F OCHA - Fortnightly Situation Overview

Issue No. 27, covering the period 13 -28 May 2008 Kathmandu, 28 May 2008

Highlights: • Constituent Assembly convenes on 28 May, declares Nepal a democratic republic; king Gyanendra to leave the palace • Food crisis hits remote areas in hills and mountains and fuel shortages adversely affect population • Operational space restricted in some areas by security concerns, including a second attack on an IOM transport • Armed groups increase level of violence, with frequent IEDs, abductions and killings • Negotiations on forming a new government face major hurdles • Bandh in Kathmandu Valley and protests following PLA killing of a Kathmandu businessman • Due to the lack of textbooks and related protests, schools close down for two weeks

CONTEXT ceremonial president after the abolition of monarchy, and to amending the interim constitution so that a government can be Political situation formed and removed through a simple majority in the CA. The Terai Madhesh Democratic Party (TMDP) was also expected to Constituent Assembly convenes, republic declared join this agreement.

Following a swearing in ceremony of newly elected members On 22 May Senior NC leader and former prime minister Sher on 27 May and under tight security arrangements, and after Bahadur Deuba ruled out his party's involvement in the to-be- more hours of delay, the first session of the Constituent formed government and the possibility of a working alliance Assembly (CA) convened at the Birendra International with Maoists if the latter failed to address the NC‘s seven-point Convention Centre (BICC), Naya Baneshwor, in Kathmandu in demands issued earlier. the evening of 28 May. As planned, the CA decided to declare Nepal a democratic republic and thereby abolished the 239- year old monarchy. Nepal‘s erstwhile king Gyanendra was given a two week period to leave the Royal Narayanhiti palace.

The Election Commission directed CA members elected from two constituencies to quit any of the two seats by 8 June. (NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba from Dadeldhura and Kanchanpur, Maoist chairman Prachanda from Kathmandu and Rolpa, Maoist leader Dev Gurung from Manang and Kaski, MJF coordinator Upendra Yadav from Sunsari and Morang and MJF leader Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar from Sunsari and Morang) By-elections will be held in due course.

Prior to the CA meeting, the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN/M), (NC) and the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) party had reached an understanding that political parties will select the remaining vacant 26 seats: the Maoists will recommend nine names, NC and UML five each, A single temporary pontoon bridge links the Rajapur Delta to Bardiya District. Photo: OCHA ‘s Rights Forum two and one each by Terai Prachanda has rejected outright pre-conditions put by the other Madhesh Democratic Party, , CPN-ML, political parties such as disbanding of Young Communist Rastriya Prajatantra Party and People‘s Front Nepal. Out of the League (YCL) and People‘s Liberation Army (PLA) for joining a 26 members, the parties agreed to nominate 10 members from government led by his party and declared that he will be at the the ethnic communities as recommended by Nepal Federation helm by 2 June. CPN/M has proposed that the PLA should be of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN). immediately brought under the government and integrated

with the Nepal Army and to convert the YCL into a political Formation of a new government organisation.

On 24 May, Prime Minister (PM) Koirala formally asked Just before the CA meeting, the three major political parties CPN/M to form the country‘s next government. The Maoists agreed to create the position of a ceremonial President with have started consultations with other parties over the limited powers and to bestow executive powers to the PM. formation of a coalition government, but the outcome of these However, all parties remain in intense negotiations over power- negotiations is still far from certain. CPN/M has proposed its sharing arrangements and public positions could change. chairman (—Prachanda“) as the next PM.

