Pictures speak on /conflicts and peace process

Manohar Kumar Koirala Nepal Nepal

My Country , My Pride

NEPAL

Mt Everest

Landlocked with unique Geographic Diversity Eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, are within its territory. Nepal

Area : Approximately 147,181 sq km, stretching 800km from east to west and from 90 to 230km north to south Population size: 29.5 million (July 2008 est.) Annual growth Rate: 4.5%. (2009) GDP per head: US$470 (Economic Survey 2008) where 3 out of 10 people live on less than a $1 a day Economic Resources

Major economic resources of Nepal are cheap labors, Tourism, Natural heritage /resources, forestry, carpet, cottage industries, agricultural products, herbs, cement and bricks. Diversity in Nepal Transportation Houses

Houses in Mountain Houses in Hill

Houses in Base of the hill

Houses in Tarai Houses in Tarai Diversity of Animals in Nepal Diversity of species in Nepal Diversity of people

Tribe people (lives in Himalayan People forest) : The Rautes

People of hilly region

Tarai People Urban People Nepal Nepal is a multi-cultural, multi-linguistic and multi religious country.

People with different social and racial group Nepalese are hospitable, lovable and peaceful Nepal

Rich Nepal: People with different religions Nepal's history can be divided into eight: • The Legendary • The Gopalas • The Abhiras • The Kiratis : Around 7 th Century • The Lichchhavis: started around 250 AD • The Thakuri Period • The Mallas: started around 12 th century • The Sahas: started from 1559 from Drabya Shah Toponymy of Nepal The word Nepal is first attested in the Atharvaveda Parisista Other, folk etymologies include: • "Nepal" may be derived from the Sanskrit nipalaya, which means "at the foot of the mountains“ • It has been suggested that the name comes from the Tibetan niyampal , which means "holy land". Toponymy of Nepal

• A third theory suggests that Nepal came from compounding the words NE , which means wool, and PAL , which means a tented house; a long time ago, Nepal used to produce a lot of wool and the houses were used to store the wool - hence the word NE- PAL. • The ancient chronicles report that a sage ( muni ) named Ne became the protector ( pāla ) of this land and the founder of its first ruling dynasty. The name of the country, Ne-pāla, therefore originally meant the land 'protected by Ne. Nepal

• References to Nepal in famous Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata, Puranas and also Buddhist and Jain scriptures, establish the country's antiquity as an independent political and territorial entity. • The Vamshavalis or chronicles, the oldest of which was written during the 14th century, are the only fairly reliable basis for Nepal's ancient history. Nepal

The modern state was formed with the by King on December 21, 1768. King Prithvi Narayan Shah was successful in bringing together diverse religio- ethnic groups under one national . Nepal Shah (King) family of Nepal

Rana (Prime minister) family of Nepal

240 years old Monarchy abolished in Nepal in 2008. Jung Bahadur, a strong pro-British leader, prevailed during the massacre and seized control of the country. He declared himself prime minister and began the Rana line of rulers and continued for 104 years (1846 to 1951). The history of peoples’ struggle for Democracy • The Rana autocracy was increasingly criticized in the late 1940s , particularly by dissidents residing in India. The political-reform movement, which was approved by the Indian government and directed by the newly created Party, won the support of King Tribhuvana Bir Bikram Shah.

• Friction between the Rana and Congress Party factions ended in November 1951 when Prime Minister Rana was removed from power and the Congress Party formed a government The history of peoples’ struggle for democracy cont…… • During the ruling period of King Mahendra after the death of Tribhuvan, seized absolute control of the government in 1960 after a decade of political unrest . • King Mahendra dismissed the government and suspended parliament . The king proclaimed a new constitution in 1962 that banned the formation of political parties and allowed for the autocratic rule of the king through a nonparty system of councils, or . The history of peoples’ struggle for democracy cont…… • During the time of King Birendra after his father Mahendra anti monarchist sentiments grew in the late 1970s and serious challenged his authority , the king relaxed his control over the government and endorsed the liberal Pachayat system which was called improved Panchayeti system.

