07 NEP 1 - 07-01-21 Lahan
Laboratoiredesfrondeurs.org
Distance à vol d’oiseau Birganj – Katmandou ≈ 100 km.
Distance à vol d’oiseau Inarva – Lahan ≈ 50 km.
Distance Rangeli – Biratnagar ≈ 25 km.
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Student dies as Maoist cadre opens fire, curfew clamped in Lahan
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 19 - Siraha Distric Administration has clamped a curfew from 6pm Friday to 4am Saturday in Lahan and the surrounding regions.
The entire locality grew tense following the death of a student during a scuffle between Maoist cadres and Forum for Madhesi People's Rights.
A 16-year-old student Ramesh Kumar Mahato of Majhaura, Siraha died when he was shot by the Maoist cadres on Friday at Lahan Chowk.
The Maoist cadres opened fire following an argument between them and the forum activists killing Mahato. The forum activists were staging a demonstration at Lahan Chowk when Maoist cadres who came in two minibuses and a jeep accosted the demonstrators just before one of the Maoist cadres opened fire.
Following Mahato's death, a group of angry locals attacked the Maoist cadres. Shiyaram Mahato who opened fire was seriously injured in the attack. The agitated locals also burnt two trucks and eight other vehicles.
The forum activists had been staging demonstrations since the morning protesting against the arrest of their president Upendra Yadav.
Police later fired several blank rounds to control the situation and have detained two Maoist cadres.
According to our correspondent Bharat Jargha Magar, the local administration has clamped a 10 hour curfew in the Lahan region beginning at six this evening. "CDO Shashi Shekhar Shrestha said that a curfew order has been issued from 6 this evening to 4 am tomorrow to bring the situation in the region under control," said our correspondent.
Despite the curfew, irked locals kept on staging demonstrations in several thoroughfares in the city, informed our correspondent.
Posted on: 2007-01-19 08:35:10 (Server Time)
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All party meet to resolve situation in Lahan
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 20 - An all-party meet is being organised in Lahan on Saturday in a bid to bring the area back to normalcy in the wake of yesterday's Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF)-Maoists scuffle in which a sixteen year-old was killed.
CPN-Maoist central committee members Matrika Yadav, MP Ram Chandra Yadav have also arrived at Lahan for the meeting.
Today's meeting was delayed after some of the leaders did not arrive on time at area police office Lahan where the meeting is set to take place, sources said.
Chief District Officer (CDO), Saptarai, Shashi Shekhar Shrestha said that the meeting had been called so as to prevent the situation from getting out of hand.
Shrestha also expressed his optimism that the talks would be fruitful and bring positive outcomes. Siraha Distric Administration yesterday had clamped a curfew from 6pm Friday to 4am in Lahan and the surrounding regions after the entire locality grew tense following the death of a student during a scuffle between Maoist cadres and MPRF.
16-year-old Ramesh Kumar Mahato of Majhaura, Siraha had died when he was shot by Maoist cadres Siya Ram Thakur on Friday at Lahan Chowk.
Yesterday, while the MPRF members were protesting against the arrest of leaders in Kathmandu, the forum members had obstructed a Maoist vehicle in Lahan, causing altercation between two parties.
Soon after, the situation in Lahan seemed almost out of control, with the enraged MPRF members beating up the Maoist cadres.
Meanwhile, the MPRF members today staged a demonstration, demanding proper compensation to the family of the deceased.
Civil society, Political parties and Human rights activists in Lahan are also organising a goodwill rally this afternoon to appeal to everyone to exercise restraint.
According to Civil Society Lahan, the rally is being organised so as to urge everyone to maintain peace and order in the locality.
The irate MPRF members last night torched two jeeps in the Internal Revenue office, Lahan in addition to vandalising Maoist Liaison Office.
Siya Ram Thakur has been taken to Dharan for treatment after they were heavily injured by the MPRF members, the police said.
Posted on: 2007-01-20 02:23:39 (Server Time)
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MPRF to continue protests
By Bikash Bhandari
KATHMANDU, Jan 21 - Vice chairman of Madhesi People’s Rights Forum (MPRF), which has been carrying out violent activities in south-eastern Nepal, has said that it would continue with its protest until their demands were fulfilled.
Addressing a press conference at the Reporters’ Club in Kathmandu, vice-chairman of the MPRF, Kishor Kumar Bishwas said that the agitation staged in several parts of southeast Nepal including Lahan, would not stop unless the government meets the forum’s demands.
“Maoist Chairman Prachanda and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala should apologize before the people of the Terai regions,” said Bishwas, adding, “The home minister should resign for failing to maintain law and order in the country.” Siraha District Administration on Sunday clamped a 15-hour curfew in Lahan and surrounding areas for the third consecutive day to foil any further violence that flared up after a teenager was shot to death by a Maoist cadre following a dispute in the town on Friday.
Following the death of the 16-year-old student, the Lahan region has remained tense.
More than one and a half dozen government office buildings were vandalized and torched by the activists of the MPRF this morning.
The MPRF has been protesting against the recently promulgated Interim Constitution saying that the statute had not addressed their demands which include, among others, a proportional electoral system at the constituent assembly elections.
Posted on: 2007-01-21 07:49:58 (Server Time)
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Two killed in fresh Lahan unrest, curfew imposed again
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 22 - The relative calm in unrest-torn Lahan Monday morning proved short-lived when tensions soared in the afternoon after two people were killed in fresh clashes between police and protestors.
According to sources, a ninth grader, 15-year old Pramod Sada of Lahan-4, Mirzapur, and another Bijaya Kumar Sahani were killed in the incident.
The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) claims that the two were killed when the police opened fire on thousands of demonstrators when they descended on the unit police station in Lahan.
Meanwhile, talking to ekantipur over the phone, Chief District Officer Shashi Shekhar Shrestha said that the police had opened fire in self –defense.
At least four dozen protestors and more than 50 police officers were injured during the scuffle between the two.
Likewise, the condition of three of the injured protestors has been reported critical and are currently undergoing treatment at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Services in Dharan.
Meanwhile, following fresh violence, the Siraha District Administration today clamped a 12- hour curfew order.
CDO Shrestha said that a new curfew order, effective from 4pm today till 4am tomorrow has been issued.
In face of yesterday's tension, the local administration had called for a 15-hour curfew yesterday. The police, meanwhile, said that they had to resort to firing weapons after the MJF members in large numbers began pelting stones at them and vandalizing the police office.
The Armed Police Force has taken the body under its control which, according to eyewitnesses, crumpled to the floor after being shot.
Meanwhile, a meeting of eight parties, including the CPN (Maoist) today decided to investigate and provide compensation to the family of a teenager killed in Lahan last weekend.
A 16-year-old student, Ramesh Kumar Mahato was killed during a scuffle between the Maoists and the activists of Madhesi People's Rights Forum on Friday.
The leaders reached the decision at the meeting held at the prime minister's residence in Baluwatar this morning.
A joint statement issued by the top leaders of the eight parties said that a high-level commission will be set up to investigate the incident that resulted in the unrest in the southeastern town over the past three days.
Meanwhile, the CPN-Maoist today said that the party was saddened by the unrest and would issue a separate statement on the incident.
Today's meeting also called on all not to organize any strikes and bandas in the future that would disrupt the scheduled holding of the Constituent Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, after a joint meeting earlier today, the local leaders of the seven parties appealed to everyone to exercise restraint and find a solution through talks. Similarly, in the capital, 37 MPs representing the Terai region have issued a joint statement requesting the government to find a peaceful solution to the problem in hand and demanding an impartial investigation of the incident.
Although not officially declared by any party, Siraha continues in a state of banda for the fourth consecutive day. Because of the strike, the civil servants and students living as tenants in the district are facing problems like scarcity of basic household stuff, including food.
In Rajbiraj, Saptari, the youths affiliated to the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum gheraoed the District Administration Office and held up the officials inside the office building.
Likewise, an indefinite strike has been called in Saptari by the forum as a protest against the Lahan incident. Banda called in Jaleshwore Bazaar of Mahotatri district by the forum activists affected normal life in the region.
Posted on: 2007-01-22 04:21:11 (Server Time)
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2 more Lahan clash victims die, death toll reaches 4
Kantipur Report
LAHAN, Jan 23 - Two more people who were shot during yesterday's clash between police and the demonstrators in Lahan have succumbed to their injuries on Tuesday.
According to sources, the two have been identified as Bechen Yadav, 32 and Mohammad Modakshin, 18.
Both of them were brought to Kathmandu in a military helicopter for treatment.
Yadav died at the Tribhuwan International Airport while Modakshin was pronounced dead at Chhauni hospital at 4 in the morning today, according to Military spokesperson Ananta Bahadur Thebe.
15-year old Pramod Sada of Lahan-4, Mirzapur, and Bijaya Kumar Sahani, had died yesterday after being shot in the clash between the police and the members of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) in the Area Police station, Lahan
Almost 4 dozen forum members were wounded in the incident while the condition of 5 among the 15 others brought to the capital for treatment remains critical.
Meanwhile, the condition of three of the injured protestors being treated at the Chhauni Military Hospital and a police personnel and another Armed Police Force (APF) personnel, currently being treated at Police Hospital in Maharajgunj has been deemed critical, according to the Police spokesperson Kiran Gautam.
Likewise, the names of nine people injured in the Lahan incident have been publicised in a statement issued by the Nepal Army Liaison office today.
Manoj Kumar shah, 28, Apur Gupta, 24, Nandan Kumar Khetan, 21, Sheikh Zumaladdin, 31 and Manoj Kumar Shah, 13 are being treated in the Chhauni hospital, along with 27-year-old Kishan Shah, 28-year-old Mohammad Bablu, 40-year-old Bishudev Raya and 18-year-old Mohammad Ghumtaz according to the statement.
According to the NA Liason office, the bodies of the deceased will be handed over to the respective family members immediately in the presence of police personnels.
Curfew extended The Siraha District Administration Office today extended the curfew in Lahan from 7 am to 7 pm in addition to clamping curfew in Siraha bazaar, the district headquarters of Siraha district, from 8 am to 6 pm today in a bid to contain the rising violence. The protestor's have started demonstration even before the curfew time. A 16-year-old student, Ramesh Kumar Mahato, was killed during a scuffle between the Maoists and the activists of Madhesi People's Rights Forum on Friday after which the district administration office in Lahan has been issuing one curfew order after another in a bid to bring down growing tension there. Meanwhile, the government has formed a high level probe committee to investigate the Lahan incident. The council of ministers has formed a three member probe committee under the coordination of justice, Janardan Bahadur Khadka, of Patan appellate court. Similarly the eight party's meeting held yesterday has been preparing to send its mission including leaders and MPs of all the eight party, especially from Terai region. But the decision has not been finalised yet. Posted on: 2007-01-23 02:23:06 (Server Time)
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?storyid=2007-01- 23T125835Z_01_B920313_RTRUKOC_0_UK-NEPAL- UNREST.xml&type=worldNews&WTmodLoc=World-C3-More-6
Curfew in Nepal towns as turmoil clouds peace deal Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:59 PM GMT
By Gopal Sharma
KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Hundreds of riot police patrolled two southeastern Nepal towns on Tuesday, imposing a day curfew after violent anti-government protests by ethnic Madhesis which have clouded a peace process ending a decade of civil war.
Four people were killed and dozens wounded in Monday's clashes between police and protesters from the Terai plain who say they have been sidelined by the peace deal that brought former Maoist rebels into the political mainstream.
The latest violence in the town of Lahan, 125 km (80 miles) southeast of the capital, Kathmandu, was the worst since the November peace deal ended a decade of killings, abductions and disappearances that had left 13,000 people dead.
Local television showed Lahan's deserted streets with the charred remains of buses torched by protesters at the weekend.
The government held an emergency meeting on Tuesday and called for talks with political groups involved in the conflict, including the Madhesi People's Rights Forum that organised the protests.
The forum says the peace deal offers little for people living in the Terai region, the bread basket of impoverished Nepal where about half of the country's 26 million people live..
"We believe all problems can be resolved through dialogue. That is the right way," cabinet spokesman Dilendra Prasad Badu said after Tuesday's emergency session.
"REGIONAL AUTONOMY"
The Terai is a narrow strip of fertile flat land. Its Madhesi inhabitants share closer cultural links with neighbouring India than with Nepalis in the Himalayan mountains of the north.
"We want a federal structure of government and regional autonomy for Terai ... We want elimination of discriminations against the people of Terai including racial, lingual, cultural and economic," group president Upendra Yadav told Reuters. The November deal was not in immediate danger, analysts said, but the violence could slow down what was in the past month a fast-moving peace process. The Maoists have joined an interim parliament and started to lock up their weapons.
In a boost for international support for the peace deal, the U.N. Security Council agreed on Monday to a new mission in Nepal expected to include 186 military personnel to help monitor disarmament of the Maoists.
The United Nations wants to ensure the army stays in barracks in the run up to planned June elections for an assembly to prepare a new constitution and decide the future of the monarchy, which the Maoists want abolished.
"This violence will not derail the peace process," said Lok Raj Baral, chief of the Nepal Centre for Strategic Studies, a private think tank.
PEACE AFFECTED?
"But continued trouble will only make the people disillusioned and adversely affect the peace process," he said, adding that the protests could pressure the multiparty government to consider a federal structure of government.
In a bid to quash any spread of unrest, authorities extended the curfew in Lahan on Tuesday to the neighbouring town of Siraha.
Lahan has been in turmoil since a Maoist activist fired at protesters from the Madhesi community last week and a 16-year-old boy was killed.
On Monday, hundreds of Madhesi protesters tried to storm a police station in Lahan, prompting police to fire at the crowd in self-defence, officials said.
The government and Maoists say forces opposed to the peace deal were conspiring to create the unrest to sabotage the assembly vote.
Nepal was plunged into political turmoil in early 2005 when King Gyanendra dismissed the government and took absolute power. He backed down last year after mass street protests organised by political parties and supported by the Maoists.
http://actualidad.terra.es/nacional/articulo/se_policia_elevan_muertos_disparos_1344165.htm nepal-disturbios 23-01-2007
Se elevan a cuatro los muertos por disparos de Policía durante manifestación
Los muertos por disparos de la policía durante una manifestación anoche en el sur de Nepal se han elevado a cuatro, después de que dos de los catorce heridos fallecieran en un hospital de Katmandú, informaron a Efe fuentes oficiales.
Dos de los manifestantes perdieron la vida en el lugar de los hechos, mientras que 'otros dos murieron en un hospital del Ejército en Katmandú, a donde fueron trasladados para recibir tratamiento por las heridas de bala', señaló el portavoz de la Policía Kiran Gautam.
El suceso ocurrió ayer, lunes, cuando las fuerzas del orden abrieron fuego contra una manifestación en Lahan, a unos 250 kilómetros al sudeste de Katmandú, convocada en protesta por la muerte de un adolescente el pasado viernes a manos de un dirigente maoísta.
'Los manifestantes dispararon a la Policía y dos agentes resultaron con heridas de bala', agregó el portavoz, que aseguró que 'la Policía no tuvo más opción que disparar en defensa propia'.
En los enfrentamientos resultaron heridas otras doce personas, de las que cinco se encuentran graves, según Gautam.
La tensión reina en la localidad de Lahan desde el pasado viernes, cuando militantes maoístas y activistas de un grupo regional que reclama derechos para los habitantes del sur del país protagonizaron violentos enfrentamientos, con el resultado de un joven muerto por los disparos de un maoísta.
A raíz de aquellos disturbios se impuso el toque de queda, que hoy se extendió a la vecina localidad de Siraha.
En medio de esta situación, el pasado domingo activistas del grupo regional, llamado Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, atacaron e incendiaron una docena de oficinas del Gobierno en Lahan.