CPN/M further proposed to share ministerial portfolios but Political violence and tensions was reportedly not ready to share the posts of President, deputy president, PM and Chairperson of the CA, as demanded A local restaurant owner and businessman of Koteshwor, by other political parties. Kathmandu, Ram Hari Shrestha, was allegedly abducted,

tortured and killed earlier in May by PLA cadres at Shaktikhor Other major political parties - NC, UML and the Madhesi cantonment in Chitwan district. The Maoists had accused People's Rights Forum (MPRF), which together have 266 seats Shrestha, a Maoist supporter, of stealing money and a handgun - subsequently formed a common stance on power sharing and from a property he rented to them in Kathmandu. The victim's amendments of the interim constitution. They agreed to a

OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 27 /28 May 2008 1 family members and Koteshwor residents formed a struggle Similarly, Prithvi Singh-led Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha committee and - together with more than 100 civil society (JTMM) also claimed their involvement in the bomb explosion organizations - urged the PM to investigate the murder and to at a soap factory there the same night, and in Dang, a man was immediately disband the PLA. They then staged a Kathmandu injured in an explosion on 13 May. On 14 May, at least seven Valley-wide bandh on 21 May, following days of persons have been injured when unidentified groups detonated demonstrations, which was also supported by the NC, UML bombs at Rautahat and Parsa. At least six persons were injured and MPRF. when a pipe bomb detonated at a medical shop in Gaur (Bara) on 14 May. The Terai Army (TA) has taken responsibility for the Various human rights defenders have condemned the murder blast. Meanwhile, a team of Nepal Army defused a socket bomb of Shrestha inside a PLA cantonment and demanded that the placed by unidentified groups at a shop in Gaur on 14 May, for murderers be brought to justice. Maoist Chairman Prachanda which the Terai Cobra claimed responsibility. On 21 May, four has expressed regret over the incident. CPN/M has accepted IEDs were found at Niglihawa of Kapilvastu. One IED exploded ”moral responsibility‘ for the murder, and the Maoist leader when an ox step on it; the remaining three IEDs were defused met with wife and brother on 22 May, and suspended Kali by the Nepal Army. On 25 May, a child was killed when cadres Bahadur Kham Magar alias Bibidh, commander of the of All Terai Liberation Front (ATLF) detonated a bomb at a rice Chitwan-based third division cantonment of the PLA to mill at Kalyanpur, Saptari, and a pressure cooker bomb was facilitate investigation into the killing. Shrestha's family defused by the Nepal Army in Dharan, Sunsari. withdrew all protest programmes after Prachanda agreed in writing to pay the family Rs 2 million in compensation and Fatal bus accidents have increased significantly over the recent pledged to bring the culprits involved to justice. period. A bus packed with pilgrims fell off a mountain road in Dang on 19 May, killing at least 50 people. On 20 May 7 The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) condemned persons died and more than 30 were injured when a bus had an the killing of Shrestha which Maoist army commanders have accident at in Tanahu along Prithvi highway. On 16 May 24 acknowledged was committed by their members. This act was persons were injured as a bus had an accident near Tilhana, declared a serious breach of the commitments made in the Okharkot of Pyuthan. On the same day, 27 passengers were Agreement on Monitoring the Management of Arms and injured including 9 seriously when a bus collided with another Armies (AMMAA) reached between the CPN/M and the then bus at Jyamire of Makawanpur. On 21 May, a passenger bus Government. plunged into a river on the Gulariya-Rajapur road, Bardiya; At least 7 persons were injured. This latest incident of violence committed by Maoists has triggered a wave of protests and reactions. General Secretary of From 14 to 16 May, a transport strike called by the transport the NC-affiliated Nepal Students Union (NSU) said on 19 May entrepreneurs in Mechi, Koshi and Sagarmatha zones affected the union would launch a 'jihad' against YCL atrocities. NC has the Eastern region, until the entrepreneurs found an agreement directed its sister wings to hold protest demonstrations against with the government to review the compensation system in the Maoists in Kathmandu to pressure CPN Maoists —to stop its traffic accidents. As per the existing provision, a family of the violent activities.“ deceased in an accident receives a compensation of Rs 75,000.

