F OCHA Nepal Situation Overview
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F OCHA Nepal Situation Overview Issue No. 40, covering the period 16 -31 January 2009 Kathmandu, 1 February 2009 Highlights: • Koshi Displaced Returns and Re-Integration Unit meets to prioritise assistance • District officials facing challenges from groups allied to political parties • UNMIN Mandate extended for 6 months • Government moves swiftly to control Avian Influenza spread as poultry prices decrease by 28% in Kathmandu CONTEXT During this period, the proposed recruitment of 2800 personnel into the Nepal Army (NA) remained controversial. Political situation On 27 January, the Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa On 16 January, a meeting of seven political parties (including was quoted by the media as having warned of serious the five ruling coalition parties, the Nepali Congress (NC) consequences if the state army did not stop the recruitment, and the Terai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) was which he maintained was in defiance of the government's convened. The meeting discussed, among other things, the directives. In later December 2008, the cabinet had directed severe electricity shortages facing the country and a proposal the recruitment, which UNMIN maintains contravenes the that the parties should halt demonstrations and strikes for Comprehensive Peace Agreement, to be suspended. the next six months. An agreement was not reached on stopping protests. Safety and security The Madhesi People Rights Forum (MPRF) held its General Incidents of bomb explosions, strikes/bandhs, extortions and Convention between 17 and 20 January. During the killings continued to be reported, mainly in the Terai Convention, Upendra Yadav (Minister for Foreign Affairs) Districts. On 18 January, a boy was injured when an IED was elected unopposed as its chairperson. A 31-member exploded at Buddha Gumba in Nepalgunj, Banke District. On Central Working Committee was also selected by consensus. 20 January, District Police Office (DPO)- Bardiya recovered On 22 January, at a press conference, the MPRF chairperson over a dozen socket bombs that were left in a house in warned that the MPRF would leave the government and the Dhodhari Village Development Committee (VDC), Bardiya Constituent Assembly (CA) if the core issues of autonomy District. On 25 January, a civilian was killed and three others and the right to self-determination of the Madhesh were not injured when a bomb exploded at the main market of addressed. He also said that the party would try to unite all Katariya, Rautahat District. Similarly, on 26 January, three the Terai-based political parties under one umbrella. IED exploded at Rajbiraj-1, Hatiya and Siraha road in Rajbiraj of Saptari District, seriously injuring one child. On 20 and 21 January, a Central Committee (CC) meeting of ‘Mahan Madhes Janakranti Party’ claimed responsibility for the Unified Communist’ Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) the explosions. On 22 January, an unidentified group of designated three of its senior leaders responsibility for armed men gunned down Bara district chief of Janatantrik security, government, and parliament. The CC also appointed Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-Jwala Singh) in Jhitkaiya party focal points for coordination with other organizations, village near Nepal-India border. A number of armed groups head of the Constitution Drafting Recommendation claimed responsibility for the killing. On 17 January, a CA Committee and relations with other political parties. The CC member Baban Singh was arrested in Birgunj, Parsa District, also agreed to meet on 29 and 30 January to discuss in connection with the killings of two business persons in the Madheshi Issues. town. He was remanded in custody by the District Court for three days and subsequently released pending further On 25 January, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal investigations. "Prachanda" addressed the nation. He said that the government had not been able to meet the expectations of Strikes ( bandhs) and extended power cuts continued to the people due to "old structures, culture and working style". disrupt economic activity and daily life in most districts of He reiterated his earlier call for a new comprehensive Nepal. Protests against the 11 January killing of journalist political understanding in place of the November 2005 12- Umma Singh continued in various parts of the country. On point agreement between the then Seven Party Alliance and 16 January, Terai Madhesh Democratic Party (TMDP) the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M). He further organized anti government sit-in protests in front of District expressed commitments regarding ending impunity, drafting Administration Office (DAO) and at Nepal Electricity a new constitution and integrating CPN-M army combatants