En virtud del acuerdo de paz suscrito en noviembre los rebeldes maoístas comenzaron a depositar sus armas en almacenes bajo supervisión de la ONU la semana pasada, pero el proceso de registro todavía no se ha completado.
Según los maoístas, cuya representación en Katmandú ha negado cualquier relación con los sucesos de Lahan, estos enfrentamientos son parte de una 'conspiración reaccionaria' contra ellos.
El Gobierno nepalí ha creado una comisión para investigar los sucesos y ha anunciado una compensación de unos 15.000 dólares (unos 11.600 euros) para los familiares del joven asesinado el viernes.
Terra Actualidad – EFE http://actualidad.terra.es/internacional/articulo/reforzada_lahan_seguridad_localidad_enfrentamientos_1344473. htm nepal 23-01-2007
Reforzada la seguridad en la localidad de Lahan tras los enfrentamientos de ayer que dejaron cuatro muertos
KATMANDU, 23 (EP/AP)
La Policía se desplegó hoy en la convulsa localidad nepalesa de Lahan, para reforzar al destacamento local que ayer disparó contra cientos de manifestantes matando a cuatro de ellos. Además, se impuso el toque de queda tres horas después del amanecer.
Los agentes abrieron fuego ayer contra cientos de manifestantes cuando intentaron irrumpir en una comisaría, según Sashi Shrestha, administrador jefe del distrito de Siraha, 250 kilómetros al sureste de Katmandú. Dos personas murieron en el acto mientras que una tercera falleció en el hospital.
Una cuarta persona falleció hoy en el hospital militar en Katmandú, según el general de brigada Ananta Bahadur Thebe, portavoz del Ejército. Además, una docena de heridos fueron trasladados en helicóptero militar anoche al hospital. Algunos medios locales hablan ya incluso de un quinto muerto.
Estas muertes son los últimos actos de violencia en el sur del país que podrían perturbar el proceso de paz que busca poner fin a la insurgencia maoísta. La población de las llanuras se queja desde hace tiempo de discriminación por los habitantes de las montañas, afirmando que se les ha dejado al margen del desarrollo y de las decisiones políticas.
Algunos activistas en las llanuras han encabezado una serie de protestas reivindicando que los habitantes locales están siendo marginados mientras los maoístas entran en la escena política. En virtud del acuerdo de paz, los rebeldes han entrado en el Parlamento interino y sus combatientes han comenzado a entregar sus armas a la ONU, dejando atrás una década de sangrienta insurgencia.
Las protestas en Lahan buscaban condenar la muerte de un estudiante durante una huelga la semana pasada. La muerte provocó protestas que llevaron a quemar varios vehículos y edificios gubernamentales durante el fin de semana.
Terra Actualidad – EFE
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Situation in Terai worsens, curfew imposed in four districts
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 25 - Despite the Madhesi People's Rights Forum's (MPRF) commitment for dialogue with the government after an appeal by the prime minister, the situation across various parts of the Terai region worsened on Thursday.
The local administrations in Siraha, Janakpur, Birgunj and Biratnagar today imposed curfews to prevent any untoward incidents in the wake of increasing unrest across the region.
Welcoming Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's appeal for talks, the MPRF in a statement issued today had said that it considers the appeal a positive step but would continue with "non-violence and peaceful protests."
The local administrations clamped curfews after the MPRF activists began to vandalize public properties. According to our Siraha correspondent Bharat Jarghamagar, security has been beefed up in Lahan bazaar, where an 11-hour curfew has been imposed from 7 am to 6 pm today. However, defying the curfew orders, the MPRF took to the streets this morning.
Chief District Office Shashi Shekhar Shrestha said that the curfew would be relaxed once the situation in the area improves.
Meanwhile, the MPRF activists vandalized the vehicle of assistant chief district officer of Sunsari, Mohan Prasad Sharma, who was returning to his residence from his office this morning. The activists also attempted to torch his vehicle.
The activists padlocked at least a dozen government offices today.
Police opened blank fires to disperse the agitated mob, our correspondent said.
In Birgunj, the administration has imposed a curfew from 1:30 pm to 10 pm.
Our correspondent Sujit Mahat said minor scuffle erupted between the MPRF activists and police in Birgunj this afternoon.
The activists vandalized several hotels, shops, government offices and public houses from Ghantaghar to Revenue Office in the town today.
Four MPRF activists and a policeman were injured during the scuffle.
The forum has been launching various protest programmes in the area for the past few weeks, Mahat said.
The MPRF activists have carried out their activities that are against the forum's president's statement.
Four people have already died in the growing unrest in Lahan.
A 16-year-old student, Ramesh Kumar Mahato was killed during a scuffle between the Maoists and the activists of MPRF last weekend after which the district administration office has been issuing one curfew order after another in a bid to bring down growing tension.
The government had officially invited the agitating MPRF for table talks to defuse the growing tension at Lahan in Siraha district on Wednesday.
In a tea party hosted by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala yesterday, the PM had iterated that dialogue can resolve the unrest in the Terai region.
In Biratnagar, our correspondent Bhim Ghimire said the district administration has clamped a six-hour curfew (from 4 pm-10pm).
A large number of police personnel have been deployed in the town but the activists have continued to stage protest demonstrations.
The forum's call for indefinite banda has disrupted life in Bara, Biratnagar as well. Janakpur worst hit
At least two dozen demonstrators were injured, four seriously, when riot police opened fire as protesters and policemen faced off during a MPRF demonstration in Janakpur.
The MPRF, along with its students’ wing, Nepal Sadbhawana Party, among other Madhesi organizations, took out the rally defying the curfew order and protesting the Lahan incident, according to our correspondent Shyam Sundar Shashi.
The protesters vandalized three government offices and a local hotel while torching three vehicles.
The local administration announced the curfew order from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. taking into account the degrading security situation.
Police fired dozens of rounds of teargas shells and fired into the air to contain the violent demonstration.
While chanting slogans against Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist Chairman Prachanda, the demonstrators also demanded the resignation of Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula.
Some of the activists, who supported the king in the past, were also involved in the incident, our correspondent said.
Posted on: 2007-01-25 06:28:33 (Server Time)
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Day curfew clamped in five cities, fresh protests underway
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 26 - The district administration offices in eastern Terai districts issued fresh curfew orders in Janakpur, Lahan, Birgunj, Biratnagar and Rautahat on Friday in a bid to prevent any further untoward incidents amidst increasing unrest across the region due to the ongoing Madhesi People's Rights Forum's (MPRF) agitation.
Rautahat's Gaur remained tense today with the district administration issuing a curfew order effective from 2 pm to 4 pm today.
Forum cadres today vandalized the District Court, Maoist office, Madheshi Mukti Morcha office, UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal's Gaur home, and BP Koirala's statue in Gaur.
Although the Forum has said that it wasn't responsible for despoiling the Congress Leader's statue, an emergency meeting of the Nepali Congress is currently underway regarding the incident. Protestors today shut down gaur bazaar in addition to locking out over half a dozen government offices including those of Irrigation, the DAO, District Development Office, Agriculture, Post office and the Elections office sources said.
The forum members also vandalized the Maoist office and beat up the Maoist cadres therein.
The District Administration Office (DAO), Dhanusha today imposed another 10-hour curfew in Janakpur effective from 7 in the morning till 5 in the evening.
At least two dozen demonstrators were injured, four seriously, when riot police opened fire as protesters and policemen faced off during a MPRF demonstration in Janakpur yesterday.
According to sources, protestors took to the streets at Bidari Chowk, Ramananda Chowk, Machha bazaar in Janakpur in defiance of the curfew order since early this morning.
Police opened blank fire to contain the violent demonstration, sources said.
Meanwhile, DAO (Siraha) today relaxed the clampdown, bringing down the curfew hours to only 6 today, effective from 11am to 5pm.
Yesterday, Lahan saw the DAO clamp an 11-hour curfew order in the southeastern town which is the epicenter of the recent flurry of Terai unrest.
According to Siraha DAO Shashi Shekhar Shrestha, the curfew orders would be gradually relaxed in the coming days.
Although the tension in Lahan appears to have gone down a notch, with virtually all transport and ships, normal life, however, remains crippled there, sources said.
Likewise, DAO (Morang) today also clamped curfew in Biratnagar from 8 am to 6 pm stating that the area was becoming "riot-prone".
Due to the curfew, an eight party goodwill rally slated for today has been called off.
Earlier today, police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to contain the situation at Biratnagar's Sarojia and Keshariya roads where protestors had gathered in defiance of the curfew orders.
Likewise, DAO (Parsa) today issued a 10-hour curfew orders in Birgunj from 9 am to 9 pm.
The activists had also vandalized several hotels, shops, government offices and public houses from Ghantaghar to Revenue Office in the town.
Similarly, Mahottari district too remained paralysed today, thanks to the MPRF protest.
Mahottari’s Jaleshwore bazaar remained shut today and the vehicular movement in the entire district has been brought to a complete standstill.
Earlier today, protestors burnt a tire atop of king Mahendra's statue in Jaleshwor bazaar. Likewise, a goodwill rally organised by the eight parties in Sarlahi was postponed at the last moment.
According to CPN-UML leader Tribhuwan Ansari, the rally had been postponed because of the surge of "unfamiliar faces" in Malangwa that sparked fears of outside infiltrations.
Likewise, Kalaiya in Bara has also been severely affected by the ongoing indefinite strike.
JTMM urges MPRF to sit for talks
Meanwhile, the Jwala Singh faction of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) -- a CPN- Maoist offshoot -- today urged the agitating forum to accept the government's call for talks immediately.
Stating that the normal life in the Terai region has been severly crippled by the ongoing protests and strikes, Ranvir Singh, the central member of Jwala Singh group, who is also the in-charge of the JTMM's eastern military command, requested the forum to sit for talks.
Singh further said that continued protests will only enable the regressive forces to "come clean" and that the Madhesh Aandolan, which was at its height, could only be institutionalised through talks.
According to sources, Singh added that the JTMM had deployed its cadres so as to assist the remonstrations of the Forum.
Stating that the JTMM is always ready to support the Madhesh Andolan, Singh also disclosed that armed cadres of his party had also been deployed in the protest.
Posted on: 2007-01-26 01:33:47 (Server Time)
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Terai unrest calms down slowly, local administrations relax curfew
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 26 - The eastern Terai region, except for Gaur, returned to a state of normality by early evening Friday with no reports of violent demonstrations.
The local administrations also relaxed its curfew. There was no curfew clamped in Sunsari today and the demonstrations were also peaceful.
The region has seen a spate of violence and clashes between protesters and police over the last few days in which five people have died.
The Siraha District Administration Office lifted the curfew at 5 this evening which was followed by a peaceful demonstration by protesters and people flooding to the market places to buy essential supplies. Similarly, in Biratnagar also peaceful demonstrations were carried out once the local administration there lifted the curfew at 6 this evening.
Despite the curfew order in Birgunj from 9 am to 9 pm, two restaurants and a police post were vandalized.
However, at least two dozen demonstrators were injured, four seriously, when riot police opened fire as protesters and policemen clashed during a MPRF demonstration in Janakpur despite the curfew order. According to sources, protestors took to the streets at Bidari Chowk, Ramananda Chowk, Machha bazaar in Janakpur in defiance of the curfew order early this morning. Police fired blank rounds to contain the violent demonstration, sources said.
Posted on: 2007-01-26 08:50:44 (Server Time)
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TERAI UNREST: Protester killed in Bara; violence continues
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 27 - Violent protests continued across the eastern Terai on Saturday with another protester killed in police firing in Bara district.
One Ashraf Ansari, 25, succumbed to injuries while being rushed to hospital after he was shot by police during a scuffle between security forces and activists of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum at Kalaiya in the district, our correspondent reported.
At least seven protesters and four policemen were injured in the scuffle with the MPRF activists.
Several rounds of teargas shells were fired to control the protestors.
Our correspondent also said the local administrations today extended the curfew in various parts of the Terai region.
However, city centres remained comparatively quieter today although there were reports of sporadic protests.
The District Administration Office (DAO) Birgunj today clamped yet another 10-hour curfew effective from 10am to 8pm after the situation did not improve.
Likewise, DAO Lahan issued a four-hour curfew beginning at 12 noon.
Meanwhile, a rally staged prior to the curfew in Lahan today traversed the city, reminding the residents that the ongoing protests were not communal in nature and urged Lahan residents not to make it so. Participants also chanted slogans, urging all not to incite communal violence.
Meanwhile, youths in Saptari vandalized a statue of the supreme commander of the 1990 uprising, Ganesh Man Singh.
Protesters early Saturday damaged the statue of the late NC leader Ganesh Man Singh at Malankpur-5.
Likewise, Madheshi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) activists and members of the CPN-M splinter faction Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM)-Jwala Singh pelted stones and vandalized police stations at Jhutki and Babainia in Saptari.
The forum later apologized for the vandalism, stating that there had been outside infiltration during the incident.
In Janakpur, protesters took to the streets early morning against Friday's manhandling of injured protesters by the police who stormed the hospital wards where the injured protestors were undergoing treatment.
The police yesterday had beaten up protesters who had taken shelter inside the hospital.
The city was comparatively peaceful today.
According to our correspondent Jitendra Sah, a rally of more than 15,000 people gathered from 16 VDCs to the main bazaar of southeastern Morang, which is also the entry point to the Prime Minister's constituency, traversed the area calling everyone to spread the message of maintaining communal harmony in the region.
Around 16,000 locals chanted goodwill slogans like: Beware of those who are trying to disrupt communal harmony; Beware of infiltration by regressive, royalist and feudal forces; Nobody has the right to play a game under the pretext of Madhesi rights; Each Madhesi is a Nepali, etc.
Likewise, Rautahat which was hardest-hit by the protests yesterday, appeared relatively calm today.
Although the city centre saw increased activity in the morning, no protests were organized.
Meanwhile, the Madheshi Disabled Association in Rautahat today issued a press statement urging the agitating sides to immediately sit down for talks and resolve the problems.
Stating that the entire country was standing behind the demands of the Madheshi people, the association urged all not to incite violence and disrupt communal harmony by taking out protests.
Life in the district headquarters of Kalaiya and nearby areas remained paralyzed for the fifth day running due to the strike announced by the MPRF.
Meanwhile, various organizations and associations in Siraha today urged all concerned sides to resolve the present crisis through peaceful dialogue. Issuing a press release, the organizations urged the MPRF and the government to sit down for talks immediately.
Sundi Welfare Society, Rauniyar Welfare society, Nepal Teli Kalyan Society, among others, issued the statements calling both sides to address the Terai problems through talks.
Likewise, flaying yesterday's manhandling of patients and doctors by the police in the Janakpur Zonal Hospital, the Health Worker's Association and Doctors' Association in Siraha today urged the government to sit down for talks at the earliest possible time.
Meanwhile, the MPRF today issued an apology for the damage inflicted on the Sunsari Bar Association building during Thursday's protests, assuring that such acts would not be repeated in the future.
Posted on: 2007-01-27 02:00:36 (Server Time)
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=98815
Protestor killed in Bara
Kantipur Report
BARA, Jan 27 - A protestor was killed in Bara after police opened fire on agitating Madheshi People's Rights Forum in the wake of which the District Administration Office (DOA), Bara clamped a curfew order effective from 4 pm to 9 pm.
According to sources at the District Administration Office (DOA), Bara, the person was killed after the police were forced to open fire in self defense.
Likewise, ten protestors and an equal number of policemen were also injured in the face off in Kaliya today, the sources said.
Protestors today vandalized the land survey office, ambulance service building and also broke into the vault of the Rastriya Banijya Bank there.
Meanwhile, forum members today vandalized and torched the Nepal Electricity Board office in Gaur, Rautahat district.
