second round of verification of CPN-Maoist combatants at On 25 September, following protracted negotiations and Rolpa continued before it was suspended for ten days due to subsequent Mahasamiti (general party) meeting, Nepali the Dhashain festival. The reporting period was also marked Congress (NC) party and the Nepali Congress (Democratic), with increased pressure by the CPN-Maoist leadership to the which broke away from NC in 2002, reunified. This re- government to honour its commitment and release the unification made NC the largest party in the interim allowances to the CPN-Maoist combatants who are staying in Legislature-Parliament. The reunified NC adopted a federal the cantonment sites. Following a cabinet decision on 8 republican platform, marking a historic shift in the party’s October, the government reportedly released three months approach to the monarchy and governance. worth of allowances for Maoist combatants, except for those that did not appear for second round of registration On 5 October, at the request of the government, the Election (verification). Commission (EC) announced the suspension of all electoral programmes previously scheduled for November 22. This Conflict and Security followed failure of the seven political parties to reach consensus on the mode of electoral system to adopt for the CA election. The CA poll was suspended after the CPN- The killing of local leader Moin Khan, a local Muslim and Maoist stuck to its demand for announcement of republic President, Democratic Madhesi Mukti Morcha, on 16 through the interim parliament and a fully proportional September triggered violence between different groups in election system while the Nepali Congress and other political Western region’s , which spread to Dang parties opposed the same. No new CA election date has been District on 20 September. Indefinite curfews were imposed fixed and the political parties agreed to announce a new date by the District Administration Offices in Kapilvastu and for the CA election after further consultations. Following the Dang to curb the violence. This violence, which assumed postponement of the 22 November CA election, the MPRF both ethnic (Pahadi-Madhesi) as well as religious (Muslim – leadership repudiated their previous agreement with the Non Muslim) facets led to confirmed death of 14 people and government and vowed to pursue its agitation for a fully left several others injured. The Ministry of Home Affairs proportional electoral system. At the request of CPN-Maoist, (MOHA) recorded the destruction of 325 houses and shops a special session of the interim legislature-parliament was in six Village Development Committees (VDCs), along with convened on 11 October to consider the issues of declaring a 155 vehicles torched and vandalized by mobs since 16 September. The Ministry also reported 20 houses being

OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 18/October 1 damaged in Dang District. The violence, which has since Abductions and killings by different groups also continued to subsided, led to displacement of approximately 5000-7000 be reported across the country. On 8 October, JTMM (Goit) people. For more information, please see www.un.org.np for claimed responsibility for the shooting dead of a VDC the reports produced by OCHA on the Kapilbastu and Dang Secretary in . On 14 October, an unidentified situation. group is reported to have abducted a former VDC Secretary of Karderiya VDC in Eastern region’s . On 16 October, a businessman was reportedly abducted in the same district by JTMM (Goit) on claims that he had refused to pay ‘tax’ to the JTMM faction. On 22 October, the JTMM (Goit) also reportedly abducted another businessman in . The reporting period was also marked by increase in abductions carried out by CPN-Maoist in different parts of the country, principally targeting those affiliated to other political parties. On 13 October, CPN-Maoist is reported to have abducted a businessman in Eastern Region’s Bhojpur District on claim that he was selling a rare variety of tree products without the permission of CPN-Maoist. CPN- Maoist are also claimed to have been involved in the abduction of a journalist on 5 October in Bara District. The whereabouts of the journalist remained unknown despite calls for his release and high level advocacy efforts by the family members, human rights organisations and political parties until a committee set up by CPN-Maoist to probe the incident reported that the journalist had been killed by CPN- Maoist cadres in their ‘personal capacity’. Similarly, during Humanitarian Vehicle Burnt in Kapilbastu Photo Courtesy: OCHA the reporting period, three children were reported to have been abducted and subsequently killed in the vicinity of Kathmandu valley by abductors either to settle personal In view of the Hindu and Muslim festivals Dashain and Eid scores with the affected families or for ransom. Meanwhile, a Ul Fitr, a number of Terai groups announced that they had new group called ‘Ganatantrik Tigers’ claimed responsibility suspended their ‘military activities’ to give people an for two abductions in Mid Western region’s Dang District. opportunity to celebrate the widely respected religious ceremonies. The groups including Madhesi Mukti Tigers During the reporting period, Bandhs (Strikes) and blockades (MMT) and Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) called by various groups for a variety of reasons reduced in announced suspension of strikes and other activities between intensity due to the religious festivities. The period prior to 14 October and 25 October to give people time to peacefully the religious festivals was marked by widespread strikes and participate in the religious festivals. On 12 October, due to blockades by different groups. However, on 25 October, preparations for the Dashain and Eid festivals, the Federal CPN-Maoist and its affiliates organized short protest Limbuan State Council (FLSC) also suspended their strike programmes across the country to voice discontent over the which had been in operation in the Eastern region from 3 government decision to raise oil prices without due regard to October. On 24 October, JTMM (Jwala Singh) is reported to what the CPN-Maoist claimed to be corrupt practices within have announced an extension of suspension of ‘military’ Nepal Oil Corporation, the main supplier of Petroleum activities to 17 November to enable the people of Terai to products in the country. Since 30 October, government observe all the religious festivals. The move by the above employees in Eastern Region’s have called mentioned groups led to marked reduction in the number of for closure of government offices to protest the shooting dead reported incidents, though abductions and other forms of of a District Development Committee (DDC) employee on 29 violence continued to be reported. October in Raj Biraj by unidentified assailants. The protesting government employees are demanding assurances Prior to the announcements by groups to suspend their from the government of their security and action against activities due to religious festivals as mentioned above, those who killed their colleague. bombings, killings, abductions, demand for ransom and other forms of threats aimed at political opponents and other During the reporting period, CPN-Maoist stepped up individuals and groups perceived to be a hindrance to further extortion in many districts across the country. Stating that certain aims continued to be observed, notably from the they needed funds to launch an agitation to ensure the three factions of TJMM as well as other groups. On 16 conduct of effective constituent assembly polls or to start September, one person was reportedly killed and two others fresh agitation for meaningful political reforms, including the injured when two bombs reportedly exploded in a bus in declaration of Nepal a Republic, the CPN-Maoist, through its Birgunj, Bara District. During the reporting period, five other affiliate organizations are reported to have targeted for bomb explosions targeting police stations and other public collection of ‘donation’ all cadres of the society ranging from places were reported in the same town, the last being on 1 senior government officials, businessmen and teachers. The November that reportedly led to the death of a civilian. On amount demanded by the CPN-Maoist seems to vary 19 September, a bomb reportedly exploded in the premises of depending on the perceived income of the people they were the Land Revenue Office in Raj Biraj, Saptari District, and reportedly approaching. Eastern Region. JTMM (Jwala Singh) claimed responsibility for the explosion which resulted in no injuries. Similar bomb explosions were reported on 21 September in the house of a Nepali Congress District leader in as well as in the premises of Nepal Bank in Gaur, .

OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 18/October 2

Operational Space reportedly abducted a female NGO worker in Saptari District on claims that the NGO was not maintaining ‘financial During the reporting period, different groups, notably transparency’. Similarly, in , Madhesi Tigers Madhesi Tigers as well as CPN-Maoist continued to interfere are reported to have complained to and threatened an I/NGO with the way development and humanitarian workers to stop spending a lot of money on seminars and workshops operate, especially in Eastern and Central Terai districts. instead of actual development. The same group reportedly During the reporting period, many of the reported demanded donation in form of money and petrol from operational space interference attributed to CPN-Maoist another I/NGO within the District. On 18 September, a were linked to the political demands the party desired to be private commercial vehicle contracted by WFP to carry relief met at the national level. During the second week of food was burned down by protestors in Kapilbastu District. September, CPN-Moist reported disrupted voter education During the reporting period, local people who were enforcing programmes in Central Region’s Chitwan and Rasuwa a road blockade are also reported to have blocked UN and districts, claiming that the party had not been consulted. Red Cross vehicles from moving in Mid Western Region’s Similar actions by Limbuwan groups were reported in as well as in , Far Eastern region’s . Similarly, during the Western Region. reporting period, the CPN-Maoist is reported to have continued blocking the operations of I/NGOs in Eastern On 15 October, the United Nations, donors and other aid region’s Bhojpur and Dhankuta districts. On 23 September, agencies re-launched the Basic Operating Guideline (BOGs). the CPN-Maoist is reported to have sent a letter to a donor The BOGs, which were published for the second time in four agency operating in Okhaldunga District asking for 10 days’ years, are based on the International Humanitarian salary from the staff. Similar demands by CPN-Maoist for Principles and Human rights laws make clear the operating principles of signatories concerning aid delivery, including donations from development workers were reported in the freedom to operate without hindrance. During the Bajura and Dadeldura Districts of Far Western Region where launching ceremony, the UN Resident Coordinator as well as the CPN-Maoist were reported to have demanded between donor and I/NGO representatives called upon all actors in 50,000-300,000 NPR from NGOs based on categorization the country to allow full and unimpeded access by devised by the party. CPN-Maoist also reportedly interfered development and humanitarian workers to the most with programme implementation of I/NGOs in Mid Western vulnerable people in Nepal. Signatories to the guidelines include United Nations, European Commission, Danish Region Jarjakot and Rukum districts. International Development Assistance (DANIDA), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Canadian Threats and abductions aimed at principally local NGOs International Development Agency, Norwegian Embassy, operating in the Terai districts continued during the and Department for International Development (DFID) of reporting period. During the reporting period, an NGO staff United Kingdom, Australian Agency for International was abducted and subsequently released by JTMM (Goit) in Development (Aus AID), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Saptari District. In the same district, 3 NGO workers were Embassy of Finland, Netherlands Development Organization reportedly abducted by unidentified groups during the (SNV) and Association of International Non Government reporting period. On 23 September, Madhesi Tigers Organizations (AIN). huge donations by different groups. In Eastern Region’s Reach of the State , cadres of JTMM (Jwala Singh), JTMM (Goit) as well as Madhesi Tigers are reported to have The ability of the state to deliver basic services continued to threatened VDC Secretaries leading to displacement of 33 be compromised by different groups owing to abductions, VDC Secretaries who currently operate from the District threats and intimidation. As previously reported the closure Headquarters. During the reporting period, the Chairman of of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) revenue collection the VDC Secretary Rights Protection in Central Region’s counters in Central Region’s Chautara of Sindhupalchowk Sarlahi District equally threatened that if extortion and District following directive of CPN-Maoist continued. During threats by different groups continued and the government the reporting period, the working environment for civil did not provide security to VDC Secretaries, then all the VDC servants especially in the Terai districts continued to Secretaries in the District would collectively resign on 18 deteriorate. On 30 October, following the killing of a DDC November. He stated that different armed groups involved official in Saptari District on 29 October, the DDC and VDC in threats and violence in the Terai districts have demanded officials went on strike, demanding security guarantees and a about 6 million NPR from the VDC officials in the District. safer working environment from the government. On 7 November, after 10 days of strike, 415 government employees After pulling out from the interim government, CPN-Maoist serving in various offices within the District reportedly is reported to have intensified the reviving of parallel tendered resignation, citing apathy by the government governance structures in different regions of the country as towards their plight and security concerns. On 2 November well as stepping up extortion activities. During the reporting 98 VDC Secretaries from Bara District had reportedly period, CPN-Maoist reinstated District People’s resigned, citing government failure to provide them with a Revolutionary Councils in Rolpa, Dang and Kanchanpur secure working environment and putting forward 22 points districts, including the revival of CPN-Maoist pre-school that they desired the government to fulfil before they could learning programmes in Kanchanpur District. Similarly, in resume their duties. the Eastern Region’s , the CPN-Maoist was reportedly involved in re-establishing ‘people’s judicial The working environment for VDC Secretaries continued to structures’, including active involvement in settlement of be precarious due to threats, intimidation and demand for land and other disputes. On 14 October, CPN-Maoist are reported to have demanded at least a day’s salary from all the

OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 18/October 3 police officers posted to the area police posts in Central Information from this assessment indicate among other Region’s Ramecchap District and threatened to expel the thing the existence of higher casualties than those recorded police officers out of the villages unless they paid the CPN- in the official reports and highlights a gap in the required Maoist. Similarly, in Western Region’s , CPN- medical supplies, especially in certain villages. Maoist is reportedly collecting ‘Tourism Tax’ from all foreigners who are visiting the area.