Expressing serious concern over what it said were criminal A public transport strike was also called by activities of YCL, the National Human Rights Commission Transportation Association in Dhanusha and Mahottari (NHRC) has urged the government to probe crimes committed districts from 13 to 16 May. Transport operators allowed UN by the Maoist youth wing and punish them on charges of vehicles to use the highways without disruption. criminal offence. NHRC said it has received complaints and information that YCL has committed acts of abduction, A road blockade/curfew affected the Duhabi area (on the murder, beating and issuing threats. Biratnagar-Itahari route) in Sunsari district on 21 May, following outbreaks of violence after a local businessman had Chairperson of Nepal Sadbhawana Party-Anandidevi (NSP-A) killed a 13-year old local boy with an axe. Anandidevi Singh has re-appeared in public after having disappeared for about two weeks amidst speculation about an Media reported that a meeting of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti abduction, which she denied. Morcha (JTMM) suspended Nagendra Paswan alias Jwala Singh from the post of chairman and appointed Ranabir Singh Safety and Security as the commander on 17 May 2008. Many of the known armed Terai groups were reported to have held a meeting in Patna of The security situation has deteriorated, and has been affected Bihar, , to explore possibilities for joining forces. by increased incidents and blockades, in particular in the Terai. A series of abductions, extortion threats, robberies were Following a tense situation in Dhangadhi resulting from a clash reported. between locals and the police authorities have imposed a curfew in Dhangadhi of Kailali on 28 May. Three people are A number of bomb blasts in Kathmandu had apparent political reported to have lost their lives in the clash. connotations. On 16 May, a small bomb exploded in front of the Norwegian embassy in Kathmandu, causing no injuries or Reach of the State property damage. The device was a low explosive powder wrapped in a plastic bag ignited by a wick type fuse. On 26 Violent protests and criminal activities continued to target state May, two small IEDs detonated at the BICC‘s gate, and later officials and institutions. In Mahottari, the VDC secretary of another minor IEDs explosion was reported at Bishalnagar, Hariharpur Harinagari was abducted on 16 May by the JTMM Kathmandu, all without causing damages or injuries. Two (Jwala Singh). On 17 May JTMM cadres Kheshraiya VDC persons were injured in a bomb blast at Ratna Park, secretary as well as an assistant, from their residences in Kathmandu on 27 May. Rautahat. On 18 May of JTMM cadres abducted a ranger at The sequence of bomb blasts in several notorious Terai areas Samasi Ranger Post of Shreepur VDC of Mahottari. They were continued and partly intensified. On 13 May, two were injured later released —on condition of obeying the orders of 'Madhes when an unidentified gang detonated a bomb in a shop in Government'.“ Birgunj. Madheshi Mukti Tigers claimed responsibility.

OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 27 /28 May 2008 2

On 19 May cadres of Kirant Janabadi Workers‘ Party bombed WFP, have been requested to avoid visiting the Bhutanese the Chulachuli VDC building in Ilam, after setting all office refugee camps until further notice. documents and furniture to fire. Education The absence of VDC secretaries has reportedly affected administrative procedures for the population in a number of Since 18 May road traffic was obstructed by the students of areas, including Ramechap and Morang districts. Stating that different schools of the country demanding the delivery of the security of local body officials in the rural areas is still textbooks. After roadblocks on 18 May in Chitwan, on 20 May, precarious, the VDC secretaries have been carrying out their parts of Biratnagar remained closed as students and school duties from the District Development Committee (DDC) office teachers staged angry protests demanding immediate supply of at district headquarters. In many VDCs, development budgets textbooks. Despite assurances by the printing centre, protests, have also not been released due to security concerns. blockades and clashes with police continued, including in Chitwan, Makawanpur, Palpa, Siraha and Nawalparasi Operational Space and Humanitarian Access districts.