A rally which was staged in the afternoon today caused the damage to the NEB office in addition to pelting the office of the Nepal Journalist's Association.
Posted on: 2007-01-27 06:43:25 (Server Time)
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=98900
TERAI UNREST: Curfews clamped in three towns, another protester killed in Bara
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 28 - The unrest in the terai region which has entered its 11th day saw no signs of improving on Sunday.
Another protester was killed in police firing in Kalaiya, Bara today.
Police opened fire on protesters when agitating Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) activists defied curfew orders, according to our correspondent.
Nazeer Alam Ansari, 25 was killed in the firing by security forces. Over two dozen policemen were also injured in the scuffle with the activists.
Sporadic demonstrations were carried out at various places in the region starting early this morning.
The local administrations in Kalaiya, Janakpur and Birgunj imposed a daytime curfew to bring the situation under control in the major cities.
A 13-hour curfew has been imposed in Kalaiya, Bara, where the situation seemed to go out of control today following the death of a protester there yesterday.
The local administration has imposed a curfew from 8am to 9pm in order to bring the situation under control.
Similarly, in Janakpur, the local administration has imposed a nine-hour curfew – 8am-5pm – after agitators began protesting since early morning.
Protesters who had torched the Janakpur Customs Office building three days ago set fire to the office’s vehicles today.
However, Lahaan, the epicentre of the eastern Terai region from where the unrest spread, remained comparatively calm today.
The meeting of the seven parties at the district-level yesterday urged the Madhesi People's Rights Forum – the group that first called for the demonstrations – to come forward for negotiations. During the meeting that was held late yesterday night, the leaders of the seven parties agreed that the demands – proportional election system, federal government, among others – put forward by the forum were genuine, but also urged the forum to find a solution to the problems through dialogue.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Prasad Burma, a journalist was beaten badly by agitators in Siraha this morning. In Birgunj too a seven-hour curfew has been imposed after violent activities were carried out during the demonstrations. The local administration has clamped an 11am to 6pm curfew in the area.
Protesters in Birgunj burned down the Nepal Telecom Office and a police post situated in Gandak.
According to our correspondent, the agitators have been targeting journalists and beating them up in Birgunj.
Meanwhile, a peaceful demonstration was organized by MPRF in Rangeli of Morang in which people of the Terai region joined hands with the people of the Hilly region (Pahade) and demanded the Home Minister's resignation. The demonstrators also urged all to put an end to the violence that has in the last few days blazed across the eastern Terai region by holding talks at the earliest.
However, locals from Bhardaha, Portaha in Saptari and other areas continued their protests supporting the forum and vandalized the area police office, area post office and VDC office.
The protesters claimed that there has been infiltration in the forum’s movement. Expressing their resentment over the damage done to the statues of democratic leaders, the locals today vandalised statues of King Mahendra and Tribhuwan in Rajbiraj.
However, Jaleshwor market in Mahottari was comparatively calmer today.
Posted on: 2007-01-28 02:20:33 (Server Time)
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Journos, media houses attacked
Kantipur Report
BIRGUNJ, Jan 29 - Demonstrators in the protests called by Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) Sunday attacked journalists and media houses here in the town.
Seeking out at every nook and cranny in the town, protesters singled out and beat up several local journalists throughout the day. They started vandalizing local media houses later in the afternoon.
Several journalists left town as MPRF cadres threatened media personnel. Journalists fled the town after the cadres announced a list of certain journalists against whom action would be taken. They were still hunting for some journalists including Post correspondents.
A rally that defied curfew orders vandalized local FM station Radio Birgunj and branch office of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ). The station's broadcast was disrupted for some hours following the attack. Some 60 to 70 protesters stormed the station, according to Dipendra Chauhan, news coordinator of the station. Protesters also vandalized four motorcycles of the FM station, some equipment of BBC Radio Nepali Service and Communication Corner.
After vandalizing Radio Birgunj, the mob was heading toward Narayani FM. However, security men deployed at the station foiled their attempts at vandalism there, according to managing director of the station Govinda Devkota.
"This is a conspiracy hatched by regressive forces against the newly-established loktantra," said Chauhan, who is also a member of Press Council, adding, "Journalists will however tackle it patiently."
Protesters had brutally beaten up photojournalist Ram Sarraf earlier in the morning. He is undergoing treatment at Narayani sub-regional hospital. Likewise, the group also beat up journalists Dhruva Sah and Bhuvan Jha. Meanwhile, editors and publishers of seven daily newspapers have declared in unison they will not publish their editions from Tuesday in protest of the attack against journalists and media houses. They took the decision at a meeting held here on Sunday evening following the attacks. Journalists have also blamed the police forces of being mute spectators during the incidents. During the protest, irate demonstrators also burnt down a police unit at Gandak area, survey and customs offices, and vandalized some private houses. In Bara, journalists could not go outside to cover news and take photographs of demonstrations as protesters were hunting for some journalists to take action against them. Meanwhile, issuing a statement, MPRF Sunsari chapter has urged journalists and human rights activists to cover news of the protests and monitor activities without any fear and terror. The statement issued by the district chairman also has committed not to hinder them.
Posted on: 2007-01-28 21:29:01 (Server Time)
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Terai unrest continues, Minister Tripathi resigns
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 29 - Local administrations across the terai region on Monday issued fresh curfew orders in four towns as the unrest in southern Nepal continued severely affecting normal life for the 11th consecutive day.
The District Administration Offices issued curfew orders in Janakpur, Birgunj, Kalaiya and Gaur today to control the increasing unrest in the southeastern region of the country.
Meanwhile, citing government reluctance to resolve the Madhesi issues, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Supplies Hridayesh Tripathi today resigned from his post from the ruling coalition government.
He said that the ruling seven-party alliance was "not serious enough over the present turmoil in the Terai region." Minister Tripathi tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala through the chief secretary today.
"The eight parties have failed to show the level of seriousness that merits the present situation. Madhesh is moving ahead with its genuine demands regarding the proportional electoral procedure and federal setup, among others." He said adding, "We had issued a note of dissent on the very day the interim constitution was promulgated on January 15, however, there has been no hearing."
Central Committee members of the Nepal Sadhbhawana Party (Anandidevi) had recently urged the party to leave the coalition government accusing the government of suppressing the Madhesi movement in the Terai region.
Meanwhile, shops and transportation services remained closed for the 11th day running as protests resumed in some parts of the eastern Terai on Monday.
In Lahaan where the Madhesi People's Right Forum (MPRF) first carried out the protests, life seemed to return to normality but markets and shops remained closed.
Although Lahan has been comparatively calmer in the past two days, transportation services have not started operating and marketplaces remained closed.
Krishna Bahadur Yadav, central member of the MPRF, said that the indefinite banda programme would continue until their demands for a proportional electoral system, federal state and declaration of constituencies based upon the population, among others, are addressed by the government.
In Birgunj, the local administration imposed a nine-hour curfew (10am to 7pm) today again.
Likewise, DAO Rautahat also imposed a curfew in Gaur from 9 am to 7 pm.
Janakpur remained peaceful today. However, a 10-hour curfew has been imposed by the local administration from 8am to 6pm.
Meanwhile, just before the curfew order came into effect, a group of Nepali-speaking people traversed the city area and expressed their solidarity with the Madhesi movement and appealed to all to maintain peace and harmony in the region.
Similarly, in Kalaiya of Bara a curfew has been imposed from 8am to 9pm today.
Modraj Dotel, chief district officer of Morang blamed protest organisers of failing to maintain peace during the demonstrations despite their continuous pledge to organize peaceful demonstrations.
Likewise, life was badly affected in Jaleshwor, Mahottari, as the residents were deprived of essential daily goods as the shops remained closed.
Due to the transportation shutdown, newspapers have not been delivered for the past 10 days. In addition, even local newspapers have not been published. According to our correspondent, due to the lack of newspapers people have been deprived of information.
In Mirchai, Siraha, agitators forced around 300 Maoist cadres out of Shobha Shahi's house. The Maoists had captured Shahi's house six months ago.
Protesters vandalized the Village Development Committee Office, Post Office and the Drug Administration Office in Mirchaiya.
Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress leaders who are here in Janakpur to hold talks with the Madhesi leaders today expressed their solidarity with the ongoing movement.
They stressed that that the protests should be peaceful and urged all concerned to maintain peace and harmony in the region.
The team of NC leaders includes Ram Baran Yadav, joint general secretary of the party, Smriti Narayan Chaudhary and chief whip Anand Prasad Dhungana.
Speaking at a press conference today, the leaders said that the Madhesi people's rights have not been addressed adequately and this movement should only end with a credible solution.
They added that the Madhesi people's demands are justifiable and should be addressed.
Posted on: 2007-01-29 03:04:14 (Server Time)
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/29012007/325/nepal-minister-quits-ethnic-protests.html
Nepal minister quits over ethnic protests Monday January 29, 03:00 PM
KATHMANDU (Reuters) - A Nepali minister from the ethnic Madhesi community resigned on Monday, accusing the ruling alliance of neglecting Madhesi grievances that have led to violent protests in the south.
The demonstrations across the fertile Terai lowlands, also known as the Madhesh, have taken the sheen off a peace process that has seen former Maoist rebels join an interim parliament this month.
At least seven people have been killed over the last two weeks and more than 100 wounded, paralysing the region that borders India. Madhesi activists say their community has been discriminated against by "hill-dominated" political elites who run the country, resulting in its under-representation in government, security agencies and the highest levels of politics.
The resignation by Hridayesh Tripathi, the country's commerce minister, is the first by a senior Madhesi politician and comes amid rising criticism that the government has not called protest leaders for talks.
"The eight parties (ruling alliance and Maoists) have not been able to form a consensus to amend the constitution, making way for federalism," Tripathi told Reuters, adding that the government should redraw constituencies so the Madhesis are better represented in parliament.
"The speed with which Madhesh is burning is dangerous."
Hours after the resignation, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala met top leaders of the ruling alliance and Maoist chief Prachanda to try to stem the unrest.
Members of the eight parties, including the Maoists, are expected to meet on Tuesday, senior politicians said.
Madhesi leaders are angry after the parliament passed an interim constitution which did not meet their demands for federalism and proportional representation, analysts say.
"This (violence in Madhesh) is a failure of the government and governance. These demands could have been addressed earlier," Lok Raj Baral of the Nepal Centre for Strategic Studies said.
"These are genuine demands but it seems Koirala acts only under pressure."
Madhesis are ethnically, culturally and linguistically closer to people living in neighbouring India than to Nepalis living in the mountains.
More than 50 MPs from the Terai, impoverished Nepal's bread basket and industrial hub, urged Koirala on Sunday to meet the demands of Madhesi protesters.
Three towns in the Terai are still under curfew and media reports say tensions are high in parts of the region.
On Sunday, Madhesi protesters beat up local reporters and attacked local radio stations in the troubled town of Birgunj, Nepali media reported.
(Additional reporting by Kamil Zaheer)
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99089
Biratnagar protest turns violent, one killed; indefinite curfew clamped
Kantipur Report
BIRATNAGAR, Jan 30 - District Administration Office Morang on Tuesday issued an indefinite curfew order in Biratnagar and surrounding areas after a clash between the protesters and the police resulted in the death of a protester.
During the clash, another protester was seriously injured.
The DAO Morang issued a curfew order beginning at 1:30 this afternoon till the further notice. The deceased has been identified as 41-year-old Rakumar Kaman.
The injured has been taken to the Koshi Zonal Hospital where he is undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile, General life in the rest of eastern Terai on Tuesday showed signs of returning to normalcy after nearly two weeks of unrest and violent protests.
Tensions in the region have gone down following the respective local administrations in the region lifted the curfew orders.
However, District Administration office (DAO) Bara today issued an eight-hour curfew order in Kalaiya of Bara.
The DAO Bara clamped a 10am-6pm curfew after the unrest there showed no sign of abating.
Likewise, citing peace and security reasons, DAO Rautahat also issued a curfew order in Gaur effective from 10 am to 7 pm.
Although city centres saw an increase in activities, vehicular movement is still disturbed.
Meanwhile, the government began an arrest spree since yesterday night detaining royal kingpins for their accused role in infiltrating the peaceful protests in the Terai region and inciting riots.
Yesterday, the police arrested Kamal Thapa and Badri Mandal, two ministers of the erstwhile royal government.
Likewise, other former royal-appointed officials suspected to have involved in the protests are also being tracked down, police said.
The epicentre of the recent unrest, Lahan in Siraha district, however, was relatively calm today. Although the marketplaces still remain shut people seem to returning to their daily activities.
Likewise, locals are breathing a sigh of relief after the curfew orders were lifted.
However, owing to continuous shut downs, strikes and then curfew orders one after another, there has been a scarcity of foodstuff. Rickshaw pullers, labourers, government officials and students in particular have been greatly affected by the food scarcity in the region.
Meanwhile, Janakpur and Birgunj remained relatively peaceful today.
The doctors in Janakpur today organised a silent rally, protesting against the attack by the police in the Janakpur Zonal Hospital.
Similarly, the workers of the Janakpur Cigarette Factory also joined the protests, expressing their solidarity with the Madhesi cause. Meanwhile, the Madhesi people living in the hilly regions of the country today said that the demands of the Madheshi community were genuine and justifiable and the government must address them properly.
They, however, requested those living in the Terai belt to organise peaceful rallies only and also condemned the recent attacks on journalists and the media.
Posted on: 2007-01-30 02:52:13 (Server Time)
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Kamal Thapa, Mandal arrested
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 30 - Police on Monday night arrested two former ministers Kamal Thapa and Badri Prasad Mandal on charges of inciting anarchy in the terai. Thapa was arrested from his residence at Bishal Nagar in Kathmandu and Mandal was arrested from Biratnagar. Thapa was home minister and Mandal was agriculture minister in the king’s cabinet.
According to a highly placed police source, Thapa, a close aide to King Gyanendra during 14 months of royal regime, was arrested at about 9:45 pm for "necessary investigation". He is currently detained at Armed Police Force barracks in Maharajgunj.
The source added that the two were arrested to investigate their alleged role in inciting the recent unrest across terai.
Posted on: 2007-01-29 13:02:10 (Server Time)
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/31012007/325/death-toll-rises-nepal-pm-promises-federal-state.html
Death toll rises as Nepal PM promises federal state
Wednesday January 31, 05:51 PM
KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nepal's prime minister promised on Wednesday to turn Nepal into a federal state after this year's constituent assembly elections, a move to stem protests by ethnic Madhesi people in which 11 people have died.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala also vowed to redraw constituencies for the planned vote, the first in eight years, on the basis of population and geography to raise the representation of different groups, including the Madhesi people, in the assembly.
Hours after his comments, Madhesi protesters clashed with police in Biratnagar, Koirala's home town in southeast Nepal. A police officer and a protester were killed, police said.
Protesters ransacked a police post and stole a pistol, two rifles, a police official said.
At least two towns remained under curfew on Wednesday as the protests continued to cripple Terai, Nepal's economic and industrial hub which borders India.
Protests from Madhesi people, who live in Nepal's fertile southern lowlands, have cast a shadow over the landmark deal in 2006 that declared an end to the decade-old Maoist revolt in which more than 13,000 people were killed.
The constituent assembly, a key demand of the former Maoist rebels, is meant to draw up a permanent constitution for the country and map out its political future.
"The new constitution to be prepared by the constituent assembly will create a federal democratic system," Koirala, wearing a black Nepali cap and a matching jacket, said in a nationally televised address.
The move is seen aimed at ending centuries of central rule and appeasing ethnic groups complaining of government neglect.
"We are passing through epoch-making times in the history of our country. Therefore, everyone must contribute to make free, fair and peaceful elections possible," Koirala said.
