Sunday, September 02, 2007

No To Terrorism: Terai Army Is A Criminal Outfit


Series of blasts rock capital city; two killed, over 25 injured Simultaneous blasts occurred at three busy areas in the capital city Sunday evening, killing at least two persons and injuring over two dozen others. ..... Tripureshwor, Sundhara and Balaju areas around 4:15 pm ..... blasts in Tripureshwor and Sundhara took place at bus stands. .... Seven students of Bishwo Niketan Higher Secondary School, who were waiting for their bus, were among those injured ..... Anisha KC, a student of Bishwo Niketan, was killed in the blast ..... Another bomb went off inside a microbus near Balaju Industrial Estate, Balaju, injuring over a dozen passengers. The microbus operating on the Ratnapark-New Bus Park route was completely destroyed in the powerful blast. ...... A leader of the little known Terai Army telephoned Avenues TV, a Kathmandu-based private television channel, and claimed responsibility for the blasts, but this is yet to be verified independently.

Maoist soldiers engaging in war with the Royal Army soldiers, I disapproved of, but that was one thing. Killing innocent people going about their lives is a totally different matter. This is terrorism. The Terai Army did not do this for the Terai people. They do not speak for the Terai people.

This was wrong. This was a criminal act. All Madhesi parties and groups should dissociate themselves from this outfit, and should condemn these blasts as should all Pahadi parties and groups. There is no room in Nepali politics for terrorism.

Madhesi grievances are for real. But there is no grievance the Madhesis have that does not have peaceful political outlets. The ultimate solution of breaking the country into two can also be had peacefully. Actually peacefully is the only possible way to get it. I don't support the idea. But I am just making a point.

Killing and injuring school children and regular people going about their daily lives is not the way to Madhesi liberation. That only delays Madhesi liberation. That only makes Madhesi liberation less possible.

We Madhesis are destined for more than equality. We are destined to rule over all of Nepal. Through the ballot box. And that too quickly. That is the way to go. There is no room for violence in the Madhesi Movement.

These acts of terrorism are new of their kind. It is not possible for any responsible Madhesi outfit to do business with this group. The Terai Army should be isolated and marginalized by both the armed and unarmed Madhesi groups.

These acts of terrorism are not political, they are criminal.

When I read the headline, my first reaction was the royalists did it. The same people who threw bombs at Devendra Pandey and Krishna Pahadi's place did it. Even now I am keeping my options open. We don't know for sure who did it. But if there be any evidence the royalists were behind this, that they are trying to disrupt communal harmony in the country so as to disrupt the all important November 22 elections, then the country must be declared a republic immediately.

Those royalists, Hindu supremacists call themselves Defense Army, this group is calling itself Terai Army. Why do the names sound so similar? It is possible for regressive elements to operate without any direct knowledge of the royal family. They represent a small segment of the political spectrum.

It is entirely possible some regressive elements are fishing in the muddy waters. It is possible some ethnic groups are getting funds from regressive elements.

On their part, the government has also made things from bad to worse. It was a big mistake to not treat the Madhesi Kranti with respect as soon as it happened. It has been a big mistake to not engage Jwala and Goit in respectful dialogue. It is still not too late. When you engage the Madhesi Maoists in respectful dialogue, you isolate groups like the Terai Army. If the government will not, the Madhesi Alliance parties should. (The Madhesi MPs And The Idea Of A New Party)

Ridiculous Bahun Poudel
Talk To Goit

In The News

Ethnic bodies suspend talks with government Claiming that the government did not show willingness to address their issues, an umbrella organisation of ethnic bodies has announced indefinite suspension of the negotiation. The Federal Democratic National Front (FDNF), which is an umbrella body of Limbuwan, Khumbuwan and Tamasaling associations, has decided to walk out of the dialogue process following informal chat with the government talks team on Saturday. ..... Rabindra Thing, central leader of FDNF, told Nepal FM that they have decided to "unilaterally suspend the talks indefinitely.' ...... Thing said, "On our demand of ensuring the ethnic autonomy equipped with right to self determination to chalk out 13 provinces in the interim constitution itself, the government responded that they wanted to go by the recommendation to be submitted (to the Constituent Assembly) by the proposed State Restructuring Commission." ...... "Likewise, on our demand of fully proportional representation-based election system, the government team said they had already decided to go for mixed system. And on our third major demand of declaring federal republic in the interim constitution, the government side could not give clear response. Therefore, we see no rationale in holding talks," Thing added. The FDNF was to hold talks with the government team in Dharan on Sunday.
Hooch kills 9 more in Janakpur
Docs protest govt ‘apathy’ towards their demands; warn of stern agitation
Maoist cadres assault UML leaders
Govt-MJF deal was signed after consensus among parties: Poudel
YCL announces protest programmes
Prachanda says Maoists will take part in CA; Dr. Bhattarai wants 22-points addressed first