On 14 May, two youths on a bicycle reportedly exploded what Following these events and due to the continued lack of appeared to have been an IED near the main entrance of the textbooks, the Ministry of Education decided to close UNFPA compound in , , without causing government schools from 27 May to 10 June. The Ministry any damage or injury. No one has claimed responsibility for the explained that the printing centre did not print the textbooks explosion so far. on time this year as its printers were busy with the ballot papers for the CA election for almost a month. On 21 May, an unidentified group threw stones at an IOM vehicle near Mangalbare, Morang, (between Damak and Food security Sanischare Refugee Camp), breaking the main screen of the vehicle. The movement of UN vehicles to the refugee camps is In view of the increasingly critical food situation in some restricted to essential movements only. remote areas, the PM has promised additional food supplies to a delegation of political leaders, parliamentarians and civil HUMANITARIAN SITUATION society leaders from the Karnali zone.

Protection The remote hilly district of Bajhang has reportedly been affected under food shortages, which are said to be more acute The National Human Rights Commission was quoted as stating in Naubis, Sami, and Talkotkanda. The Nepal Food on 22 May that the government had not implemented 75 per Corporation‘s (NFC) depot said it does not have enough food cent of its directives and recommendations, which had called stock as traders have hoarded the stock for the rainy season. In for the protection of human rights. The NHRC has so far issued Kalikot, around 35,000 people of Kin, Thirpu, Nanikot, 117 directives to several authorities, including the PM‘s Office, Badalkot, Ramnakot and Dhaulagoha reportedly face severe the Home Ministry, Nepali Army, Nepal Police and the Armed food shortages due to persistent drought since last year which Police Force. However, the authorities are yet to implement 111 affected the crops. Reportedly, the NFC requested the central directives concerning payment of compensation to victims and office for additional food supplies. Also in Humla, people of punishment for culprits. According to figures released by the Khapurnath, Dandafaya, Srinagar and Saya are said to be hard NHRC, security forces, CPN-M and other criminal gangs killed hit by the long drought, with the shortages exacerbated as NFC 256 persons between mid-April 2007 and 2008. depot is already out of stock, according to local media reports.

Refugees and IDPs WFP is providing food assistance to nearly 450,000 food insecure people in Mid- and Far Western regions through About 500 Tibetans including many women demonstrated in ongoing drought and livelihood recovery activities. Food Kathmandu on 16 May Friday far from their usual site of distributions have been hampered by delays in procurement protest until police stopped them. Police at first tried to detain and transportation because of weather and the ongoing food some of them, but after scuffles lasting several minutes, the and fuel crisis in Nepal. protesters returned to their refugee camp in Ekantakuna, Patan. The Nepal Tibetan Solidarity Forum, an organization of Increased shortages of petroleum, and LP cooking gas is exiled Tibetans, has called on all protesting Tibetans to refrain causing much difficulty in urban areas, but also affects from staging anti-China protests for the time being in order to transport across the country, in particular to remote areas. mourn the earthquake victims in China. Further cut backs in the supply of petroleum products are likely. The Government has given conflicting signals as to The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN whether the price of petroleum products would be raised, and Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN World Food Programme how long it would be able to bail out the state-owned Nepali Oil (WFP) condemned a second attack on an IOM bus on 21 May Corporation (NOC), which is the sole importer of petrol from 2008, near Sanischare refugee camp in Morang, following a India. On 18 May Finance Minister Mahat said that fuel prices first attack was on 5 May, near the Khudunabari refugee camp, would not be revised, but that the government also cannot which injured the IOM driver and two refugees. extend more loans to the NOC for the time being.

IOM, UNHCR and WFP are deeply concerned as such incidents On 22 May, the NOC said that the selling and distribution of are an attack on the international community and call upon all petroleum products would come to a halt if the government concerned parties to immediately stop such violence. The failed to take immediate measures to import fuel, adding that it agencies emphasized that any further deterioration of the would run out of the existing stockpile within a week. A fresh security situation could have a negative impact on their ability Rs 1 billion government loan extended the deadline to about to deliver humanitarian assistance to the refugees in the mid-June. Meanwhile, the Nepal Petroleum Products Dealers camps. All agencies, with the exception of IOM, UNHCR and Association has stated that it will launch an indefinite strike, stopping to transport or distribute petroleum products from 28

OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 27 /28 May 2008 3

May if the government failed to resume the smooth supply of The only pontoon bridge between island and the mainland is petroleum products before the deadline of 27 May. expected to be removed in the coming days until after the monsoon, due to rising waters in the Karnali River. A public In a more positive development, the Nepal Electricity Authority ferry is yet to be contracted; hence a diesel boat will be used to (NEA) has reduced the load-shedding (power cuts) hours to transport the locals and supplies to the island. only nine hours a week effective from 26 May. An earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale was recorded on 21 May at 0055 hrs with its epicentre around Chiyandanda of Baglung district.