Koirala's comments came nearly two weeks after violent protests across the eastern Terai, also known as Madhesh, in which more than 100 were also injured.
INTERIM CONSTITUTION
Earlier in January, government and Maoists approved an interim constitution that saw the former rebels start to lock up their arms and join a provisional parliament as part of the peace deal negotiated by Koirala and Maoist chief Prachanda.
But many, including the ethnic people of the Terai region, said the new constitution had failed to give them adequate representation in parliament.
Madhesi activists say they have faced discrimination by the "hill-dominated" ruling elites who run the Himalayan nation, resulting in under-representation in parliament, government, army and police.
Despite making up nearly 30 percent of Nepal's 26 million people, Madhesis, who are ethnically and linguistically closer to neighbouring India than to the Nepalis living in the hills, occupy only about 15 percent of seats in parliament.
"This could perhaps be my first and last appeal to you because of my (failing) health and age," said an emotional Koirala, 85, who had prostate surgery in Bangkok last year.
"The nation is a common property of all," he said. "If there are problems we can solve them through dialogue. I once again appeal (to protest organisers) for talks and to end the protests immediately," the frail-looking leader said.
There was no immediate comment from the Madhesi People's Rights Forum, which has led the latest protests. Earlier the group said it had received no invitation to a meeting.
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99201
Some Terai cities breathe again after curfew order lifted
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 31 - Life in the eastern Terai Wednesday showed signs of returning to normalcy after the tensions of the past two weeks that saw the entire region under the grip of violent protests and street battles over demands of the Madheshi community.
Although the curfew orders have been extended in some parts, other districts are slowly returning to normalcy.
According to our correspondent, life is returning to normalcy where the curfew orders were lifted.
Meanwhile, protesters in Rautahat took to the streets since early this morning while the Distirct Administration Office Chandranigahapur today issued curfew order from 10am to 6pm at Chandranigahapur, Santapur, and Dumariya VDC to prevent any untoward activities there.
In Biratnagar the indefinite curfew order – issued yesterday after one Raj Kumar Kamath was killed in a clash between the locals and the protesters – was continued today as well.
The police have been announcing the reinforcement of curfew orders since early morning.
The Armed Police and the civil police are patrolling around the protest-prone areas in order to avoid any mishap.
According to the police, arrangements have been made to take the stranded travellers to airports, border and out of the city.
Likewise in Inaruwa, protesters torched two trucks today.
Meanwhile, a team comprising Sudip Pathak of the Nepal Human Rights Association and other human rights activists has begun investigation into the Lahan incident.
Owing to the adverse conditions generated by the protests, the officials who were positioned at different villages to distribute citizenship certificates have returned to the headquarters.
According to the district administration, Siraha, five out of the 12 teams assigned to distribute the citizenship certificates at different villages have already returned.
Meanwhile, taking an undue advantage of the ongoing unrest in the Terai region, wood smugglers in Mahottari district felled trees worth millions in the district. According to the police, the smugglers felled some 400 eucalyptus, sissoo and other valuable trees lining the Birtamod-Janakpur road that saw almost no traffic movement during the agitation.
Meanwhile, the closure of marketplaces has led to a shortage of food supplies in most of the eastern Terai.
Similarly, students preparing for the upcoming SLC exams have also been largely affected due to the ongoing protests.
In Janakpur, the teachers from all over the district jointly organized a rally today. Similarly, the eight parties too are taking out a rally, expressing their solidarity wioth the Madhesi movement. Although Biratnagar – where curfew order has been extended till the further notice – is relatively calmer than yesterday, a minor clash between the police and the agitators took place in Pushpa Lal Chowk in Pokhariya where the protesters vandalised a police vehicle.
Meanwhile, the daily life has been affected by the continuing protests and strikes.
Due to the lack of oxygen and other essential supplies, Birat Nursing Home in Biratnagar has been shut down.
According to Dr. Gyanendra Karki, the hospital could not operate because of the lack of proper medical supplies and police’s refusal to sanction curfew passes to the doctors.
Posted on: 2007-01-31 03:01:52 (Server Time)
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Madhesi activists kill policeman in Biratnagar
Kantipur Report
BIRATNAGAR, Jan 31 - Hours after the prime minister appealed to the Madhesi people to shun the violent protests in the Terai region, activists from the Madhesi People's Righst Forum (MPRF) Wednesday killed a policeman in Biratnagar.
The MPRF activists brutally killed Assistant Sub Inspector Naresh Jung Karki, who was leading a 13-member police team at Buddhanagar in the town at 5 pm this evening, police sources said.
The activists had surrounded the police team and stabbed Karki to death. The protesters also abducted three other policemen after attacking them with sharp weapons.One protester was also killed in the incident,sources said.
The Madhesi activists also took away 2 rifles and a pistol from the policemen.
In retaliation, the police had opened fire on the protesters. Earlier, in his televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had appealed to the agitating MPRF to stop their protests and come for talks.
The bloody protests in southeastern Nepal have already claimed the lives of ten people over the past two weeks.
Posted on: 2007-01-31 08:56:49 (Server Time)
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=4441290&p=444y3x5
Police shoot protesters in Nepal riot 01/02/2007 - 15:21:24
Police opened fire on hundreds of protesters attacking government buildings in a south- eastern Nepalese town today, killing at least three people, officials said.
Police shot at the protesters after they attacked six government offices and set them on fire during a riot in Inaruwa, 190 miles south-east of Kathmandu, a government official said.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to reporters, said the situation was still out of control and top local government and security officials were holding emergency discussions to plan their action.
Violent protests in the region began on January 19, claiming 14 lives so far and crippling daily life.
People in the southern plains, known as the Madeshi, are pressing for more seats in the national parliament, a guaranteed number of slots in the administration and a degree of autonomy, claiming the government’s development and policy-making decisions have always favoured people living in the Himalayan mountains to the north.
Elections for a special assembly are scheduled to be held around June as part of a peace process ending a decade-old communist insurgency.
Earlier today, protest leaders rejected the prime minister’s reform proposals aimed at quelling violence in the region.
“The prime minister failed to completely address the problems of the Madeshi people,” said Upendra Yadav, chief of the Madeshi People’s Rights Forum. “We will continue our protests.”
The protesters also say local people, including many Indian migrants who crossed over the porous border and have lived there for decades, have a hard time getting citizenship certificates and other government documents.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, in a broadcast yesterday on national television and radio, offered electoral reforms and urged the protesters to end their demonstrations and immediately come to the capital for talks.
Over the past two weeks, police have fired on protesters, beat them with batons, and imposed curfews to break up demonstrations.
Today, a curfew was re-imposed in some major southern towns and cities.
The strikes and curfews have hampered the flow of fuel supplies to the cities in the mountains of the north, including the capital, Kathmandu.
Since yesterday, long lines of cars and motorcycles have waited outside the handful of service stations that remained open in the capital.
According to the Petroleum Dealers’ Association, most of the stations have closed after running out of petrol.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/02/asia/AS-GEN-Nepal-Violence.php
Curfews imposed over Nepal violence; government forms committee to resolve trouble
The Associated Press Thursday, February 1, 2007 KATMANDU, Nepal
Curfews were imposed as Nepal's Cabinet held an emergency meeting Friday, forming a ministerial committee assigned to resolve violent protests that have left 14 people dead in the country's south, officials said.
Three of the victims died Thursday when police fired on hundreds of protesters attacking government buildings in Inaruwa, a town about 300 kilometers (190 miles) southeast of the capital, Katmandu.
Residents of Nepal's southern plains have been pressing for more autonomy as well as more seats in the national legislature and a guaranteed number of slots in the country's administration. They say the government's development and policy decisions have long favored people living in the Himalayan mountains to the north.
Curfews were re-imposed Friday in several towns in the area, a home ministry statement said.
The three-member government committee formed Friday is headed by Agriculture Minister Mahanta Thakur and will try start talks with protesting groups to resolve the situation, Tourism Minister Pradeep Gyawali said after the Cabinet meeting.
Violent protests in the region began Jan. 19, claiming 14 lives so far and crippling daily life in the involved areas. Among the protesters' complaints are claims that southerners — including many migrants from neighboring India who have crossed the porous border and lived there for decades — have difficulty in getting citizenship certificates and other government documents.
Over the past two weeks, police have fired on protesters and beaten them with batons, and have imposed various curfews.
The situation has hampered the flow of fuel to parts of the mountainous north, including Katmandu.
Since Wednesday, long lines of cars and motorcycles have waited formed outside the handful of service stations still open in the capital.
Most have run out of fuel and closed, according to the country's Petroleum Dealers' Association.
The trouble in the south comes as many across Nepal hope a recent peace deal will permanently end a separate, decade-old communist insurgency in the country.
However, the recent violence has diverted much of the government's time and attention to the situation in the south.
Elections for a special assembly are scheduled to be held around June as part of the national peace process aimed at settling the communist uprising.
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99306
Terai agitation continues unabated; curfew in Biratnagar, Chanranigahpur
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 1 - The agitating people in the Terai region despite the Prime Minister's appeal to come forward to hold talks to find a peaceful way to the problems continued their protests programmes on Thursday.
Stating that the PM's address on Wednesday could not satisfactorily include the issues raised by the Madhesi people, the agitators took to the streets today as well.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala in his address to the nation yesterday afternoon had appealed everyone to maintain peace and restraint. PM Koirala also had said that the government would increase the number of constituencies and that the constituent assembly to be formed after the CA elections would follow a concept of federal set-up.
The eastern and mid Terai region where life has been disrupted severely for the last two weeks owing to the ongoing protests, though showed signs of normalcy yesterday, could not retain it for long. In Biratnagar, the local administration though relaxed curfew order since 5 this morning for four hours, the earlier curfew order issued at 1:30pm Tuesday for an indefinite period continued. The four-hour relaxation in curfew order saw a huge number of people thronging the marketplaces to buy essential daily goods.
Meanwhile, life in Inaruwa has been crippled by banda following the torching of the NC district office by an unidentified group Wednesday night. However, the Madhesi People's Rights Forum made it clear that it had no hand in torching of the NC office. NC district secretary Rajiv Koirala said that office furniture including some important documents were destroyed in the fire.
Similarly, local administration in Rautahat imposed a curfew in Chandranigahpur, Dumariya and Santapur since 8 this morning to 6 in the evening. Demonstrators on Wednesday night torched UML's Tulsi Lal Memorial conference hall at Garuda.
Similarly, Madhesi Rastriya Mukti Morcha, a CPN-Maoist affiliate, began demonstrations since morning labeling the prime minister's address and appeal a "dodge".
Lahan, the epicenter of the eastern Terai agitation, that has been seeing agitation and demonstration for the last 14 days in a row, has not been able to breathe again.
Stating that the prime minister's address yesterday could not underscore the demands put forward by the Madhesi community, several parties and organizations today said that they would continue their demonstrations.
Stating that the government could not address the forum's demands properly, Krishna B Yadav, central committee member of the forum said that it would continue to protest.
Meanwhile, more than a dozen buses bound for Kakarvitta from Kathmandu have been stranded at Bardibas of Mahottari. The protesters obstructed vehicular movement at Dhalkebar, Dhanusa Wednesday night forcing more than 350 passengers traveling to eastern Nepal to remain stranded in the middle of the highway.
Jaleshwor, Mahottari too has not remained untouched with the ongoing demonstrations. The demonstrators padlocked more than a dozen government offices including District Election Commission's Office, Agriculture Development Bank, Rastriya Banijya Bank among others this morning.
Kalaiya of Bara also did not show any sign of improvement today. The marketplace, schools, offices and industries remained closed.
Posted on: 2007-02-01 01:43:40 (Server Time)
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99314
3 protesters killed in Inaruwa
Kantipur Report SUNSARI, Feb 1 - At least three activists from the agitating Madhesi People's Rights Forum were killed and 31 others injured in clashes with police in Inaruwa Thursday afternoon.
The killed protesters were identified as Hari Mehata and Shyam Mehata of Inaruwa-8. The other deceased was not identified, police said.
The clashes between the protesters and the police ensued after the former set ablaze the District Forest Office, Sunsari branch office of Nepal Electricity Authority and District Administration Office.
More than 15 policemen were injured in the incident.
Posted on: 2007-02-01 08:06:33 (Server Time)
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99310
Protesters storm, torch govt offices in Birgunj; curfew clamped, lifted
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 1 - The local administration on Thursday clamped a seven-hour curfew after the demonstrators here began vandalizing and torching the government offices, however, immediately revoking its decision to do so.
The curfew earlier issued to remain effective from 3pm to 10pm was lifted after the demonstrators defied the curfew order and took to the streets.
Around 10,000 protesters earlier today gathered at the local Ghantaghar and vandalized and torched the Land Revenue Office, Office of the Controller of Auditor, Forest Office and others while marching towards the customs office.
The demonstrators were seen carrying sharp weapons like swords and khukuris.
The demonstrators also vandalized the vehicles parked around the customs office.
Earlier this morning, demonstrators vandalized the Transport Office and Nepal Oil Corporation.
Posted on: 2007-02-01 03:32:48 (Server Time)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Three_killed_in_Nepal_police_firing/articleshow/1552856.cms
Three killed in Nepal police firing [ 2 Feb, 2007 0011hrs ISTAP ]
KATHMANDU: Police opened fire on hundreds of protesters attacking government buildings in a southeastern Nepalese town on Thursday, killing at least three people, officials said. Police shot at the protesters after they attacked six government offices and set them on fire during a riot in Inaruwa, about 300 km southeast of Katmandu, an official said.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the situation was still out of control and top local government and security officials were holding emergency discussions to plan their action.
Violent protests in the region began January 19, claiming 14 lives so far, and have crippled daily life. People in the southern plains, known as the Madeshi, are pressing for more seats in the national Parliament, a guaranteed number of slots in the administration and a degree of autonomy, claiming the government's development and policy-making decisions have always favoured people living in the Himalayan mountains to the north.
Elections for a special assembly are scheduled to be held around June as part of a peace process ending a decade-old communist insurgency. Earlier on Thursday, protest leaders rejected the prime minister's reform proposals aimed at quelling violence in the region.
"The prime minister failed to completely address the problems of the Madeshi people," said Upendra Yadav, chief of the Madeshi People's Rights Forum. On Thursday, a curfew was re- imposed in some major southern towns and cities.
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=20717
Nepal 2 February 2007
Violence against press continues in riot-torn south
Reporters Without Borders today reiterated its deep concern about journalists in southern Nepal, where intercommunal rioting continues. Journalists have been forced to flee their towns, some media have temporarily stopped publishing, and press personnel have been attacked.
Media workers have reacted with terror to the appearance of posters in public squares in the southern city of Birgunj with lists of “wanted” journalists for whose capture rewards are offered. The posters have prompted 11 journalists to flee the districts of Parsa, Bara and Rautat in fear of their lives.
The journalists who have been forced to flee their place of work are Govinda Devkota of Nepal Samacharpatra and Nepal FM 91.8, Kantipur reporters Sujeet Mahat, Shiva Puri and Shankar Aacharya, Sudeep Aryal of the Annapurna Post, Pawan Yadav of Radio Birgunj, Bipin Gautam of Radio Narayani, Ashok Pahadi of the Prateek Daily, Phani Mahat of Nepal Samacharpatra and freelancers Narayan Devkota and Sanjaya Karki.
Demonstrators damaged the motorcycle of radio Nepal FM 91.8 reporter Bikram Luitel on 30 January. Rioters attacked three journalists on the street in the southern district of Morang on 29 January. The same day, police beat a photographer working for local newspaper Satya Sandesh as he was taking pictures of the rioting. Newspapers and magazines in Birgunj jointly decided to stop publishing from 29 January until today in protest against the orchestrated violence against the press. The press also disappeared from news stands in Bara district for two days.