Population movement and Protection COORDINATION

During the reporting period, a number of Internally During the reporting period, the Inter-Agency Standing Displaced Persons (IDPs) who had had been displaced by the Committee (IASC) meeting was convened on 8 October to conflict continued to return to their villages of origin so as to agree on a common humanitarian appealing mechanism for celebrate the major religious festivals. Most of these returns 2008. The IASC decided to issue an appeal covering nine were facilitated by I/NGOs and Human Rights organizations. sector/thematic areas – Food Security and Malnutrition, On 7 Oct, 46 IDPs displaced in returned to Protection, Children Affected by Armed Conflict, Mine Risk their village in District with the support of SC/US and Education, Emergency Health, IDPs, Refugees, Natural INSEC. Similarly, on 12 October, 50 IDP families originally Disaster Preparedness and Response and Coordination. The displaced from Dailekh, Surkhet, Jumla, Jarjakot and Kalikot appeal is expected to be ready by mid-December. districts returned to their homes with the support of International Rescue Committee (IRC) and CARITAS. Following violence and displacement in Kapilbastu after 16 However, during the reporting period, CPN-Maoist cadres September, OCHA established an on-site operations and were reported to have captured over 4000 acres of land information centre in Kapilvastu for agencies involved in the cultivated by IDPs in Bardiya District. The CPN-Maoist is response, with local contact information, internet and reported to have captured the land so as to harvest the rice in printing facilities in Bhairahawa. OCHA also worked closely order to support the families of martyrs and Peoples with the district authorities in holding coordination meetings Liberation Army (PLA). covering a range of humanitarian and security issues. On 16 October, an information sharing meeting was held between During the reporting period, the government’s inter- operational UN agencies, OCHA and the ICRC. The meeting ministerial taskforce on Directives for the implementation of agreed to conduct ‘lessons learnt’ exercise on the Kapilbastu the National IDP Policy completed its work. These response. A semi-structured feedback format for good Directives, solidly based on the UN Guiding Principles on practices/lessons learnt has been prepared and disseminated Internal Displacement, were prepared with assistance from by OCHA in this regard. In addition the agencies agreed to OCHA’s IDP Adviser, with substantial input from concerned explore joint rapid response options, to prepare operational UN and NGO agencies. They were presented to a guidelines for different scenarios, and to preposition Stakeholders’ meeting for endorsement on 1 November and relief items. Further meetings coordinated by OCHA in both will now go to Cabinet for adoption. Similarly, the Special Kathmandu and Kapilbastu also agreed that local peace Representative of the Secretary General on the Human- support initiatives and confidence building measures need to Rights of Internally Displaced Persons sent a letter to the be identified and supported, so that the security situation is Prime Minister expressing concern at the possible stabilized in the district. disenfranchisement of perhaps 50,000 Displaced persons in Nepal unless IDPs were permitted to vote in the CA election in their place of displacement and not be required to return to their former place of residence to cast a ballot.

Health

During the reporting period, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) of the Ministry of Health and Population reported that due to floods, there had been an increase in Diarrhoea, Dysentery and Cholera cases from a number of districts across the country. The Diarrhoeal infections which started in April this year were reported in 36 out of the country’s 75 districts. EDCD confirmed that 41, 445 cases of diarrhoea had been treated in different parts of the country. According to EDCD figures, the outbreak caused 253 deaths, with Cholera cases being confirmed in Kathmandu Valley, Kalikot, Rautahat, Saptari and Chitwan districts. In response to the outbreak, which the EDCD reports is now under control, the EDCD with the support of WHO and other partners provided supply of essential drugs to the affected district and regional medical stores, established hotline for receiving information and mobilised further funds from the Central Disaster Relief Committee. For further information please contact: Saptari, Dhanusa and Rautahat districts are still currently Vincent Omuga, Humanitarian affairs Officer on under surveillance as some Diarrhoea cases continued to be 9851072870 reported. On 5 November, OCHA regional office in Greg Grimsich, Humanitarian affairs Officer on Biratnagar facilitated a joint inter-agency assessment with UNFPA and UNICEF to Saptari District to assess the 9851040021. situation of Diarrhoeal diseases in the affected villages.

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