• Elections under the new provisions were held in 1981 and 1986. After a wave of pro-democracy protests in early 1990, a new constitution providing for a multiparty system was adopted in 1990 during King Birendra period that made him popular in Nepali society. The history of peoples’ struggle for democracy cont……

Political stability remained out of reach. In February 1996, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) started a bid to replace the parliamentary monarchy with a people's new democratic republic, through a Maoist revolutionary strategy known as the people's war , which led to the . The history of peoples’ struggle for democracy cont…… • By the end of December of 2000, the insurgency has taken the life of an estimated 1600 persons (unofficially the figure goes as high as 13,000 dead.) Independent observers say that police has killed more innocent civilians in fake "encounters" than the Maoist guerrillas. The police administration is also accused of extra-judicial killings in captivity and disappearance of persons under custody. The history of peoples’ struggle for democracy cont…… • The Maoist insurgency-hit areas cover 165 of the 205 parliamentary electoral constituencies of Nepal. The insurgency has directly affected the lives of roughly two-thirds of the 24 million people of Nepal. • The successive failures of government’s police operations in Maoist insurgency clearly showed that the insurgency was taking momentum with substantial popular support. This was no longer simply a law and order problem. The history of peoples’ struggle for democracy cont…… • In early June 2001 King Birendra and eight other members of the royal family, including Queen Aiswarya, were fatally shot in the royal palace in Kathmandu

• King’s own families' subsequent death officially made his brother Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah the new regent of Nepal . The history of peoples’ struggle for democracy cont…… • The Maoist insurgency intensified following the massacre, fueled in part by unsubstantiated conspiracy theories surrounding the incident. • In the face of unstable governments and a siege on the in August 2004, popular support for the monarchy began to decline. • On February 1, 2005, Gyanendra dismissed the entire government and assumed full executive powers, declaring a "state of emergency" to nullify the revolution. Politicians were placed under house arrest, phone and internet lines were cut, and freedom of the press was severely curtailed The history of peoples’ struggle for democracy cont…… • In April 2006 strikes and street protests in Kathmandu forced the king to restore the parliament. • A seven-party coalition resumed control of the government and stripped the king of most of his powers. As of 15 January 2007, Nepal was governed by an unicameral legislature under an interim constitution . • On December 24, 2007, seven parties, including the former Maoist rebels and the ruling party, agreed to abolish the monarchy and the first session of the Constituent Assembly was held on 28 May 2008 declare Nepal a Federal Republic , thus ending a 240-year old monarchy. The history of peoples’ struggle for democracy cont……

• Finally, on June 11, 2008 ex-king Gyanendra left the palace. • Moist paved their way to establish peace process

• Dr. Ram Baran Yadav of the Nepali Congress became the first president of the Federal Democratic Republic (FDR) of Nepal on July 23, 2008. Similarly, , popularly known as Prachanda , of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) was elected as the first Prime Minister on August 15, 2008 The history of peoples’ struggle for democracy cont…… • Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala , the interim head of state of Nepal; who lead a democratic front composed of parties that supported and promoted liberal democratic principles and aspired towards the establishment of a long-term democratic form of government in Nepal and was nominated for the Nobel peace prize by the Nepalese government to honor his special role in resolving the Maoist conflict in Nepal; passed away.

• After the demise of GP Koirala , who was the senior politician and was respected by all parties for his invaluable contribution in facilitating the peace process of the country, all parties till date are finding difficulties to come in conclusion in detecting way of peace process. The history of peoples’ struggle for democracy cont…… • Since the establishment of the FDR Nepal, neither the stable government has formed nor the constitution assembly is in position to develop new constitution for Nepal.

• Different parties have desired to address their problems in the newly developing constitution. Similarly massive advocacy and protest are rallied by different religions, castes and ethnic groups to place their identity in the upcoming constitution. Movements Conflicts between different groups with different identity viz. caste, religion, ethnicity, geography etc started

Different ethnicities based parties and their movements Movements

Different ethnicities based parties and their movements Movements

Protest from different sectors and communities Impact of conflict

Conflicts between lower caste and upper caste in same community and ethnicity started and many lower caste people forced to leave the village.

Displaced family Internally Displaced people Victim of police crime Impact of Conflicts

Protest of media persons against freedom of speech and victimization Religious Conflicts

Bomb blast in church Seriously injured Hindu Impact of conflicts Due to no stable government there is no enforce of law and regulation. Corruption, bravery, girl trafficking, drugs, smuggling and other crimes are increasing. Human right and security is rapidly declining.

Increased Murder, Corruption, Girls trafficking, smuggling, Drugs Impact of conflicts • It is reported that in Nepal at the plain region () about 20,000 families displaced from the southern part to the northern part for security reason • Because of massive internal displacement, girl trafficking, prostitution and other crime increased • Many Nepalis migrated to India and gulf countries to seek the job. • Health of the people gradually getting worse and Maternal and child mortality increased Impact of Conflicts

Conflicts between Tarai based and hill/mountain based people Disturbed harmony of society in SRCD area • The whims of conflicts between different groups with different identity also affected at the SRCD area which turned in demonstration and street fights between the Tarai people usually called as Madhesi (indian originated) and Pahade (Hill/Mountain originated) people . • Due to open border between Nepal and India many Indians with vested interest entered into Nepal to fuel the conflicts Disturbed harmony of society in SRCD area

• Massive demonstrations and street fights were taken among the communities in many places . some people were killed and many other wounded in the fight.