The Federation of Nepalese Journalists, whose president, Bishnu Nisthuri, visited Birgunj, has asked the government to quickly provide protection for journalists and to arrest those responsible for the attacks. Police have arrested former monarchist ministers suspected of instigating rioting by members of the Madeshi ethnic group.
29.01.2007
Violence against the press during intercommunal riots
Reporters Without Borders today condemned the physical attacks and threats against at least nine journalists and acts of vandalism against radio stations and newspapers that have taken place in the course of a week-old wave of rioting and violence between Nepal’s two major ethnic groups, the Pahadi and the Madhesi, in towns in the south of the country that have left at least six dead.
"These attacks are very worrying as they endanger the media’s coverage of a key issue for the country’s future," the press freedom organisation said. "The government must protect journalists during the rioting, so that they can work and move about safely. We also urge community organisations such as the Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum (MJAF) to unequivocally condemn violence against the press."
During demonstrations organised by the MJAF on 28 January, radio FM Birgunj and the offices of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists were badly damaged by rioters in the southern town of Birgunj. Demonstrators also tried to ransack radio Narayani FM but were stopped by security guards. The station’s management decided to stop broadcasting for several hours for fear of reprisals.
Journalists Ram Sarraf , Dhruba Sah , Bhuwan Jha , Kiran Pande and Ram Bharat Sah were attacked during the demonstrations and death threats were made against Shiva Puri of the daily Kantipur .
Assailants attacked a newspaper distributor near Birgunj on 25 January. At the same time, Bheem Ghimire of Kantipur and Tank Khanal of the BBC World Service were roughed up and their motorcycles were damaged in the southeastern city of Biratnagar. Prior to that, Harinath Yadav , the correspondent of the weekly Jwarbhata , and radio Garima FM correspondent Shiva Kumar Shah were beaten by Maoists as they were covering a protest against the rebels on 21 January in the southern town of Lahan.
The MJAF has called for more protests against the interim government and against certain news media. It has issued a list of news media and journalists who, it claims, do not defend their cause. The correspondents of Nepal Television , Radio Nepal , Kantipur Publications and Nepal FM 91.8 in southern Nepal are on the list.
The editors of seven daily newspapers in the Birgunj region have issued a call for a strike beginning tomorrow in solidarity with the journalists who have been the victims of violence during the rioting. Media representatives say reporters and photographers can no longer cover events because they are perceived as government mouthpieces.
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99405
Terai sees no respite, curfew continues in four districts
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 2 - The ongoing Madhesi people's protest continued to cripple life in the region on Friday with district administration offices in Biratnagar, Inaruwa, Birgunj and Janakpur issuing fresh curfew orders. Vehicular movement has been brought to a standstill in the eastern and mid Terai region while educational institutions, industries and marketplaces in the region remained shut, making daily life all more difficult. The protest that began from Lahan, Siraha spread like a wildfire and the mid and eastern Terai region soon came under the grip of violent protests. The Madhesi People' Rights Forum began the agitation some three weeks ago demanding declaration of federal setup, proportional electoral system among others. Despite Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's address to the nation on Wednesday, the agitation continued in the Terai region unabated. At least three protesters were injured when police opened fire in Birgunj this afternoon. Similarly two were injured when police rained batons to disperse the protesters. Three injured have been flown in to the capital in Nepal Army helicopter for treatment
Police opened fire when demonstrators tried to storm Sripur Ward Police Office.
The injured have been identified as Gagan Dev Sah, Bhuvan Prasad Patel and Nagina Prasad.
The police had to open fire as the protesters tried to barge into the police post defying the curfew orders, said SP Ramesh Prasad Phuyal.
Phuyal informed that three police personnel including Constable Nawarendra Kumar Karna too have been injured during the scuffle.
Following yesterday's violent acts and torching of government offices in Birgunj, the local administration clamped curfew in Birgun from 8am to 10pm.
The protesters yesterday vandalized and torched more than a dozen government offices here.
Likewise, the protesters, last night, torched the Birgunj warehouse of the Farming Equipment Office.
According to the police, the protesters torched the main warehouse, which was used to store the fertilizers imported by the company.
However, the inventory of the go-down has not yet been conducted. Meanwhile, National Federation of Photo Journalists-Birgunj informed that the Armed Police personnel beat up photo journalists Ram Sarraf, Nitesh Mathema and Kul Narayan Pradhan.
Similarly, the curfew order issued in Sunsari, Inaruwa yesterday following a scuffle between the protesters and the police is continued today as well. The local administration in Sunsari had clamped an indefinite curfew after the protesters stormed bank, shops and even private houses.
In Malangawa, four protesters were injured in a scuffle between them and the police.
An unidentified group set ablaze equipment worth rupees millions stored at Department of Drinking Water in Malangawa. The group threw a petrol bomb near the water tank. The polythene pipes used for the drinking water supply have been destroyed in the fire and water supply system has been severely affected in the region. None of the organizations has taken responsibility of this action.
The local administration in Biratnagar lifted its indefinite curfew orders for four hours from 5am to 9am this morning but to continue till the further notice again.
Previously, an indefinite curfew order was issued by the local administration three days ago to contain the growing unrest there.
Meanwhile, supporters of Badri Prasad Mandal, a minister of the erstwhile Royal government, today beat up the locals and threatened to burn down their houses in Madare, Pokhariya, Shisauni, Baanchhigadh and Jahada in Biratnagar, sources quoting the victims said.
Morang administration had arrested Mandal four days ago with an arrest warrant of three months, on allegations to have incited riots in the ongoing protests.
According to our correspondents in Inaruwa, Sunsari, the protesters took to the streets, defying curfew orders.
According to the administration, during a scuffle between the forum members and the police in Inaruwa, the protesters looted houses, shops, government offices and banks.
Furthermore, the agitators have also looted and vandalized the house of Uma Tiwari, of Inaruwa-6.
Likewise, according to Chief District Officer, Sharada Bhakta Paudel, the protesters had also vandalized and looted the office of the Agriculture Development Bank housed in the same building in addition to looting and vandalized the shop of one Krishna Shrestha.
Shrestha said that an investigation was underway to assess the loss incurred during the looting and vandalism.
The protesters have also torched Laukahi Area Police Station, burning down two buses and a truck parked nearby.
Meanwhile, a team of officials of the Biratnagar branch of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights have arrived in Inaruwa for investigation. Human Rights activist Rajendra Pokhrel said that the team has begun an investigation into the incidents.
In Lahan, Siraha, protests have started since the morning.
Likewise, members of various organisations, including civil society and Human Rights Association have organised a rally today, expressing their solidarity towards the Madhesi movement.
Krishna Bahadur Yadav, a central member of the forum has blamed royalists and Maoists for yesterday’s incident in Sunsari.
The Dhanusha District Administration Office today imposed a 10-hour curfew in Janakpur and surrounding areas to contain the rapidly deteriorating situation there. The administration imposed curfew effective from 8am to 6pm in Janakpur.
Meanwhile, in Siraha market, protests have begun from early morning.
The police attacked protesters who were returning home after a torch rally yesterday.
One Dev Narayan Jha, who received severe injuries, is undergoing treatment in Darbhanga, India.
Similarly, in Rajbiraj, Saptari various groups like the Kurmi, Teli and Yadav Society and various government officials have started protesting, claiming that the Prime Minister’s address did not in any way provide solutions to Madhesi problems.
Posted on: 2007-02-02 03:10:22 (Server Time)
http://peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=14999
By: Peace Journalism Posted on: 2/3/2007
Nepal; One killed, over dozen protesters hurt in Birgunj
At least one protester was killed and over dozen others injured during clashes between the police and the agitating activists of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) in the southern town of Birgunj Saturday afternoon.
Riot police opened fire to control the crowd from unleashing violence during the demonstration, reports quoting the District Police Office of Parsa said. One Dipendra Shah of Pauwaguthi, Birgunj, was killed in the police firing.
Police also used several rounds of teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators.
Those injured in the clash have been taken to Narayani Sub-regional Hospital in Birgunj for treatment. Situation in Birgunj remains tense in following the death of the protester, reports added.
Sporadic clashes occurred around the town during the protest rallies organised by the MJF. An 11-hour curfew is in effect in Birgunj from 8 am. nepalnews peacejournalism.com
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99490
Terai sees see-saw of peace, protests; curfew continues in some regions
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 3 - Life is slowly returning to normalcy in most of the Madhesh districts although the ongoing protests continue and curfew orders have been continued in Birgunj, Inaruwa and Biratnagar on Saturday.
According to our correspondents, the Terai area is relatively peaceful as compared to yesterday.
However, the local administration in Birgunj clamped an 11-hour curfew from 8am to 7pm, stating that the tension there has not yet completely subsided.
The local authority has warned that it will follow the curfew orders more strictly today than the previous days. Scores were injured yesterday when protesters tried to defy the curfew order.
The police had arrested former Birgunj mayor Bimal Shrivastav and slapped a three month jail sentence against him.
Rastriya Prajatantra Party cadres today took to the streets in Birgunj against the arrest of Shrivastav who has been elected Birgunj mayor four time in the past.
Meanwhile, Nepal Pichada Barga Association, Jhapa today called off its three-day district strike slated to begin from tomorrow stating that the continued strikes had hindered sent-up examinations, citizenship distribution, and the voters' list collection in addition to paralyzing normal life in the region.
Likewise, fresh curfew orders were issued in Biratnagar this morning after the indefinite curfew clamped four days ago was lifted at 7pm yesterday. The local administration – considering the situation to be still volatile – again issued curfew orders, effective from 11am to 6pm.
Foggy weather since morning in Biratnagar kept most people off the streets.
Meanwhile, a goodwill rally was taken out from Shanti Chowk, Biratnagar-13, in which leaders of political parties, human rights activists, and civil society activists participated.
The state of indefinite curfew continues in Inaruwa, Sunsari as well. Issuing a press statement, the district-based offices of the Nepali Congress and Nepali Congress-Democratic urged the government to provide free treatment for the injured and proper compensation for the families of the deceased.
They also urged the government to address the demands of the Madhesi people immediately and requested both sides to find a way to resolve the problem through talks.
In Itahari, Sunsari, transportation services in both long- and short-distance routes resumed, and life is gradually returning to normalcy.
Similarly, the tensions have abated in Jaleshwore, Mahottari as well, though vehicular movement in the streets is still to be seen.
The locals in Rautahat are also gradually catching up with their daily routine. The shops and markets that were reopened yesterday in the initiative of civil society, industrialists, businessmen and leaders of various parties remained open today as well.
Janakpur Bazaar of Dhanusha, however, remained shut today.
Expressing their solidarity with the Madhesi movement, the Nepali Congress-Democratic and Nepal Sadbhawana Party-Anandi Devi today decided to take to the streets.
Protests started since early morning in Siraha, Lahan. The Madhes residents of Pahadi descent organised a rally to express their solidarity with the ongoing movement.
In Siraha, CPN-UML decided to participate in the protests from today to express their solidarity with the ongoing demonstrations.
Central committee member of the Madhesi People’s Rights Forum Krishna Bahadur Yadav expressed disapproval over the government’s decision to include a Madhesi leader in the talks committee. The government yesterday formed a three-member talks team headed by Agriculture Minister Mahantha Thakur.
Yadav asked the government to immediately replace the committee members with leaders of Pahadi descent.
In Rajbiraj, Saptari, a rally led by the Muslim community here was organised that traversed the town area.
Supporting the Madhesi movement, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rajbiraj Manoj Mundhadha requested the entrepreneurs to refrain from paying taxes.
Posted on: 2007-02-03 03:01:26 (Server Time)
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99494
1 killed, 20 protesters injured in Birgunj
Kantipur Report BIRGUNJ, Feb 3 - One protester was killed and 20 others were injured Saturday in clashes with police in Birgunj.
The clashes between protestors and the police flared up at Shripur and Bus Park areas in the town.
According to police, the incident occurred today after police opened fire in a bid to disperse angry crowd that defied the curfew orders at various city centers across Birgunj.
Police said Dipendra Sah, 40, of Madhuwan, Parsa was killed in the incident.
Seriously injured Sanjaya Sah, Birendra Pandit, Ram Ashish Pandit of Nagawa, Ranjit Rout of Bhisuwa, Chandreshwor Bhediar and Ram Babu Kushuwaha of Rajghatiya were airlifted to Kathmandu.
Likewise, a police inspector was also injured in the clash.
During the street battle, the police also fired teargas canisters at the demonstrators found defying curfew orders.
Injured protester dies
Meanwhile, Rajesha Thakur of Janakpur-4, who was injured during the Terai unrest few days ago, died today.
He was undergoing treatment in Dharan and died at Portahot of Dhanusa district while he was being taken to Kathmandu for further treatment, sources said.
Posted on: 2007-02-03 06:12:13 (Server Time)
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99562
‘Royalists’ loot, torch homes
BY SHIVA PURI
RAUTAHAT, Feb 4 - Thirty families have been displaced by alleged 'royalist vigilantes' who looted and set houses ablaze during demonstrations here by the Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF).
The alleged royalists, who infiltrated the protest rallies of the MPRF four days ago in Chandranigahpur, vandalized local houses before being faced with retaliation from the locals. However, they managed to loot 13 houses in Dumariya VDC-2 Bastipur and torch six of them.
District chairman of MPRF, Amar Yadav, issued a statement recently alleging the hand of royalist elements behind such incidents in Chandranigahpur and Bastipur. He claimed that royalists had infiltrated MPRF demonstrations. Houses belonging to Mitra Lal Pokhrel, Narayan Pokhrel, Dadi Ram Pokhrel, Mohan Pokhrel, Ishwor Timilsena and Ram Bahadur Pokhrel of Bastipur were completely gutted by the fire. The settlement has become totally deserted after the arson.
Local resident Bishnu Timilsena said that she fled with her newborn baby after scores of irate people started to set fire to her house. "They started setting fire to the house and told their people to loot all the houses of the Pahades," she said recalling the incident.
The group also looted over Rs 2.4 million in cash from 17 houses including those of Laxmi Pokhrel, Yubraj Timilsena, Him Lal Wagle, Nain Dutta Pokhrel, Rabindra Wagle, Khumraj Pokhrel and Nandu Pokhrel. The locals said that the group also took away cattle from the houses and smashed kitchen utensils.
Following the destruction, local human rights activists have installed the displaced at the house of Bijay Wagle of the same VDC.
Posted on: 2007-02-03 21:11:21 (Server Time)
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99589
Police firing leaves 3 dead in Malangawa, 21 injured in Birgunj
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 4 - At least three protesters were killed on Sunday in the police firing in Malangawa, Sarlahi.
The police opened fire at the protesters as they tried to take to the streets defying the curfew order.
Following yesterday's tensions in Malangawa and surrounding villages – Gamhadiya and Musaili – the local administration today had issued a curfew order so as to curb any untoward situation.
According to security sources, a protester died on the spot at Siva Sagar Chowk while another one died at the helipad when he was about to be boarded in a chopper. The third protester died on the way to hospital in Kathmandu.
According to the district hospital here, the deceased have been identified as Asik Ali Mikrani of Malangawa Municipality-4 and Ram Narayan Sah of Salempur VDC-3.
At least 16 others have been reported to be injured during the firing, however, the exact number of injured is yet known.
Four of the injured have been flown in to the capital in a chopper for further treatment.
Condition of two is critical, said sources. Someone from the protesters' side opened fire at the police first as the police tried to control the mob that had gone berserk, said SP Madhav Joshi.
The agitated mob then stormed the district irrigation office and vandalized vehicles parked at the office. The mob also vandalized some private houses.
The injured police personnel are undergoing treatment at the local hospital and some have been taken to a hospital at Sitamadhi, Bihar in India, said Chief District Officer, Sarlahi, Bhanubhakta Pokhrel.