Health

Health posts and sub-health posts in Sindhuli district have identified more than five dozen Malaria patients. Out of 65 patients with malaria, 13 are infected with plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal variety of the disease.

Three people have died and more than a dozen are critically ill due to an outbreak of diarrhoea in Sappata, Bajura. There is a high chance of diarrhoea outbreak spreading to adjoining villages.

Avian Influenza Kala-azar patients being treated in Sarlahi. Photo: OCHA. On 15 May police in Inaruwa, Sunsari, destroyed 50 crates of Shelter, reconstruction eggs illegally imported from India on the suspicion of bird flu contamination. Police had also seized 175 broiler chickens and Relief and reconstruction organisations continue to experience buried them earlier. Veterinary doctors of 19 May declared 11 varying degrees of impacts on their activities due increased areas in Jhapa as bird flu prone zones after reports of bird flu material costs or lack of availability of products and raw case in Baghdogra of India, 10 km from the border. materials on the local market. Products whose price increased recently include cement (30 per cent), steel rods, iron (up to 40 COORDINATION per cent increase), corrugated iron/tin sheeting, timber, fittings, tools and other non-food items. Mid-Year Review of the Common Appeal for 2008

Flood and disaster preparedness The Nepal Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), along

with select donors, is reviewing the strategic priorities, Pre-monsoon Disaster Relief Committee meetings are being humanitarian needs and response plans for the remainder of held in a number of Terai districts, including (until 27 May) in 2008. Based on feedback from the humanitarian community, Parsa, Bara, Rautahat, Mahottari, Dhanusha and Dhangadhi. the review document will be ready by mid-June for global Upcoming meetings are scheduled in Morang and Jhapa for 30 dissemination purposes. May, Siraha 1 June, Sarlahi 3 June, and Saptari 11 June. A date has yet to be fixed for Sunsari. UPCOMING EVENTS OCHA is supporting the preparedness activities by the District Disaster Relief Committees (DDRCs) through coordination and - Humanitarian Reform and cluster consultation, 29 May at advocacy, provision of maps and collecting information. WFP 1000, UN Conference room is providing food assistance to nearly 110,000 food insecure - Mid-Year Review Strategic Planning and Donor people in the Terai who are engaged in food for work activities Consultation: 30 May, Dwarika‘s Hotel, Kathmandu aimed at improving livelihoods and reducing the impacts of - Eastern Region Contact Group meeting: 5 June at 1300, potential monsoon flooding this year. OCHA Biratnagar office - UNCT Pandemic Influenza Simulation, 11 June 2008 A recent OCHA mission found inadequate flood preparedness - Central Terai Contact Group, 12 June, location TBD in the ”Rajapur Delta‘, an island formed by the Karnali River in - IASC meeting (tent.), 19 June Bardiya, a small part of which lies on Indian territory. The island‘s 11 VDCs have an estimated population of 80-90,000.

Disclaimer: The information in this report is consolidated from media, UN, NGO, and other humanitarian partners, subject to availability of data. Although OCHA aims to confirm reports independently, occasional factual inaccuracies can occur. For inputs, questions or comments please contact: Marcus Brand, Humanitarian Affairs Analyst on ph. 98418 29420, [email protected]

Wendy Cue, Head of Office OCHA Nepal Tel. +977 (1) 559-2311 [email protected] Visit the Nepal Information Platform at http://www.un.org.np

OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 27 /28 May 2008 4