• During such street fights , nobody used to sleep at night due to fear of attack in respective communities . Movement of people were restricted within their communities resulting difficulties in daily life. Disturbed harmony of society in SRCD area • Women, elderly people and children were ready with local weapons to face unenviable circumstances.

• Community people did not get basic services (health care facility, other public facility, etc due to transportation restriction) almost a week. Intervention of SRCD to restore the Harmony within working areas

• Two representatives from head office of SRCD, Kathmandu arrived at (Mills area) where the situation of the peace was deteriorated • Conducted staff meeting and made the strategic intervention plan at Branch office in Biratnagar • Information to held a meeting sent to key stakeholders (different political leaders of different parties, senior citizens from different wards, social workers, society of citizen, teachers, secretary of wards, representative from business persons, representative from health institution, religious leaders, security police etc) Intervention of SRCD to restore the Harmony within working areas

SRCD representative visiting the conflicted area and discussing with the local leaders for the peace process Intervention of SRCD cont….

• A meeting with all representatives was held and a detailed discussion on pros and cons of conflicts were held. Representatives presented at meeting were committed to restore the harmony in their respective communities from their sides.

• SRCD formed a committee involving local representatives to take necessary actions to maintain peace and harmony within the respective community. Intervention of SRCD cont….

• SRCD supported committee to develop different activities by organizing meeting regularly for 3 days.

• SRCD coordinated with security police and they agreed to support in establishing peace in coordination with committee

• Committee organized peace rallies (3 episodes) and speeches were delivered in different corners of the communities by inviting different local leaders to remind the local people to revive their friendly environment and social harmony to avoid unwanted disturbances. Intervention of SRCD cont…. • At the guidance of SRCD the newly formed committee visited Indian boarder (Jogbani, Bihar) and organized meeting with leaders of different political parties and security polices where they discussed on recent incidence of conflict and requested the Indian parties to support in bringing peace near by boarder, so that local people can have their free movement to normalize their daily life.

Supported SRCD in peace corner at the street organized by an Indian NGO at India Nepal border during conflict Biratnagar Intervention of SRCD cont…. • The Indian party heartily welcomed the request of the committee led by SRCD to support in bringing the peace across the boarder and to maintain the normal flow in the market for Nepalis, thus the normality was restored • After the fruitful meeting with the Indian parties, committee organized peace rally with the help of local people at the boarder area to spread message about the restoration of peace and free movement across the Indian boarder Achievement

Thus SRCD was highly successful in maintaining the peace and Harmony in its working areas. Other Intervention strategy of SRCD cont…. After bringing normalization in the coverage area, other intervention strategies were taken by SRCD • To build confidence among the people of in respective communities, health education and health camps were organized in coordination with Public Health Office, Primary Health centre and youth club

Health camp in conflict area organized by Street theatre performance in SRCD / Public Health Office /PHC and Youth conflict area organized by SRCD club Other Intervention strategy of SRCD cont…. • Volunteers were exchanged from one community to other to run the health camps and health education to discard mistrust in each others. • SRCD also organized street theatre performances and folk songs in the communities for relaxation to create conducive environment to lead normal life.

Health Education through street theatre Health Education through Folk song performance in conflict area Jatuwa Biratnagar Linkage with other NGOs

• The successful message of maintaining peace was spread widely that made NGO working in Kathmandu FUND Board / IDC requested SRCD to support 7days training on conflict management for Community Trainers and community workers in Eastern districts of Morang, Ilam and Saptari.

• Other NGOs (APEC Nepal, Insec) working in peace also invited SRCD to share the experiences and lesson learned. Training activities in Saptari District

Conducting training session by SRCD in Rajbiraj, Saptari District Training activities in Saptari District

Presentation by the participants After the completion of the training Community visit by the trainee

Discussion for restore harmony with the community people by the trainees after getting training in Saptari District Demonstration to produce constitution draft in time

Demonstration by Bar Association

Demonstration by Insec, Free citizen Society, SRCD, Integrated youth forum, Eastern Human Right Network Different strategy organized by SRCD/ SPM to restore peace and harmony

Wishing program between different ethnic group in color-day festival in Biratnagar