Meanwhile, the District Administration Office Sarlahi gave continuity to the curfew order that was earlier effective till 8 pm today.
CDO Pokhrel said an indefinite curfew order has been issued in Malangawa Municipality and adjoined VDCs — Gamhadiya and Musaili.
Similarly, in Birgunj at least 21 protesters were injured this afternoon when police opened fire to disperse protesters advancing towards the District Administration Office (DAO) there. Condition of five of the injured is critical.
Earlier today, the district administration Birgunj had called off the 8am to 8pm curfew in Birgunj prematurely after thousands of participants of a mass meeting at Bahurwabhata, some seven km west of Birgunj, began marching towards the district headquarters.
The meet was announced by the Madheshi People's Rights Forum.
Prior to the shootout, the protesters had vandalized the statue of martyr Thir Bam Malla at Ghantaghar in downtown Birgunj at around 3:30.
Soon after, the protesters headed towards the DAO office.
According to security sources, the curfew was called off after it was felt that the security personnel in the area were inadequate to handle the large number of people converging towards the city center and since opening fire at such a large crowd would only serve to increase casualty rate.
Yesterday, a protester of Madheshi People's Rights Forum (MPRF), namely Dipendra Sahin Parsa 40, of Madhuwan Mathwal VDC-9 was killed and 20 others were injured during clashes with police in Birgunj.
Four of the seriously injured were airlifted to Kathmandu by an army chopper and admitted to the Bir Hospital for treatment, according to the Nepal Army Directorate of Public Relations.
Posted on: 2007-02-04 06:52:57 (Server Time)
http://actualidad.terra.es/internacional/articulo/amenazados_derechos_humanos_nepal_1371509.htm crónica nepal 04-02-2007
Amenazados periodistas, cooperantes y activistas pro Derechos Humanos en Nepal
La región de Terai, en el sureste de Nepal, es el último escenario en el que los periodistas han sido atacados por ejercer su profesión, mientras que trabajadores de la ayuda humanitaria y activistas de Derechos Humanos están amenazados. La zona vive un prolongado conflicto en el que el Foro de los Derechos del Pueblo Madhesi (FDPM) exige con continuas manifestaciones y protestas un incremento de los derechos políticos y una mayor autonomía para la región. Desde que comenzaran las protestas, el pasado 19 de enero, han fallecido 19 personas, 18 civiles y un agente de policía.
La violencia se cobró hoy la vida de tres personas en los enfrentamiento que un día más sacudieron la región. En Malangawa, la Policía disparo contra los manifestantes y acabó con la vida de al menos tres personas e hirió a varias más, informaron hoy las propias fuerzas de seguridad.
La muerte de los primeros activistas madhesi sólo incrementó las tensiones y ahora los manifestantes también piden la dimisión del ministro del Interior nepalí, Krishna Sitaula, a quien responsabilizan del excesivo uso de la fuerza de las fuerzas de seguridad.
Uno de los líderes madhesi, Upendra Yadav, exigió hoy una vez más la dimisión de Sitaula y de todos los funcionarios policiales que ordenaron disparar contra los manifestantes. 'No participaremos en ninguna negociación hasta que el ministro del Interior abandone el Gobierno. Sitaula es el responsable de los enfrentamientos ocurridos durante nuestras protestas pacíficas', apuntó.
El Gobierno, por su parte, creó el pasado viernes una comisión ministerial para intentar negociar con los grupos opositores.
PERIODISTAS ATACADOS
En la mañana de hoy cinco periodistas resultaron gravemente heridos durante una manifestación que se celebraba en la zona de Tanka Sinabari, cerca de la ciudad de Biratnagar, cuando los manifestantes les atacaron por, presuntamente, informar tendenciosamente sobre los acontecimientos, según informó la Federación Nepalí de Periodistas.
'La situación es cada vez más peligrosa para los periodistas, ya que son cada vez más numerosos y graves los ataques que sufren en una clara violación de la libertad de información', explicó el vicepresidente de la FNP, Shiva Gauli.
En los últimos veinte días de protestas, los manifestantes han atacado a 17 periodistas y cinco sedes de medios de comunicación. También han sacado a 15 periodistas de su lugar de trabajo tras amenazarles con asesinarles; han cerrado 34 periódicos a la fuerza y atacado doce vehículos pertenecientes a distintos medios de comunicación. 'Las agresiones a periodistas son muy preocupantes porque dificultan el acceso a la información', afirmó el secretario general de la FNP, Mahendra Bista.
Los rebeldes madhesi están atacando a todos los que tienen rasgos originarios de las montañas del norte, los conocidos como 'pahadis', etnia mayoritaria en el Gobierno nepalí. Los madhesi son nepalíes de origen indio y de religión hindú, mahometana o budista y su minoría representa un tercio de la población nepalí, de 27 millones de habitantes.
COOPERANTES Y ACTIVISTAS DE DDHH
Los cooperantes y trabajadores de ayuda humanitaria no pueden viajar a los pueblos y ciudades de mayoría madhesi porque correrían riesgos similares a los de los periodistas. 'Nuestro margen de movimiento ha quedado profundamente afectado y estamos preocupados por cómo proseguir con nuestras tareas en regiones en las que ya hay proyectos de reducción de la pobreza o mejora de los ingresos en marcha', explicó un responsable de Ayuda en Acción Nepal, Ram Sharan Sedhai.
Sedhai añadió que los manifestantes acusan a las ONG de no invertir lo suficiente en los madhesi y volcar sus esfuerzos sólo en los pahadis. 'Ya existe una crisis para muchos de los cooperantes porque no sabemos quién será atacado, ni cuándo', afirmó.
El conflicto de la región de Terai se ve empeorado por constantes huelgas, toques de queda y manifestaciones violentas. Además, las regiones más altas de Nepal ya están notando la escasez de suministros, ya que las llanuras del sureste son el único acceso por carretera a la región del Himalaya.
'Ya se ha notado un descenso de la actividad de las organizaciones humanitarias provocada por las tensiones de Terai. Hay preocupación por la seguridad de los cooperantes, ya que sus organizaciones han sido acusadas (por los líderes madhesi) de desviar la mayor parte de sus fondos a la región montañosa', afirmó el director para Nepal de la Agencia de Desarrollo Suiza, Joerg Frieden. La ADS es una de las agencias de desarrollo más importantes con presencia en el país y maneja un presupuesto anual de 13,1 millones de euros.
Los activistas de los Derechos Humanos también tienen motivos de preocupación, ya que tienen miedo incluso de identificarse como tales. 'La situación es realmente terrible para los defensores de los Derechos Humanos', declaró el director para Nepal de Amnistía Internacional, Rameswar Nepal.
Terra Actualidad - Europa Press
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99688
Vandalism, protests continue across Terai; curfew continued in Biratnagar, Inaruwa, Sarlahi
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 5 - The ongoing Madhesh unrest for a federal setup and proportionate electorate system among others showed no signs of abating on Monday with district administrations in Sarlahi, Inaruwa and Biratanagar extending curfew orders in various city centres. In Biratnagar, the Morang district administration imposed a seven hour curfew from 10am to 5 pm. Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Morang chapter today staged a protest rally there against yesterday's "deliberate attack" on five journalists and threats directed at journalists across the nation. The rally, which was also attended by intellectuals, human rights activists and civil society, converged into a mass meeting at Traffick Chowk where participants warned that they would boycott covering news of the ongoing Madhesh agitation led by the Madheshi People's Rights Forum, if the forum continued to violate press freedom. In Inaruwa, the local administration relaxed the indefinite curfew that was in effect there for the last few days from 5 am to 10 am this morning. The administration however re-clamped the curfew from 10 am to 4:30pm today.
Meanwhile, instead of reissuing curfew orders, the DAO Birgunj today issued a restriction order in the city, prohibiting any form of protests including rallies, mass meetings and sit- ins.Protesters torched three motorcycles in Siraha's Lahan, alleging the owners of defying the forum's strike. Likewise, students affiliated with the forum today vandalized a statue of poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya at Thanachowk of Siraha bazaar. Likewise, a "buffalo rally" was taken out in Siraha bazaar, while a cycle rally was staged in Bishnupur in the same district. Meanwhile, protest programmes began at Saptari's Rajbiraj, Topa, Bhardaha since early morning today. In Topa, protesters burnt effigies of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist Chairman Prachanda. On the other hand, the ten people who were abducted by the JTMM were released today. Likewise, Dhanusha's Janakpur bazaar remained closed today as well. One Shiva Shankar Yadav -- who had received injuries after an unidentified group attacked his tractor at the Mahendra Highway's Kisanpur while he was returning home after participating in the protests -- succumbed to his injuries yesterday. Yadav, a resident of Yagyabhumi VDC-2, died while undergoing treatment in Patna in India. With this, casualties of the Terai unrest from Janakpur have reached two. Claiming that there had been widespread infiltration of outsiders during the unrest in Dharapani, the locals had demanded an impartial investigation of what went on there. Janakpur Police Sub-Inspector Purna Chandra Joshi today informed that 11 persons linked with the Dharapani incident in the district have been arrested. The Sarlahi District Administration Office today gave continuity to the indefinite curfew imposed yesterday in the district headquarters Malangawa. Another protester injured during the police firing in Malangwa succumbed to injuries today. Dinesh Raya Yadav of Gamhariya VDC died while being taken to India for treatment. At least four protesters were killed in Malangawa yesterday in police firing after demonstrators defied curfew and turned violent. The administration also imposed curfew in Hariwan of the district and few other areas including some parts of the highway from 7am to 8 pm today.
Posted on: 2007-02-05 01:29:25 (Server Time)
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99691
JTMM cadres ransack police post, loot weapons, ammunition in Siraha
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 5 - Armed cadres of the CPN-M splinter-faction Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) attacked Lagdigariyani police post in Siraha and made away with 6 firearms and ammunitions therein Sunday night. According to SP Bhog Bahadur Thapa, as many as three dozen JTMM cadres armed with SLG rifles had attacked the post under the cover of darkness and looted four .3-0-3 rifles, a shotgun, a Chinese pistol and 600 round rifle ammunitions.
The ransacked police post, situated some 10 km south of Siraha bazaar near the Indian border, was manned by nine police personnel under the command of ASI Govinda Chaudhary.
Following the attack, all police personnel have left for Siraha district headquarters.
JTMM area in-charge Ajaya has taken responsibility for the incident.
Meanwhile, Jwala Singh faction of the JTMM today said that it had set all 10 people kidnapped from Saptari's Bawangawakatti yesterday free.
Front's Saptari in-charge Biwas Bidhrohi said that the 10 were released in presence of media persons.
Posted on: 2007-02-05 04:50:01 (Server Time)
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?nid=99689
Leaders of major four parties discuss Terai unrest
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 5 - A meeting of the leaders of the four major parties Monday was held at Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's official Baluwatar residence to hammer out solutions for the ongoing Terai unrest.
The leaders present at the meeting suggested the prime minister to make another address to the nation.
Sources said the leaders reached an agreement that the prime minister would make an address to the nation again so as to resolve the turmoil in the Terai region.
Attended by PM Koirala, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, CPN-M Chairman Prachanda and Bimalendra Nidhi from the Nepali Congress-Democratic, the meeting concentrated on finalizing strategies and policies to be adopted to seek an outlet to the Terai movement that has seen rampant street violence, vandalisms and deaths in the region. Nidhi was representing NC-D as party President Sher Bahdur Deuba is out of the valley.
Stating that the previous address to the nation by the prime minister did not comply with the Madhesi people's demands, the party leaders present at the meeting today urged the prime minister to address the nation again.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Wednesday had made an address to the nation but Maoists including other parties of ruling coalition government had expressed their dissent stating the PM's address to the nation did not come as per the understanding among the parties.
Sources said it is highly likely that the prime minister would make an address to the nation later today.
The leader of the four parties urged the PM to send a clear message to the agitating community and the nation as a whole in addition to demanding a thorough investigation into the extent of the damage inflicted on life and property in the region due to the violent demonstrations.
Nepali Congress General Secretary Ram Chandra Poudel said that the four parties had already reached an agreement of principles on the issue of resolving the Terai unrest.
Meanwhile, after the meeting, the leaders have planned an eight party meet to seek a general consensus regarding the plans and policies, after which they are likely to be publicised through PM Koirala's address to the nation, Baluwatar sources said.
However, it has not yet been decided if the meeting of the eight parties will take place today itself.
Meanwhile, a meeting of the central working committee members of the Nepali Congress is underway at the PM's residence whereas another major party in the ruling coalition government CPN-UML too has called a meeting of its standing committee members at its party headquarters. The meetings of the both the parties will mainly concentrate on the Terai issues, said sources.
According to UML leader Amrit Bohora, the UML called an emergency meeting noticing that all the major parties must take initiative to resolve the ongoing problems.
Nepal Sadbhavana Party-Anandadevi, which had decided not to participate in any meeting among the eight parties for issues other than the Madhesi movement, said that the party has not yet received any information regarding the eight party meeting.
Likewise, chairman of the Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party, Narayan Man Bijukchhe, said that the leaders of the top parties have not yet discussed anything with him regarding the Terai unrest.
Earlier this morning, some ministers assembled at PM’s Baluwatar residence and discussed the steps to be taken by the government to resolve Madhesi unrest.
According to Minister of Law and Justice Narendra Bikram Nembang, after it was decided that the leaders of the four parties would meet, the regular unofficial meeting of the council of ministers today was cancelled.
Posted on: 2007-02-05 01:50:07 (Server Time)
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=99796
Terai turmoil subsiding; curfew orders on in Biratnagar, Malangwa
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 6 - After more than two weeks of continuous violent protests, a majority of Terai is finally seeing some respite although curfew orders have been issued in Biratnagar and Malangwa.
Despite most of districts remaining peaceful, normal life continues to remain crippled in the region thanks to the continued closure of marketplaces and transport services.
The local administration in Biratnagar-- stating that the situation there was not under complete control yet -- today issued an eight-hour curfew order, effective from 10am to 6pm.
Meanwhile, the eight parties and the civil society began a rally this morning from Teentoliya and Madhumara in the Biratnagar.
The district administration office (DAO) Sarlahi issued an 11 hour-long curfew order from 7am to 6pm in Manglawa.
Locals in Malangwa, meanwhile, have decided to request the local administration to lift the curfew orders pledging to maintain peace and order in the area.
In Nawalparasi, the cadres of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) have taken eight Maoists, including parliamentarian Chinak Kurmi, into custody.
They have also appropriated a jeep (lu 1 kha 233) used by the Maoists who were making public announcements about a goodwill rally being organised by the eight parties. During the incident, two maoist cadres Sushil and Janak sustained serious injury after being beaten up by the forum members.
According to sources, the duo is being treated in Bhairahawa.
Following the incident, the eight parties issued a statement canceling the rally that was slated for this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Janakpur remained calm today.
Although a few minor protests occurred in the morning, the situation there was peaceful around afternoon, sources said.
Meanwhile, in Rajbiraj, Saptari, the seven parties, CPN-M and the forum staged separate rallies today.
The rallies of the Maoists and the seven parties converged to a mass meeting, where Nepali Congress MP Ram Kumar Chowdhary, CPN-UML district secretary Diwakar Devkota and CPN-M Saptari district deputy in-charge Dinkar expressed their solidarity towards the movement, all the while urging the forum to find solutions through talks. In Siraha, the protesters last night torched two vehicles.
According to the police, the agitators had set ablaze and completely destroyed a bus (Na 2 Kha 3410) and another tractor, which were parked in the district's Mesawe-Katari road, at 11pm last night.
Siraha bazaar is completely shut down today.