YCL try to snatch APF weapons in Kalikot; thrash ex-UML MP in Ramechhap Kantipur
Govt outlines 4-tier polls security plan five to 16 police personnel will be guarding ballot boxes at the polling centres on the day of the voting. .... a joint team of Nepal Police and the APF will be patrolling the areas. .... A strike force of the APF personnel will also be kept on standby to deter potential attacks at the polling centres. .... Aerial patrols will be conducted throughout the voting day. ... “all the choppers in the country be used for the election security.” ..... 80,000 temporary guards. .... The Maoists also want its People’s Liberation Army and the Young Communist League to be inducted in the election security plan.
Tharu front calls off protests
Maoists will take part in CA polls, says Prachanda Prachanda said no one should even imagine about the Maoists not taking part in the elections. ..... also clarified that the Maoists will not quit the interim government at this juncture. .... the previous eight-party alliance has ended. .... “not putting forth these demands as pre-conditions”.
Polls impossible sans 22-point prerequisites, says Dr Bhattarai
MPRF denounces Maoist objection to 22-pt deal Speaking at a function in Kathmandu Saturday, MPRF Chairman Upendra yadav, also demanded government's clear stance on the Maoist reaction to the agreement. .... When asked about the reports on division with the MPRF over the agreement, MPRF Chairman Yadav only said that reactionary elements were trying to mislead the people. ..... Yadav, however, asked the Maoists to forget about the past bitterness and act in a friendly manner. ..... Yadav hailed Thursday's agreement with the government as a milestone to build a nation free of regional, religious and ethnic discriminations. ..... Addressing another programme in the capital today, Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai accused the ruling Nepali Congress of staging a “drama of the agreement” by taking some MPRF leaders into confidence.
EC seeks review of ballot paper design the ballot papers for both first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional election systems ...... the EC has to arrange for separate balloting in a two-column table in separate colors for the FPTP and proportional election systems. ...... "If all 61 political parties that have been registered at the EC for the election want to contest the CA poll, the EC has to bring out a ballot paper that is more than a meter long," an EC official said, preferring anonymity. ........ design ballot papers in A3 size with more than two column tables, that would be technically and scientifically appropriate ....... "Otherwise the EC will have to design the ballot papers in a booklet format." ...... In 2005, while conducting elections in Afghanistan, the election commission there had arranged a seven-page long ballot paper. ..... before opting for electronic voting machines, India had to arrange ballot papers that were almost 70 pages long to accommodate over 1,500 political parties. Meanwhile, the EC has decided to expand the capacity of the Janak Sikchha Samagri Ltd by arranging for two modern wave machines to print ballot papers. ....... import machines with fast printing, numbering and perforating systems. .... the EC has to print over 40 million ballot papers of 241 different types.
Janakpur hooch death toll mounts to 7
शम्भु उम्मेदवार हुने नेपाल बार एसोसिएसनका पूर्वअध्यक्ष शम्भु थापा ..... 'मैले कुनै दलविशेषसँग कुराकानी गरेको छैन,' उनले भने- 'तर उम्मेदवार बन्ने योजना छ ।' मुख्य दलहरूसँग कुराकानी गरी साझा उम्मेदवार बन्न प्रयास गर्ने उल्लेख गर्दै उनले स्वतन्त्र उम्मेदवारीको तयारी गरेको बताए ।
कांग्रेसमा सरकारको आलोचना कांग्रेस -प्रजातान्त्रिक) ले संविधानसभा चुुनावका लागि घोषणापत्र निर्माणलगायत आवश्यक सम्पूर्ण तयारी गर्न आइतबार पार्टी बैठक बोलाएको छ ।
अमेरिका पलायन अमेरिकाको राष्ट्रिय झण्डालाई काटेर गञ्जी लगाए पनि हुने, हाफप्यान्ट सिलाए पनि हुने र मोटरमा फरफराए पनि हुने रहेछ । व्यक्तिगत स्वतन्त्रता जीवनको हरेक क्षेत्रमा पाइन्छ, कसैले कसैको चासो गर्दैन । हुँदा-हुँदा बाबुआमाले छोराछोरी तह लाउन नसके प्रशासनले तह लगाउँछ । कतिपय राज्यमा बन्दुक तरकारी किनेजस्तै किन्न पाइन्छ । ....... न्युयोर्क सहरमा वाषिर्क ५०० मानिस आपराधिक गतिविधिमा मर्नु ...... तर अमेरिकालाई अवसरहरू भएको देश भनिन्छ । .... त्यहाँ ग्ाएपछि दुःख भए पनि सुख भए पनि गएकाहरू उतै बस्छन् । बाहिरी मुलुकबाट जानेलाई त त्यति सहज जीवन छैन । ..... पूर्वी एसिया, ल्याटिन अमेरिका, अपि|mका सबैतिरका बाबुआमा छोराछेरीलाई त्यस देशमा पढाउन जग्गाजमिन बेचबिखन गरेर पनि पठाउने गरेका विषय त्यस देशका पत्रपत्रिकामा पनि आएका छन् ...... आजभोलि त