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Home , Banke District, Bardiya District, Ilam District, Jhapa District, Khotang district, Morang District

F OCHA Situation Overview

Issue No. 19, covering the period 09 November -31 December 2007 , 31 December 2007

Highlights:

• Consultations between the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) breaks political deadlock • based Legislators pull out of government, Parliament • Political re-alignment in Terai underway • Security concerns in the Terai persist with new reports of extortion, threats and abductions • CPN-Maoist steps up extortion drive countrywide • The second phase of registration of CPN-Maoist combatants completed • Resignations by VDC Secretaries continue to affect the ‘reach of state’ • Humanitarian and Development actors continue to face access challenges • Displacements reported in Eastern Nepal • IASC 2008 Appeal completed

CONTEXT Constituent Assembly. Consensus also started to emerge on the issue of electoral system to be used during the CA election. Politics and Major Developments On 19 November, the winter session of Interim parliament met Consultations were finalized on 23 December when the Seven but adjourned to 29 November to give time for more Party Alliance signed a 23-point agreement. The agreement negotiations and consensus on constitutional and political provided for the declaration of a republic subject to issues. implementation by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly, a mixed electoral system with 60% of the members Citing failure of the government to address issues affecting of the CA to be elected through proportional system and 40% their community, four members of parliament from the through first-past-the-post system, and an increase in number Madhesi Community, including a cabinet minister affiliated of seats in the Constituent Assembly (CA) from the current 497 with different political parties resigned from their positions. to 601 members. Moreover, it was decided that several Further, five more central leaders, members of Nepali committees for the implementation of previous agreements Congress, CPM-UML and Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP- would be formed within a month and that the CA election Anandidevi) also resigned from their respective parties. The would be held before mid-April 2008. The CPN-Maoist would politicians stated that they would soon form a Madhesi rejoin the interim government with immediate effect. The regional , a move that was widely welcomed by agreement further vested all the executive powers on the Prime other groups operating in the Terai. During the same period, Minister and asked the PM to act as head of state until the Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum (MPRF) leaders issued threats implementation of the republican declaration. The Interim to the government that the MPRF would launch fresh protest Constitution will likely be amended to reflect the points programmes by 30 December unless the government reached in this agreement. implements the 22 point accord it had signed earlier with the MPRF. The second phase of registration and verification of CPN- Maoist combatants at the remaining cantonment sites were During the reporting period, political forces continued to completed. According to the Agreement on Monitoring of the merge and create new fronts, especially in the Terai region. Management of Arms and Armies (AMMAA), the combatants Notable among these developments was the emergence of identified as minors or post 26 May 2006 recruits through the youths of Madhesh Raksha Bahini affiliated to Nepal verification process will be discharged. Sadhbhavana Party (Mahato) who marched in uniform in the main market areas of Birgunj in as well as Conflict and Security in during the re-launch of the youth Bombings, killings, abductions, demand for ransom and other movement under the leadership of . Political forms of threats aimed at political opponents and other persons alignment between NSP (Mahato) and MPRF (Yadav) also continued to be reported. On 20 December, two people were continued to take shape during the reporting period. This reportedly shot dead in . JTMM (Jwala Singh) alignment has become known as United Madhesi Front. On 14 claimed responsibility for the killings. On 23 December, JTMM December the Mahato faction of the NSP-A filed an application (Goit) reportedly shot dead a Nepal Bank employee in Parsa with the Election Commission for the registration of a new District. During the reporting period, a number of bomb party under the name of Sadbhavana Party, dropping Nepal explosions targeting police stations and other public places in from the name to distinguish itself from the Anandevi faction. the Eastern region were reported. On 17 November, a group claiming to be from JTMM (Jwala Singh) claimed responsibility The Prime Minister expressed commitment to hold the CA for an explosive devise that targeted a local petrol pump in election by mid April 2008 and to continued consultations with . Similarly on 19 November, unknown the main political parties to reach agreement towards this end. perpetrators threw a jute bomb at the CPN-UML party office in , . On 18 December, Cadres of On 14 December, after considerable inter-party consultations, Madhesi Liberation Tigers attacked a police post at Madar the three main political parties; NC, UML and CPN-Maoist village, district. Three home made bombs were reached a consensus on an amendment of the interim reportedly exploded by the group. Similarly, on 24 December, constitution to specify that the future constitution should be for unidentified people threw two bombs in the premises of Nobel a republic, subject to endorsement by the first sitting of the Medical College, Biratnagar. No casualties were reported in both cases. On 23 December, JTMM (Goit) claimed

OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 19/December 1 responsibility for a bomb that exploded in front of the house of , on 26 November, CPN-Maoist reportedly sent the District Secretary of CPNM-UML in . letters to individuals to donate harvested rice to the party or face consequences. On 14 November, the CPN-Maoist cadres Abductions by different groups also continued to be reported looted the house of a journalist from Ladaura of -1 in across the country. On 13 November, two Banke district. On 4 December, CPN/M cadres surrounded two cadres were reportedly abducted by unidentified persons in police posts in Bardiya District for a whole day to put pressure . On 19 November, JTMM (Jwala Singh) on the authorities to release some four YCL cadres that had claimed responsibility for two abductions of a businessman been previously arrested by police. Between 24 November and and a farmer in Central Region’s Mahottari and Dhanusa 4 December, Tharuwan Republican Movement (TRM), a CPN- districts respectively. In Western Nepal’s Dang District, Young Maoist affiliate marched for 12 days between Dang and Banke Republic Tiger group reportedly abducted two individuals and in Mid Western region so as to pressurize the government to released one on 20 November. In the same district, an adopt a fully proportional electoral system and to declare Nepal unidentified group abducted two people from a Public School a republic. On 24 December, on claims that the local owner had in VDC on 26 November. On 4 December, an been creating artificial shortages and mixing kerosene and unidentified armed group abducted a woman from diesel so as to exploit poor people, YCL Cadres reportedly VDC of Banke District. Following abduction, negotiation and seized over 12,000 litres of kerosene from a petrol pump in subsequent release of two people in Central Region’s Dhanusa Sunsari District and distributed it to locals. During the District on 20 December people from Chandraniganhapur reporting period, despite increase in prices, fuel and petroleum village burnt 12 houses belonging to Dalit families in Lakkad products shortages continued throughout the country. village and reportedly assaulted women in the settlement. According to police sources, 60 people in Lakkad had their On 4 December, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) homes and belongings destroyed and therefore needed released a report on the status of Human Rights since the humanitarian assistance. and a local signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. According to NGO (ASMAN) provided humanitarian assistance to the the report, 101 individuals have been killed in violent incidents affected families. instigated by different groups around the country between 26 February and 16 July this year. The report further added that The government has intensified efforts to improve security, during the period, 15 people were killed and 47 injured by stray especially in the Terai region. On 1 December, the government bomb explosions. set up and deployed 'Special Task Force' (STF) consisting of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) in Kathmandu and Operational Space eight Terai districts namely Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Sarlahi, During the reporting period, different groups, notably Madhesi , Mahottari, Bara and Parsa districts. The STF teams Tigers, as well as CPN-Maoist, continued to interfere with the have intensified search operations and scrutiny of suspicious way development and humanitarian workers operate. Many of individuals in most villages of the named districts and made a the reported operational space interference attributed to CPN- number of arrests of those suspected of involvement in Maoist were linked to the political demands the party desired to criminal activities. On 18 December, in response to the STF be met at the national level. In November, in Central Region’s actions, Madhesi Liberation Tigers, one of the armed groups Ramecchap District, CPN-Maoist forced the local people to operating in the Terai, called three days Bandh (strike) protest against a donor project after the staff refused to give protesting against the deployment of the STF. ‘donation’ as demanded. During the last week of November, CPN-Maoist reportedly asked a donor supported project in Bandhs (Strikes) and blockades called by various groups to stop its activities. In the same month, YCL continued. On 2 December, NSP (Mahato) and MPRF called a came to an INGO central office in Kathmandu with charity strike in that had a crippling impact on the tickets, and asked for contribution as part of their fund life of ordinary citizens before it was called off after 18 days to collection drive. On 14 December, YCL entered a UN compound enable Muslims to celebrate their religious festival Eid Al Adha. in Lalitpur District and took some fuel and a copy of delivery of The strike had been called to pressurise CPN-Maoist to invoice with them. On 17 December, a UN office received withdraw their complaints to the police against 103 MPRF second threat letter asking for resignation of one of its staff in a cadres whom the CPN-Maoist claim were involved in the Gaur hill district and threatened to harm the staff and the UN Massacre earlier in the year. A number of other strikes were programme if their condition was not met. also called by citizens in protest to road accidents across the country. Threats and abductions aimed at principally NGOs operating in the Terai districts continued. An INGO staff and its partners CPN-Maoist stepped up extortion in many districts across the were threatened by MMT to stop operating in the Koshi Tappu country. Stating that they needed resources to support Wildlife reserve area of Eastern Region’s Sunsari District. ‘martyrs’ and their families, to launch an agitation to ensure Similarly, the INGO staff operating in the area were repeatedly the conduct of effective CA polls or to start fresh agitation for asked for ‘donations’ from JTMM (Goit) Cadres. Due to threats meaningful political reforms, including the declaration of and uncertain security situation in southern parts of the Nepal a Republic, the CPN-Maoist, through its affiliate Eastern Terai districts, a number of INGOs operating in the organizations, are reported to have targeted for collection of area were forced to change the mode of programme ‘donations’ all levels of the society ranging from senior implementation or shift their programmes to safer areas. government officials, businessmen and teachers. The amount During the reporting period, a UN staff was relocated from demanded by the CPN-Maoist seems to vary depending on the Saptari District after receiving threats from a Terai based perceived income of the people they were reportedly militant group. An INGO staff was also relocated from Sunsari approaching. In Eastern Region’s , District for similar reasons. CPN-Maoist reportedly looted huge quantities of rice from farmers under threat. The CPN-Maoist cadres reportedly In Mid Western Region’s Rolpa and Rukum districts, CPN- claimed that they would continue targeting farmers until the Maoist compelled development agencies to at least obtain government implements what they called "scientific land ‘verbal’ acceptance from the party leadership before reforms policy." Similarly on 26 November, CPN-Maoist implementing any activities. In Western Region’s Kaski affiliate YCL reportedly looted 4 tons of Paddy and a tractor District, YCL reportedly stopped an INGO from constructing a from an individual in Narinapur village in Banke District. In health facility in Majthana VDC. On 4 November, in reaction to

OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 19/December 2 the protests against NRCS activity and blocking of the offices of On 6 December, on behalf of the Humanitarian Coordinator, the Parsa District Chapter by beneficiaries from the Dalit OCHA, OHCHR and UNHCR met with the Minister for Peace community on claims of bribery in distribution of relief and Reconstruction to follow up IDP issues. The issues put materials to the flood victims, NRCS threatened to stop is forward included a request to the Minister to sign and forward activities in the District. The NRCS District Chapter issued a to the cabinet government directives on IDP policy, suggestions press statement indicating that the protests were launched with on how to increase the capacity of the Ministry at central and ulterior motive of obstructing relief distribution by spreading regional level for better response to IDP issues, incorporating wrongful information that the relief distributed to flood victims the right of IDPs to vote in their current places of displacement, was intended for the Dalits. and preparation of assistance package to IDPs who do not intend to return to their places of origin. Similarly on 4 Reach of the State December, OCHA and WFP met with the Secretary and Joint The ability of the state to deliver basic services continued to be Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs to discuss issues compromised by different groups owing to abductions, threats arising from displacements in Eastern and Western Terai and intimidation. On 9 December, all Village Development regions of the country. On 21 December, the United Nations Committees (VDC) remained closed across the country due to a Humanitarian Coordinator and the Norwegian Refugee Council strike called by VDC Secretaries to protest against the (NRC) issued a joint press release urging the government to Government for failing to provide security from armed and approve Directives on Internally Displaced Persons. unarmed groups extorting, threatening and kidnapping VDC secretaries. The VDC secretaries’ move came after they decided Due to threats, violent attacks and theft by members of the to shut VDC offices every Sunday for a month from 9 December Madhesi Mukti Tigers (an armed opposition group) directed at and also close offices for two days every week. Citing security certain families due to their ethnic origin, 150 were displaced reasons, a number of VDC Secretaries had resigned from their within Eastern Region’s Sunsari District. OCHA office in positions previously. In the Eastern Terai districts alone, 489 Eastern Region facilitated coordination meetings with district VDC Secretaries have reportedly resigned and a number are authorities and other operational UN agencies and the Red currently working from District and regional headquarters. On Cross movement to provide humanitarian assistance to the 12 December, a country wide strike called by Nepal Medical displaced. Media reports further indicated that about 3,000 Association (NMA) to protest against the government’s failure other individuals have been displaced under similar to provide security to medical practitioners and institutions circumstances in the neighbouring . According to disrupted the delivery of normal medical services in both INSEC, the fatal shooting of two people on 18 December by private and government health institutions throughout the Cadres of JTMM (Jwala Singh) have in Kalyanpur VDC have country. triggered fresh fears that might lead to further displacements in Saptari District. During the reporting period, CPN-Maoist is reported to have intensified the reviving of parallel governance structures in Refugees different regions of the country as well as stepping up activities According to UNHCR, on 22 December, nine huts and two that further compromised the ability of the state to deliver schools were gutted down and eight more damaged when a fire basic services. On 24 December, CPN-Maoist leadership on broke out in the Beldangi Refugee camp of . Eastern Region’s is reported to have written UNHCR arranged for the provision of the needed assistance for to all the VDC Secretaries in the District demanding 10% of the refugee families affected by the fire. VDC annual budget. The money is reportedly needed by the CPN-Maoist for the treatment of the ‘war injured’. Similarly, in Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed , CPN-Maoist is reported to have asked all Groups (CAAFAG) livestock farmers to pay specific sums of money to CPN-Maoist During the reporting period, a Mid-Term Review workshop as ‘livestock tax’. In Panchthar and Ilam districts, CPN-Maoist convened by UNICEF brought together 45 people from 15 cadres and Federal State Council (FLSC) have been organizations to assess the reintegration program of Children jointly collecting ‘export tax’ forcefully from local businessmen Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups (CAAFAG). and vehicles moving into and out of the two districts. The Facilitated by independent experts, the three-day meeting CPN-Maoist and FLSC Cadres have established a check post at consolidated achievements, lessons learned, and good Ranke a border point of Panchthar and for the practices identified by social workers who have direct case purpose of collecting the ‘tax’. In Eastern Region’s Solukhumbu management responsibilities and program managers who District, Cadres of CPN-Maoist have reportedly sent a letter to oversee the implementation of the reintegration program. With all government as well as non-government officials in the over 2,000 CAAFAG participating in the UNICEF-funded district asking for an equivalent of one day salary. On 19 program in 26 districts (recently expanded to 34), some of December Contractors in complained that YCL the key recommendations put forward include: increased have prevented them from filing their tender bids for some sensitization on the issue of forced marriage of returned girl construction contracts for the Roads Division Office within the CAAFAG; commitment to long-term reintegration; and district. heightened advocacy by UN and government ministries on CAAFAG issues. Population movement and Protection During the reporting period, UNHCR jointly with other Avian Influenza humanitarian partners conducted IDP orientation sessions in An FAO consultant assessing laboratory surveillance and Salyan, Pyuthan and Bhojpur districts. The Workshops were national capacity reported that from a veterinary perspective, attended by political parties including CPN-Maoist, Police Nepal is at high risk of Avian Influenza infection due to representatives, CDO, the displaced (IDPs) and civil society proximity to infected countries such as Bangladesh. The Terai representatives. Sessions focused on the IDP Guiding region has intensive poultry production and the border areas Principles and the national IDP policy. The Workshops are constitute a ‘sustained threat’. OCHA and the newly appointed aimed at providing participants with a better understanding of UNCT focal point attended the UN System Influenza international norms guiding the return of internally displaced Coordination simulation training on pandemic preparedness. persons and possibly establishing district level government led IDP taskforces to address issues relating to the return and re- integration of IDPs.

OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 19/December 3

COORDINATION

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) finalised the OCHA convened the monthly Disaster management team 2008 Common Appeal for Transition Support. The final field meeting, which agreed to expand membership to include IASC version of the appeal amounts to 98 million US dollars and partners and to develop an IASC contingency plan for Nepal by focuses on humanitarian priorities in nine sectors/thematic the first quarter of 2008. areas – Food Security and Malnutrition, Protection, Children Affected by Armed Conflict, Mine Risk Education, Emergency Due to renovation of the UN conference room, OCHA was Health, IDPs, Refugees, Natural Disaster Preparedness and unable to host the contact group meeting during the reporting Response and Coordination. On 26 December, the United period. The next contact group meeting is tentatively scheduled Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated for Wednesday, 16 January 2008. US$1 million towards the UN World Food Programme’s efforts to provide life-saving food aid and reconstruction support to more than 1.2 million conflict-affected people of Nepal.

The information in this report is consolidated from media, UN, NGO, and other humanitarian partners. This report is subject to availability of data. If you have inputs for the next edition, or questions/comments to the current issue, please contact: Vincent Omuga, Humanitarian Affairs Officer on 9851072870, [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. 19/December 4