Fuel shortage hits Eastern region
The hilly regions of the Eastern development region have been hit hard by petroleum shortage in the wake of the ongoing Madhesi movement now in the third week.
The number of vehicles plying the Mechi highway has drastically dipped because of the shortage of diesel.
Although the vehicular movement has increased in the Fiding stretch of the Mechi highway following the three day "Limbuwan strike", the number of vehicles is still limited.
In desperation, some bus owners are running their vehicles with kerosene instead of diesel.
Likewise, Birtamod-Phidim buses have also remained off the road.
According to a Raju Shrestha, a bus owner, all the petrol pumps along the Mechi Highway are without any petroleum products because of the recent protests and strikes in the Terai region.
Posted on: 2007-02-06 02:51:45 (Server Time)
http://www.alactu.com/spip.php?article2938
Népal : le cortège du roi Gyanendra est la cible de jets de pierres samedi 17 février 2007, par Alex
Le cortège automobile du roi Gyanendra du Népal, qui se rendait au temple de Pashupatinath, à Katmandou, a été la cible de jets de pierres de la part de la foule. On n’a constaté aucun blessé.
Deux mille policiers avaient été déployées aux abords du temple et sur le parcours emprunté par le cortège royal, non en prévision d’éventuels troubles visant le monarque, mais par crainte de manifestations d’activistes hindouistes réclamant l’annexion du Népal à l’Inde voisine. D’autres forces de sécurité avaient été mobilisées et restaient prêtes à intervenir en cas de nécessité. Un officiel de haut rang du ministère de l’Intérieur avait indiqué, selon l’agence Reuters, que « quelques personnes pourraient créer des troubles » et que le gouvernement se tenait prêt à arrêter « quiconque essaierait de se livrer à des violences ».
Le roi a toutefois pu effectuer ses dévotions dans l’enceinte du temple, repartant au bout d’une heure, alors qu’une certaine tension était constatée aux abords de cet édifice consacré au dieu Shiva, situé à l’Est de Katmandou, sur les rives de la Bagmati, rivière sacrée censée avoir des vertus purificatrices. Durant la visite du roi à l’intérieur du temple, des slogans hostiles au monarque ont été criés à l’extérieur de l’édifice. Une foule estimée à 300 000 pèlerins était attendue dans la journée de vendredi aux abords du temple de Pashupatinath, à l’occasion de la fête dite du Mahashivratri.
L’impopularité du roi du Népal n’est pas une surprise et n’a fait que s’accentuer depuis son accession au trône le 4 juin 2001, à la suite du massacre, trois jours plus tôt, de la famille royale commis par l’un de ses neveux, héritier du trône, le prince Dipendra [1].
Le roi Gyanendra a succesivement renvoyé plusieurs gouvernements, les accusant d’incompétence dans al lutte contre la guérilla maoïste qui, depuis le début des années 1990, aurait fait plus de 13 000 morts dans le royaume himalayen. Le roi s’était octroyé, en 2005, les pouvoirs absolus, sans toutefois parvenir au moindre progrès dans la lutte contre les insurgés communistes. Plusieurs semaines de manifestations de rues et d’émeutes avaient fini par contraindre le roi à renoncer au pouvoir et à laisser le champ libre et à restaurer l’ordre constitutionnel.
Le gouvernement multipartite dirigé par Girija Prasad Koirala est parvenu, à l’automne 2006, à un cessez-le-feu avec « Prachanda » (nom de guerre de Pushpa Kamal Dahal, dirigeant du Parti communiste du Népal (maoïste) et de sa branche armée, l’Armée népalaise du peuple), signant un accord historique, le 21 novembre, aux termes duquel la guérilla maoïste est progressivement associée au pouvoir tandis qu’elle est censée déposer les armes. L’élection d’une assemblée constituante est également prévue, pour le courant de l’année 2007, la question de la forme ultérieure du régime restant en suspens.
Les maoïstes n’ont jamais caché leur désir d’une abolition de la monarchie dans le pays, mais ont renoncé à en faire un préalable pour l’acceptation de la paix. On note toutefois que l’avenir semble s’assombrir pour la monarchie dans le royaume himalayen. Le gouvernement a ainsi décidé, la semaine dernière, que l’effigie du roi allait disparaître des billets de 10 roupies [2], pour être remplacée par une représentation du mont Everest, ceci dans un pays où la personne du roi est traditionnellement considérée comme une incarnation du dieu Vichnou.
Plus tôt dans la journée, le roi Gyanendra avait essuyé une autre rebuffade, en n’étant pas invité, pour la première fois, à une cérémonie militaire au cours de laquelle il commandait habituellement la garde d’honneur, en sa qualité de chef suprême des armées. Ce rôle est échu, cette année, au chef d’état-major des armées, le général Rupmangat Katuwal, et on peut y voir un signe de prise de distance des militaires avec le monarque, l’armée ayant été sévèrement critiquée pour la répression qui avait accompagné la grève générale et les semaines d’agitation sociale au début de l’année 2006, avant le retour de l’ordre constitutionnel.
Notes : ↑ 1- Le prince Dipendra, à la suite du parricide commis contre son père, le roi Birendra et sa mère, la reine Aiswarya, survécut trois jours après s’être apparemment fait justice en conclusion du massacre commis durant un dîner au palais royal, au cours duquel sept autres membres de la famille royale avaient été tués et quatre autre blessés, tandis que la mère d’une des victimes était morte de saisissement à l’annonce du décès de son fils, oncle par alliance du meurtrier. Source : article « Dipendra of Nepal », sur al Wikipédia anglophone, dans une version du 12 février 2007. ↑ 2- Source : article « Cabinet approves PM’s address » du 8 février 2007, sur Nepalnews.com. http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar06/news11.php
Normal life hit in Terai as MJF resumes agitation
Normal life in the Terai plains has been badly affected as the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) resumed its indefinite general strike from today.
Marketplaces, education institutions and industries remain closed due to the general strike while vehicles remained off the road in main towns in Terai.
Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Mahottari, Morang and Sunsari Terai are the districts worst affected by the bandh.
However, the bandh has not effected Jhapa which has been declared as a strike-prohibited district by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries.
A report from Bara district said businesses partially opened in Kalaiya, the district headquarters, but academic institutions were closed. Only few rickshaws could be seen plying on Kalaiya-Birgunj road.
Various labour unions took out a rally in Sunsari district to defy the bandh called by the MJF. Labour unions affiliated with various political parties had participated in the rally.
The MJF has been continuing indefinite general strike in Terai region saying the government did not remove Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula to create conducive environment for talks to resolve the problems. The MJF has also been demanding that a high level committee be formed to probe the losses that occurred during the recent unrest. nepalnews.com pb Mar 06 07
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar07/news07.php
MJF bandh continues to hit normal life; protestors vandalise ambulance
The indefinite terai strike called by Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) continued to affect normal life in terai region for the second day on Wednesday.
The MJF resumed its strike from Tuesday after suspending it for three days during the holi festival.
Meanwhile, agitating activists of MJF vandalised an ambulance operated by local organisation – Gramin Mahila Jagaran Sanstha at Bansbari area of Morang district Wednesday morning.
Reports quoted driver of the ambulance Badri Shrestha as saying that MJF cadres attacked the ambulance on charges of defying bandh, while it was returning from Dharan hospital.
Ambulance drivers staged sit-in at district administration office Morang demanding security, after the incident. Sunsari, Sarlahi, Mahotttari, Dhanusha, Siraha, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Nawalparasi, Kapilvastu, Banke and Bardiya districts are affected by the general strike.
Activists of MJF have also obstructed roads in Kothapur area of Nepalgunj to enforce bandh. A dozen policemen were injured when bandh supporters attacked them in the area on Tuesday evening.
The MJF has been continuing indefinite general strike in Terai region saying the government did not remove Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula to create conducive environment for talks to resolve the problems. The MJF has also been demanding that a high level committee be formed to probe the losses that occurred during the recent unrest. nepalnews.com pb Mar 07 07
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar09/news12.php
One dead in Banke clash; 13-hour long curfew imposed
The local administration of Banke district in mid-western Nepal has imposed a curfew in Nepalgunj following the death of a person in a clash between local people and activists of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) Friday afternoon.
The dead has been identified as Tularam Tripathi of Khajura VDC of Banke district.
The local administration imposed the curfew beginning 3:00 pm Friday till 4:00 am Saturday after the MJF protests started taking violent turn.
Seven Armed Police Force (APF) personnel and eight MJF activists were injured in a clash near Ranjha Airport in Nepalgunj.
The clash occurred when the MJF activists started vandalising a vehicle escorting the APF officials, reports said. The police had fired several rounds of bullet in air to control the mob.
Even as spontaneous defiance is growing, the general strike called by the MJF has affected normal life in Terai districts today, the fourth day of the strike.
District headquarters of Bara, Parsa and Rautahat remained closed on Friday due to the bandh. Parasi Bazaar, the district headquarters of Nawalparasi, has also been affected by the bandh.
Likewise, MJF activists have burnt the copies of the interim statute in Lahan. Traffic was regulated with police escort along the Siraha-Saptari section of the Mahendra Highway, reports our correspondent.
A few shops opened in Biratnagar while industries and academic institutions remained completely shut.
Situation along the Bansbari-Duhabi section in Morang district remained tense due to the demonstrations held by the MJF activists. Long distance vehicles are plying in all districts but short distance vehicles are off the road in some districts.
However, traffic in Bardiya district has returned to normal and marketplaces have opened.
Though the government amended the interim constitution addressing the demands of MJF of federal structure of the state and to add constituencies in the Terai region as per the rise in population, the MJF has been continuing indefinite general strike in Terai region saying the government did not remove Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula to create conducive environment for talks to resolve the problems.
The MJF has also been demanding that a high level committee be formed to probe the losses that occurred during the recent unrest. nepalnews.com pb Mar 09 07
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar10/news07.php
Curfew re-imposed in Banke
District administration, Banke has extended the curfew for the next 12 hours in four VDCs on Saturday as well.
After the clash between local people and the activists of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) Friday, local authority had imposed curfew for 13 hours beginning 3 p.m. The clash left one dead.
After three hours of relaxation this morning, the district administration has re-imposed curfew from 7 am till 7 pm in Bageshwori, Indrapur, Khurdapur and Khajurapur VDCs .
The local administration said the curfew has been imposed to avoid any untoward incident due to the bandh called by the MJF.
The curfew has been imposed along the highway and areas 1km from the highway in Nepalgunj-Gulariya section. nepalnews.com ia Mar 10 07
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar12/news10.php
MJF calls off general strike
The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) has called off its indefinite general strike in Terai region.
Organising a press conference in the capital Monday afternoon, MJF leaders said indefinite general strike going on in Terai district has been withdrawn considering the crippling effect on normal life and education institutions. However, the strike in customs offices and lock-out of government offices and public gatherings will continue, a MJF press statement said. The Forum said it would call upon Madhesi people not to pay tax to the government unless their demands were met.
The MJF stated that it had taken positively the recent amendment in the interim constitution which guarantees federal system after the constituent assembly election and mixed- proportional electoral system and reconstitution of election constituencies in Terai based on increased population.
The three-point demand including Home Minister’s resignation remains unchanged, the MJF said.
Saying that the government failed to create proper atmosphere for talks to resolve the Terai problems, the Forum had resumed its agitations from March 6. It has been demanding proportional representation in the CA polls based on population and a federal system with self-determination.
The announcement to call off the general strike came as violent protests continued in some Teai districts. Over two dozen people were injured in clashes during a MJF protest in Nepalgunj of Banke district this afternoon. Nepalgunj and Inaruwa Municipality in Sunsari where violence has been reported are under curfew. nepalnews.com mk Mar 12 07
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar13/news12.php
Goodwill rally organised in Nepalgunj
A goodwill rally was organised on Tuesday after the district administration lifted the four-day long curfew in Banke.
Leaders of political parties, human rights activists, media persons, civil society leaders and the general people took part in the rally organised to bring the situation of the area to normalcy.
According to local journalists, more than 1,000 people took part in the rally that went through different parts of Khajura area where the district administration had imposed curfew for four consecutive days after the death of two civilians in a clash. The clash occurred between the locals and the activists of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) as the locals tried to defy the bandh called by MJF.
The participants of the rally chanted slogans for unity among the Madhesi and Pahade communities and restoration of peace and normalcy in the country.
On Monday, the people from both the communities had expressed commitment to fight against miscreants trying to disrupt the peace process by instigating communal violence.
Nepalgunj also saw communal violence in December last year. nepalnews.com ia Mar 13 07
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=103439
Madhesi, Pahade vow to stand united
BY J. PANDEY
NEPALGUNJ, March 13 - Madhesi and Pahade people in Banke district on Monday jointly decided to retaliate against miscreant groups attempting to disrupt peace and harmony between the two communities, thereby dividing them.
Locals of Indrapur, Khajurakhurd and Bageshwori VDCs, after the areas remained highly tense for the last four days, mutually united to fight against the recent communal violence in their areas involving killings, arson and looting. According to locals, they have already started searching for individuals involved in trying to divide the two communities.
Some of the "guilty persons" have already been identified of late, locals said.
Locals also said that the move to strengthen the bond between Nepali-origin communities was necessary as some "foreign nationals" too were seen actively involved in creating disharmony in their localities.
"We saw a few completely new faces and vigilantes involved in the Friday violence in our area," said Jagdabba Pathak, a local. "We are sure about the vigilantes involving themselves in the clashes, and we are hopeful of controlling the infiltration."
A joint mass meeting organized by Pahades and Madhesis in Manpur VDC on Monday, concluded that baseless rumors were spread to weaken the mutual ties between local communities, and warned locals not to believe the tittle-tattle spread in the villages.
Two locals of the two communities had died and shops and houses were torched, as clashes in the Bageshwori and Khajurkhurd areas took a violent turn Friday. Following the incident, the local administration had clamped a curfew two days ago, and it was in effect till Monday.
Meanwhile, the local administration has initiated collection of details of damage caused during the violence in those areas and distributed clothing, kitchen utensils, tents, blankets and other relief material to the riot victims, Monday.
Posted on: 2007-03-12 22:28:31 (Server Time)
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar14/news11.php
MJF activists go on a rampage setting offices to fire in Rangeli
Angered by the police move to open the locks at the government offices in Rangeli area of Morang district, the activists of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) set half a dozen offices to fire. They lit fire at postal office, Agriculture Development Bank, Rural Development Bank, among others. Papers and documents were burnt. Three motorcycles were also damaged.
Earlier the police had attempted to break the locks put in the offices by the MJF activists.
Following the incident, the entire southern area of Biratnagar has remained tense.
Although it has withdrawn bandhs and strikes, the MJF has announced indefinite closure of custom points and government offices in the region obstructing business and other activities. nepalnews.com sd Mar 14 07
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar16/news01.php
Two policemen hurt in a clash in Birgunj
Two Armed Police Force (APF) personnel and some demonstrators were injured during a clash between cadres of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) and police near Ghantaghar area in Birgunj on Thursday.
The clash occurred as MJF activists were protesting against the detention of 35 MJF activists from a relay hunger strike and obstructing the customs office at the Miteri Bridge in the Indo- Nepal border area.
MJF activists vandalised and set ablaze the office of the Internal Revenue Department, Fuse Department of the NEA, Birgunj sub-metropolis ward number 9 office and Nepal Telecom during the Birgunj bandh (shut down) called by them on Thursday evening protesting police intervention in their sit-in.
Police constables Khem Bahadur Thapa and Dhan Bahadur Katwal were injured in a clash between police and the agitators. Police fired teargas shells to disperse the agitators.
Police arrested six youths, including Raj Kumar Turaha, Sohel Yadav and Harindra Gupta, on the charge of vandalising public property.