नेपाली पनि अमेरिकाको ५० वटै राज्यमै पुगेका छन् ..... अवकाश पाइसकेका मानिस पनि स्टेसनमा डोनट बेचेर रमाएका छन् ..... एक युवाले भने, 'पढाइ र काम गर्दा गधाको जस्तो काममा जोतिन परे पनि नेपालमा हुँदा एक बोतल कोकाकोला खान बाबुआमासँग पैसा माग्न पथ्र्यो । यहाँ पैसा कमाउने अवसर छ । आफ्नै कार छ, बस्ने फल्याट छ आदि ।' बाहिरबाट त्यहाँ गएका विद्यार्थीलाई पढाइ धान्न र बाँच्न कठिन छ । परिवारका मानिससँग बोल्न फुर्सद छैन । तर पढाइ भने राम्रो छ । राम्रो काम पाएमा पैसा पनि राम्रो हुनसक्छ भन्ने आशमा दुःख स्वीकारेका छन् । अर्को युवाले भन्यो, 'म अहिले नेपाल र्फकन्न । त्यहाँ सधैं टायर बालेको, बन्द भएको, मारमार भएको र मान्छे मारेको खबरमात्र देखिन्छ ।' अर्कोले भन्यो, 'नेपालमा मोटरसाइकलमात्र चड्ने क्षमता थियो । कहिलेकाहीं बरालिएर हिँड्ने बानी थियो । यहाँ त काम गरेर पढेको छु ।' कसैले त लाजै नमानी 'केटी पनि अमेरिकाकै राम्रा छन्, पैसा पनि राम्रो छ' भने । केटीहरू पनि नातेदार भए पनि स्वत्ान्त्र रूपमा साथीहरूसँग बसेका छन् । ........ धेरैजसोले भने- स्वतन्त्रता छ, दुःख भए पनि नेपालमा भन्दा राम्रो छ । यता बाबुआमालाई अमेरिकामा छोराछोरी पढिरहेका छन् भन्न्ो शान छ । नेपाली केटाकेटी अमेरिकनजस्तै विवाहपूर्व सँगै बसेका छन् । ..... नेपालबाट पनि मानवधन र दिमागी शक्ति सुक्दै जाँदैछ ।
Janajati-govt Pact a Betrayal: NEFINS Himalayan Times The meeting of the federal council of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Students (NEFINS) has come to a conclusion that the 20-point pact between the government and the indigenous nationalities was a betrayal of the indigenous nationalities. "The pact was incomplete and intended to defuse the movement of the indigenous nationalities" .... The meeting also concluded that education department chief of the NEFINS Rajan Kumar Danuwar had gone against the spirit of the federation.
Maoists thrash ex-MP, UML men Maoists cadres also forced Nepali Congress Ramechhap district vice chairman Labshree Neupane to return from Okhreti VDC yesterday saying the Maoists won’t let Congress leaders to go to villages till NC decides on issue of monarchy. ...... Dhankuta: Maoists on Saturday garlanded Rastriya Prajatantra Party central member Hari Ghimire and RPP district chairman Tika Prasad Ghimire with shoes and paraded them around Dhankuta bazaar. ..... Maoist cadres and activists of its sister organisations — Young Communist League and All Nepal Women’s Association-Revolutionary — frog-marched Hari Ghimire and Tika Prasad Ghimire from the fourth district convention of the RPP where the former was to be the chief guest and the latter as programme chairperson. .... The Maoists said they did so to denounce RPP chairman Pashupati Shumsher Rana’s protest in the parliament against the nationalisation of the King’s property and palaces.
NC manifesto by Sept 27
Prachanda distances his party from SPA “It is the seven-party alliance and the CPN-Maoist, not eight-party alliance,” Prachanda told reporters at a tea-reception organised by Speaker Subas Nembang ..... Prachanda also made it clear that his party would neither run away from November 22 constituent assembly elections nor will it walk out of the coalition government. .... Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Poudel, ministers, ambassadors, diplomats and political leaders attended the reception.
MJF, Maoist cadres clash
FDNF unilaterally suspends talks with govt Nepalgunj, September 1: Activists of the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum today clashed with Maoist cadres while the latter were taking out a funeral procession around the town behind a jeep carrying the body of their cadre Nageshwor Raidas who was shot dead by unknown persons on Thursday. At least six persons from both the sides were injured in the clash that erupted at BP Chowk, said police. .... While the Maoists claimed that Raidas was murdered by the MJF’s youth organisation president Hiralal Lonia, the MJF claimed that the Moaists had abducted Lonia. .... The Maoists have denied the allegation. MJF activists were burning tyres at BP Chowk, demanding Lonia’s release. When the Maoist procession reached BP Chowk, an altercation ensued and a clash broke out, said eyewitnesses. The MJF activists had already blocked the road while the Maoists’ condolence meeting was being held at Dhambojhi. ...... Both sides pelted stones at each other. The funeral procession stopped and tension mounted in the area, with the market shutting down. .... The clash stopped after the MJF activists moved to one side. ..... Banke DSP Krishna Hari Sharma said none was seriously injured in the clash. The Maoists cremated Raidas’ body in the presence of a large number of armed police and civil police.