Authority (NEA) office in Nepalgunj, Banke District on 20 into the Nepal Army (NA) January. Demanding appropriate food and shelter, landless people obstructed traffic movement along the East-West At the request of the government of Nepal, on 23 January, highway in several locations of Kailali District between 19 the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the United and 21 January. The landless people warned of further Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) for a further six months protests if their demands are not met. On 29 January, the and recommended further downsizing of UNMIN. DAO imposed an indefinite curfew in the district headquarters of Mahottari Jaleshwor and the adjoining areas On 18 January, The Government talks team and the Kirant of Mahottari District following clashes between the police Janawadi Workers’ Party (KJWP) an armed group active in and the members of the Joint Struggle Committee, who have the Eastern Region, agreed on a framework for talks and to since 17 January been protesting against the government’s engage in a further round. KJWP, the fifth armed group to decision to establish Administrative Service Centre in engage in dialogue with the government reportedly agreed to Bardibas. On 29 January, three of the protestors were shot suspend its activities while talks continue. and injured by police after the protesters torched down the OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 40/ 1 February 2009 1 traffic police office of Jaleshwor and vandalized the CPN- employee of Nepal Electricity Authority Kohalpur was shot UML party office and other government offices in Jaleshwor. and serious injured by unidentified persons over claims that As from 30 January, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party he was a Pahadi (hill person). On 18 January, Nepal Student (TMLP) enforced a bandh in Sarlahi District protesting Union (NSU) members of Makwanpur District padlocked against the government’s decision to move the government Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) office, demanding that the offices from Malangawa DHQ and open the United district be declared a power-rationing free district. On 26 Administrative Service Centre in Hariwan of Sarlahi district. January, the media reported that Young Communist League The bandh affects transportation services and closed (YCL) and Pallo Kirant Limbuwan Rastriya Mancha cadres businesses. Similar bandhs were organized for the same attacked a policeman at Panchami Market, Panchthar reasons by TMLP in Parsa, Rautahat and Bara districts. District when he tried to settle a dispute between the two According to the UN Department of Safety and Security, sides. On 19 January, an armed group of about 10 persons, during the reporting period, the strikes increased by 13% reported to be locals of Padampokhari, attacked the Police throughout the country compared to the past period. post located at Padampokhari VDC of Makwanpur district and looted cash, clothing and cell phones. During the attack, Despite continued protests and assurances by the a police constable sustained severe injuries. government, attacks on the media and freedom of expression continued during this period. On 18 January, a woman In an effort to control crime in bordering areas, in addition to journalist affiliated to Kanchanjunga FM, Jhapa District was the increased police presence in other Terai districts, the reportedly threatened with abduction by a cadre of Federal Nepal Police established 10 special police units in five Limbuwan State Council (FLSC) on claims that she districts of Eastern Nepal. The units have been established broadcasted incorrect news about the LFSC. In a similar at Bishnupurkatti, Silruwa-pachhuwari of Siraha District, development, a woman radio journalist in Ilam District was Patthargada and Lodjara of Saptari, Kaptangunj and reportedly threatened by another Limbuwan group for Basantapur of Sunsari, Damak and Birtamod of Jhapa and having reported on their “tax” collection activities along the Dobhana and Pathri of Morang District and would deal with Mechi Highway. On 26 January, Janatantrik Terai Mukti criminal activities and also provide security to ongoing Morcha (JTMM- Rajan Mukti) threatened to kill Kantipur development and reconstruction projects. correspondent of Rajbiraj, Saptari District, on claims of publishing false news regarding a clash between the local On 21 January, the Tharuhat Autonomous State Council businessmen and the group members. On 22 January, a (TASC) in Kailali District directed all local stakeholders to group of masked men threatened journalists of Nepal Weekly stop paying taxes to the government, the contracts on water and Nepal Samacharpatra at their residence in Kathmandu. resource and land, stating the natural resources are the rights of the indigenous people. The TASC further asked the Clashes between youth groups affiliated