The agitators smashed the windscreen of a tanker, which was heading towards Shreepur from Rakshaul under police escort.
In Dhanusha district, police arrested 11 MJF cadres for trying to padlock government offices.
People were affected after the MJF padlocked the government offices collecting taxes in Kalaiya, a report from Bara said. The MJF staged a rally in Kalaiya. nepalnews.com pb Mar 16 07
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar16/news07.php
Birgunj remains tense; six MJF activists injured in a clash
Birgunj remained tense on Friday as well following a clash between the protesting activists of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) and Police on Thursday.
Six persons including Parsa district vice-chairman of MJF, Birendra Yadav, were injured during a clash between police and activists of the MJF at Ghantaghar and Maisthan areas in Birgunj Friday morning.
All the injured persons are undergoing treatment in Birgunj-based Narayani Sub-regional Hospital.
According to radio reports, police fired in the air and fired some rounds of teargas shells to disperse the protesters when MJF activists tried to padlock Birgunj customs office.
Police released all the MJF activists, who were arrested Thursday when they were staging sit- in on Miteri Bridge . Two police personnel of Armed Police Force were injured during a scuffle between police and MJF activists on Thursday after the MJF activists tried to enforce Birgunj Bandh in protest of the arrest.
Though the MJF has called off indefinite terai strike, it has been continuing blockade in customs points in various parts of the country. nepalnews.com pb Mar 16 07
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar16/news09.php
Bandh hits Chure region; industries begin to close
The bandh (general strike) called by Chire-Bhawar Unity Society around the Chure belt since last two days has badly affected life there.
Marketplaces and highways remain deserted while industries and educational institutions were largely closed in districts like Dhanusha, Udaypur, Rautahat, Bara, Sarlahi and Mahottari due to the strike on Friday.
Passenger buses plying on the East-West highway have been stranded in Hetauda, Lahan, Chandra Nigahapur and other towns along. However, few local buses could be seen plying in the afternoon.
The Society has been demanding federal autonomy and right to self-determination.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) has said transportation of goods has been hit by the bandh.
In a statement on Friday, the FNCCI said revenue collection in Birgunj and Biratnagar custom points have been very minimal. The FNCCI further said many industries in the region are on the verge of closure due to shortage of raw materials. Few of the industries in Narayani zone have already been closed and more are likely to close from Saturday. nepalnews.com ia Mar 16 07
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar17/news06.php
Dozens hurt as MJF men clash with 8-party cadres in Birgunj
At least 30 persons including police officials were injured in a clash between the activists of Madhesi Janahikar Forum (MJF) and eight-party cadres during a “goodwill rally” orgnised by the latter in Birgunj Saturday morning.
The clash ensued after the MJF activists attacked the eight-party rally with batons, reports said. Some policemen were also injured while trying to control the violence between the two sides. The Young Communist League (YCL) of the Maoists had led the eight-party rally.
MJF activists also clashed with police at Maisthan and Ghantaghar in the afternoon.
They set fire to a police post established for the security of the Customs Office in Birgunj and also caused damages to an ambulance and a hotel in the area. nepalnews.com Mar 17 07
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/mar/mar18/news07.php
Seven-hour curfew in Kalaiya
The district administration of Bara imposed curfew in Kalaiya Municipality from 12:30 pm till 7:30 pm on Sunday following violence between the activists of the eight parties and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MFF).
There were reports of violent clashes between the eight-party cadres and MJF activists around the town in the morning.
Over 35 persons were injured in Kalaiya yesterday in confrontations between the two sides. nepalnews.com mk Mar 18 07
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2007/mar/mar21/news15.php
25 feared killed in clash between Maoists and MJF activists in Gaur; curfew clamped
The death toll in today's firing in Gaur has climbed to 25 after police informed that thirteen more bodies were also discovered in nearby Hajmaniya and Mudhbaliya areas. Earlier, reports had said at least 12 people including two women had been killed in a shootout between the Maoists and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) activists in Gaur, the district headquarters of Rautahat, Wednesday afternoon. Some unconfirmed reports say that Jwala Singh faction of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) has owned up responsibility for the shootout.
Nearly three dozen others were injured in the shootout. Some of the injured persons are said to be a critical condition.
Police officials said they were trying to confirm the identity of those killed in the incident.
Both the Maoist-affiliated Madhesi Mukti Morcha and the MJF had planned their mass meetings in the area at the same time. Maoist lawmaker Prabhu Shah and MJF chairman Upendra Yadav were to address their respective mass meetings.
The local administration has announced curfew from 2:45 pm today till 4 am Thursday in Gaur after the violence.
OHCHR condemns violence
Meanwhile, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR- Nepal) has condemned the violence between supporters of the MFJ and the Maoists in Gaur. OHCHR-Nepal also confirmed the death of 12 persons in the clash.
The UN rights body said quoting sources at the Gaur Hospital that some victims died as a result of head injuries caused by beatings with bamboo batons. Some of those admitted at the hospital are with serious head injuries. OHCHR said its human rights officers were in Gaur to investigate the incidents, including the causes of death.
OHCHR representative to Nepal Lena Sundh said, “I call on the leaders of the Forum and CPN-M at central and local levels to immediately take steps to end such unacceptable violence, and to ensure that differences are resolved through peaceful dialogue instead.”
“OHCHR also urges authorities to take all necessary steps to investigate the killings and other violent incidents and to hold accountable anyone found to be responsible,” she further said. nepalnews.com mk Mar 21 07
http://www.cpnradio.com.pe/html/2007/03/21/7/18.htm
Nepal: Toque de queda tras enfrentamiento que dejó 25 muertos
| CPN RADIO 21 mar| Autoridades de Nepal impusieron el toque de queda en la ciudad de Gaur, después que se registrara este miércoles un enfrentamiento entre ex rebeldes maoístas y partidarios del grupo étnico Madhesi, que dejaron al menos 25 personas muertas, informaron medios locales. La violencia entre el Foro de los Derechos del Pueblo de Madhesi, una organización que representa al grupo étnico que vive en las planicies del sur de Nepal, y los maoístas ocurrió en la ciudad de Gaur, 80 kilómetros al sudeste de Katmandú.
Funcionarios del gobierno dijeron que ambos grupos abrieron fuego unos contra otros causando muertos y heridos.
Naciones Unidas condenó la violencia y dijo que fuentes hospitalarias indicaron que algunas víctimas habían muerto por heridas en la cabeza causadas por golpes con palos. Añadió que decenas de personas habían sido hospitalizadas con heridas.
Considerando las muertes de hoy, al menos 56 personas han fallecido en las protestas organizadas por los activistas madhesi en los últimos tres meses.
La violencia ha opacado un proceso de paz entre el gobierno y los maoístas que busca poner fin a una década de insurgencia en la que han muerto cerca de 13.000 personas.
El grupo Madhesi reclama más puestos de trabajo en el gobierno y más bancas en el Parlamento para su pueblo, que vive junto a la angosta franja de la región de Teari, limítrofe con India y donde habitan casi la mitad de los 26 millones de nepaleses.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL38260.htm
Nepal town under fresh curfew after deadly clashes
22 Mar 2007 04:49:33 GMT Source: Reuters By Gopal Sharma
KATHMANDU, March 22 (Reuters) - Hundreds of riot police patrolled a border town in southeast Nepal on Thursday to enforce a new curfew after bloody clashes between Maoists and an ethnic group left at least 26 people dead, police said.
The clashes on Wednesday between former Maoist rebels and the Madhesi People's Rights Forum in the border town of Gaur, 80 km (50 miles) south of Kathmandu, were the deadliest this year.
Both sides attacked each other with guns and bamboo sticks after a row over the selection of the same venue for public meetings, officials said.
"We have imposed a fresh day curfew to avoid more hazards and violence," Kuber Kadayat, a police official, said by telephone from Gaur.
"People are terrified and afraid about the possibilities of fresh trouble," he said.
At least 57 people have now been killed in protests organised by Madhesi activists since January as they protest for more government jobs and seats in parliament for their people, who live along the narrow strip of the Terai region bordering India.
The protests have overshadowed a peace process between the Maoists and the government to end a decade-long insurgency in which more than 13,000 people have died.
Bipin Gautam, a human rights activist, said blood stains, shoes and belongings left behind by the people had littered the dusty town after the clashes.
"It was like a battlefield," Gautam said of Wednesday's clashes. "People from both sides were chasing each other with batons and suddenly there was an exchange of gun fire," he said.
Maoists blamed supporters of Nepal's sidelined King Gyanendra for instigating trouble to derail the peace process. Most of those killed were Maoist supporters, Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara said.
The Madhesi group said the Maoists started the trouble by scheduling a meeting at the same venue where it had planned a public rally.
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2007/mar/mar22/news01.php
Gaur toll climbs to 28, curfew continues
At least 28 persons including five women have been killed in the Gaur incident on Wednesday when activists of Maoists and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) clashed with each other.
Twelve bodies were found at the major clash site at the Rice Mills ground in Gaur while fifteen more bodies were discovered in Hajmaniya and Mudhbaliya VDCs - four kilometers away from Gaur city in Rautahat district. Another dead body was found at Sisruwa area of Gaur municipality.
The incident occurred after 1 pm at the Rice Mills ground where both the Madhesi Mukti Morcha affiliated with the Maoists and MJF had planned to hold their separate mass meeting.
In the afternoon, the MJF and Morcha had taken out separate rallies in Gaur city. After their rally entered the ground, the MJF activists vandalised the podium erected by Morcha, says reports. Later when Morcha activists entered the ground, they also vandalised the MJF's podium. Both podiums were some 100 meters apart. Reports say that after the Morcha activists started vandalising the MJF podium, fierce clash occurred and there was indiscriminate firing. Over 40 persons have been injured in the incident. Most of the dead and injured belong to Morcha, say reports. Injured have been taken to hospitals in Bharatpur.
Some unconfirmed reports say that Jwala Singh faction of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) has owned up responsibility for the shootout. Police officials said they were trying to confirm the identity of those killed in the incident.
Both the Maoist-affiliated Madhesi Mukti Morcha and the MJF had planned their mass meetings in the same area. The MJF had planned to hold the meeting in the area a week ago while the Maoists later decided to hold their meeting in the same area. Maoist lawmaker Prabhu Shah and MJF chairman Upendra Yadav were to address their respective mass meetings.
The local administration clamped curfew from 2:45 pm (Wednesday) till 4 am Thursday in Gaur after the violence. The local administration has further announced indefinite curfew after 9 am on Thursday.
MJF's vice president Kishore Kumar Bishwas has been quoted as saying that the incident occurred after the Maoist activists tried to disrupt their pre-planned programme.
On the other hand, Prabhu Shah, general secretary of Maoist-affiliated Morcha has claimed that majority of those killed in the incident were common people. MP of the interim parliament Shah has told media that five of the dead were members of Young Communist League (YCL) while seven were Morcha activists. He has also said there was no clash in the incident. The Kantipur daily has quoted senior Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai as saying that the incident was a calculated conspiracy against his party. "This is another Doramba. It is the conspiracy of regressive forces to push the Maoists back to jungle," he said. nepalnews.com sd Mar 22 07
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2007/mar/mar22/news09.php
Maoists to protest Gaur incident
The Maoists are planning to hold countrywide protests against the Gaur incident where 27 persons – many of them Maoist members – were killed on Wednesday in clashes with the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF).
According to radio reports, the Maoist spokesperson Krishna Mahara has informed that protest programmes will be held across the country. He said there were conspiracies to push the Maoists back to jungle. He also informed that the Maoists will make their official viewpoint on the Gaur incident public after their internal meetings.
Meanwhile, Maoist chairman Prachanda has accused that elements from across the border were used to attack Maoists in Gaur. He told journalists in Nepalgunj – on his way to Jumla - that most of the killed and injured persons were Maoist workers and general public. He demanded that the cadres and leaders of MJF be immediately arrested. nepalnews.com sd Mar 22 07
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2007/mar/mar22/news19.php
NHRC, OHCHR-Nepal launch probe into Gaur incident
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) have launched separate investigation into the death of 28 people in a clash between the Maoists and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) in Rautahat’s Gaur Wednesday.
A team of NHRC officials from the centre and the regional office in Janakpur left for Gaur today to investigate into the incident, a press statement issued by the NHRC said.
Similarly, the OHCHR-Nepal said its officials were collecting facts about the violence. OHCHR-Nepal chief Lena Sundh arrived in Gaur by a helicopter in the afternoon and inspected the incident site.
The death toll jumped to 28 by the afternoon while over two dozen others have been undergoing treatment at Bharatpur in Chitwan and Gaur. nepalnews.com mk Mar 22 07
http://actualidad.terra.es/internacional/articulo/koirala_proceso_paz_no_vera_1469721.htm nepal 22-03-2007
Koirala dice que el proceso de paz no se verá detenido, tras el enfrentamiento en el sur que dejó 27 muertos
El primer ministro nepalí, Girija Prasad Koirala, aseguró hoy que nada detendrá el proceso de paz iniciado en el país entre el Gobierno y los rebeldes maoístas, independientemente de la situación a la que se enfrente el país. La declaración se produce un día después de que enfrentamientos entre partidarios de los maoístas y miembros del Foro para los Derechos del Pueblo Madeshi se saldaran con 27 muertos.
Koirala se reunió hoy en Katmandú con una delegación del Parlamento Europeo en la que subrayó que pese a algunos disturbios registrados en el país recientemente, el proceso de paz culminará de forma satisfactoria. En este sentido, aseguró que las elecciones para la formación de la Asamblea Constituyente se celebrarán a mediados de junio.
La delegación europea se mostró particularmente preocupada por la situación en la región de Terai (sur), donde se ha producido una escalada de la violencia. A este respecto, Koirala dijo que se producirán mejoras en cuanto a la situación de seguridad en la zona en los próximos días.
Por otra parte, según informan los medios nepalíes, al menos 27 personas murieron ayer en los enfrentamientos entre miembros del Foro Madeshi y partidarios de los maoístas en Gaur, capital de distrito de Rautahat. Al parecer, la mayoría de los fallecidos son maoístas, pero por el momento este extremo no ha sido confirmado oficialmente.
Ambos bandos se enfrentaron por el lugar en el que pretendían celebrar sendas concentraciones en Gaur. Ambos grupos habían convocado sus encuentros a unos 100 metros de distancia, pero finalmente se produjeron enfrentamientos, durante los que se registraron disparos y se emplearon palos y cuchillos.
Entre las víctimas figuran varias mujeres. Además, hubo al menos 30 maoístas y cinco miembros del Foro Madeshi heridos durante el incidente, quince de los cuales se encuentran en estado crítico. Según han informado fuentes médicas, muchas de las víctimas fallecieron por golpes en la cabeza.
Las fuerzas de seguridad han pedido a los líderes de ambos bandos que contengan la violencia, al tiempo que han informado a la ONU sobre la posibilidad de nuevos incidentes. De hecho, las autoridades locales han ampliado el toque de queda de trece horas decretado ayer hasta las 15:00 horas de hoy.
Los líderes de ambos grupos se han señalado mutuamente como los responsables de los trágicos sucesos. Hoy, el líder supremo de los maoístas, Prachanda, instó hoy al Gobierno a que prohíba el Foro por los Derechos del Pueblo Madeshi y emprenda acciones contra sus dirigentes.
El líder maoísta, que calificó al Foro de 'organización criminal', advirtió de una nueva 'lucha' si no se prohíbe a este grupo. Prachanda dijo que había discutido sobre esta cuestión con el Gobierno para que emita una prohibición contra el Foro. 'Ya he hablado con el primer ministro al respecto', afirmó, añadiendo que 'el Gobierno ha dado garantías de que el Foro será prohibido y se emprenderán acciones contra sus líderes'.
Terra Actualidad - Europa Press