• UML Launches Democratic Awareness Campaign
• Movement Picks Up
• He Got his Loan Paid by his Lord!
• Committee to Monitor Ceasefire
• So-called Code of Conduct Draws Flack
• UML to Host a Tea Party
• Condemnation of the Beating of Civil Servant
• Discrimination in News paper’s Classification
• Dalits for Democracy
• Maoists Torture

UML Launches Democratic Awareness Campaign

Kathmandu: CPN UML is all set to launch a nationwide awareness campaign to lead the on-going movement towards the direction of democratic republic. For this purpose, UML has decided to send central representative to districts.

According to the Central People’s Movement Mobilisation Committee, the central representatives sent in districts will conduct local meetings, interactions, workshops and rallies until they return to Kathmandu to participate in the meeting of national activists scheduled for November 10. After internal preparations, UML will organize mass rallies in all 75 districts on 6 November.

Movement Picks Up

Kathmandu: When the king was touring army barracks—at the cost of national treasury—in the name of district tour, political parties continued protesting in the capital against his autocratic rule. Last week, the agitating parties diversified their movement in various parts of the capital.

Police forcefully intervened in the demonstrations arresting, beating and dragging hundreds of demonstrators. More than 300 women demonstrators were arrested following police intervention in the women-led rally held on 20 September. The participants also reported of police beating and sexual molestation.

He Got his Loan Paid by his Lord!

Kathmandu: Defamed Vice Chairperson of the royal government Dr Tulsi Giri who was blacklisted as bank defaulter, is relieved now. Analysts believe that his defaulted loan was paid by the king.

On 9 September, Giri’s company Himalaya Plastic paid 8.4 million rupees to Nepal Bank Limited. According to the Bank sources, Giri’s Company paid Rs. 103.5 million in installments. Six months after his nomination as Vice Chairperson, Dr. Giri had made public that he possessed only 116.64 grams of gold as his property. This begs the question as to how Dr. Giri could accumulate so much money after a few months of his pronouncement of poverty! Analysts claim that it should be the same person who made Dr Giri Vice Chairperson to pay this huge amount in order to elevate him from the quicksand of defamation.

Committee to Monitor Ceasefire

Kathmandu: A monitoring committee has been formed to monitor the unilateral ceasefire announced by the Maoists. The committee consists of respected individuals and members from civil society organizations. Coordinated by Nepal Bar Association President Shambhu Thapa, the committee has started its function from Monday. In the committee are former justices Laxman Aryal and Krishna Jang Rayamajhi, former minister Nilambar Acharya, NGO Federation President Dr. Arjun Karki, human rights activists Daman Nath Dhungana, Padma Ratna Tuladhar, FNJ President Bishnu Nisthuri and Vice President Shiba Gaunle, former FNJ president Harihar Birahi, Taranath Dahal and Nepal Medical Association Chairperson Shudha Sharma.

So-called Code of Conduct Draws Flack

Lalitpur: It is learned that NGOs are planning to take to the street to protest against the so-called code of conduct the Social Welfare Council is set to introduce.

NGO experts say that the Council initiative is aimed to control the independence of NGOs, which is against the spirit of the 1990 Constitution. Speaking at a programme organized by Snacharika Samuha, NGO Federation President Dr. Arjun Karki said that the proposed code of conduct should not be introduced. The code of conduct, if implemented, will see the closure of 99% NGOs operation now, he added. Women, Law and Development Forum Chairperson Sapana Malla remarked that NGOs should not be harassed to play their watchdog role when democratic values were at stake. Central Member of Nepal Bar Association Tikaram Bhattarai claimed that the Council did not have a power to frame a code of conduct applicable for the NGOs. He said, ‘No institution other than parliament has an authority to form a law.’
However, the Member Secretary of the Council informed that the code of conduct was not aimed to control the NGOs but to enhance transparency and discipline of NGOs.

UML to Host a Tea Party

Kathmandu: On the occasion of Dashain and Tihar, UML is hosting a tea party on October 18.
Political activists, diplomats, professionals, artists, journalists and leader activists of all walks of socio-political life involved in the democratic movement will be invited in the party. UML has established a trend of hosting such a party for nearly a decade now. Party Chairperson Man Mohan Adhikary used to coordinate such a party until his death. After that, General Secretary Madhav Nepal is coordinating the job.

Condemnation of the Beating of Civil Servant

Kathmandu: The Nepal Civil Servants’ Association has demanded a stern action against king-nominated Vice President Ganga Prasad Yadav of Saptari who manhandled DDC Acting Local Development Officer Rabindra Wasti while he was in his duty.

Through a press release, the Association has condemned the series of lowly act and asked for the full guarantee of civil servants. Following this inhuman act, Sagarmatha Zonal Administrator Ram Kumar Subba—another royal nominee—manhandled Sunsari Chief District Officer Sarada Bhakta Paudel prompting the civil servants to close their offices in protest.

Discrimination in News paper’s Classification

Kathmandu: The Press Council Nepal has classified news papers in a discriminatory way. This has become a historically dubious and confusing classification.

The Council Members had asked for a scientific criterion for the classification. But the Council did not heed the suggestion. Rather, it acted as an agent of the current regime discriminating Chhalphal, Hank, Tarun and Ghatana ra Bichar, the papers that have stood against the February One royal coup.

It needs to be noted that following February One coup, the weeklies, including Budhabar, were not paid state advertisement subsidies because they published advertisement supporting public welfare.

Dalits for Democracy

Kathmandu: CPN (UML) Standing Committee Member Modnath Prashrit said that Dalits should actively participate in the inclusive democratic movement led by seven political parties. These remarks were made at a programme organized by the Nepal National Oppressed Students Union. Lal Bahadur Bishwakarka, the Chairperson of the Society for the Liberation of the Nepal Oppressed Castes, noted that it is the kings and great ginks who pushed Dalits to such a situation they are now. He added Dalits would not get freedom as long as kingly rules would continue. National Dalit Commission President Bhagawat Bishwasi asked all Dalits to participate in democratic movement.

Maoists Torture

Tehrathum/ A group of Maoists abducted and manhandled ANNFSU Central Alternative Member Chhatra Rimal going against the ceasefire announced by their Chairman Prachanda.

Rimal was abducted from his house in Jaljale on 15 September, and was released the same day after beating him mercilessly. CPN UML and ANNFSU have denounced this act of Maoists and called them not to indulge in any activity that would ultimately support autocrats.