Prachanda says Maoists will take part in CA; Dr. Bhattarai wants 22-points addressed first NepalNews
PM alerts APF to stay prepared for election security
Upendra Yadav rebuffs CPN-M reaction on MJF-govt deal The MJF chairman, himself a Maoist until few years ago, said the Maoist position regarding the agreement is against the ongoing efforts for maintaining “national unity”.
13 die after consuming tainted liquor in Janakpur

Nepal Political Update: Latest Agreement and CA Election Blog.com.np Forget the Maoist reaction, the Nepal government-Madhesi Forum (MPRF) agreement is the best thing that has happened to the Nepali peace process in the past several months.

Friday, August 31, 2007

उपेन्द्र यादव: सरकार र फोरमबीच सम्झौता



सरकार र फोरमबीच सम्झौता

उपेन्द्र यादव

ऐतिहासिक जनआन्दोलन ०६२-६३ कै निरन्तरताको रूपमा भएको मधेसी जनताको आन्दोलनकोभावनालाई हृदयंगम गर्दै मुलुकमा लामो समयदेखि मधेसी, आदिवासी/जनजाति, दलित, महिला, पिछडा वर्ग, अल्पसंख्यक, मुस्लिम समुदाय समेतविरुद्ध केन्द्रीकृत एकात्मक राज्यद्वारा गरिँदै आएकोविभेदका सबै रूपलाई अन्त्य गर्न समावेशी लोकतन्त्र तथा संघीय ढाँचामा राज्यलाई पुनःसंरचना गर्दै मधेसी लगायतका सम्पूर्ण नेपाली जनतालाई एउटै राष्ट्रिय मूलप्रवाहमा समाहित भएर अघि बढ्ने वातावरण बनाउन नेपाल सरकार मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरमबीच विहिवार निम्नबमोजिम सम्झौता भएको

मिधेस आन्दोलनको क्रममा सहिद भएकालाई सम्मान गर्दै निजका परिवारलाई क्ष्ातिपूर्ति उपलब्ध

गराउने सरकारी निर्णयलाई तत्काल कार्यान्वयन गर्ने

मिधेस आन्दोलनको क्रममा घाइते, अन्ध-अपाङ्ग भएकालाई राहत उपलब्ध गराउने अझै उपचार हुन बाँकीरहेका घाइतेलाई तत्काल औषधोपचारको व्यवस्था मिलाउने

मिधेस आन्दोलनको सिलसिलामा फोरमका नेता तथा कार्यकर्तामाथि लगाइएका मुद्दा खारेज गर्ने

दिेशमा युगौंदेखि बहिष्करणमा पारिएका मधेसी, आदिवासी/जनजाति, दलित, महिला, पिछडा वर्ग, अपाङ्ग, अल्पसंख्यक समुदाय, मुसलमान आदि समुदायको राज्यका सम्पूर्ण संरचनाको सबै अङ्ग तहका साथैशक्ति, साधन स्रोतमा सन्तुलित समानुपातिक प्रतिनिधित्व साझेदारी गर्ने

रिाज्यको पुनःसंरचना सम्बन्धी आयोग तत्काल गठन गर्ने सो आयोगमा समावेशीय रूपमा विशेषज्ञरहनेसमेत व्यवस्था गर्ने

रिाज्यको पुनःसंरचना गर्दा नेपालको सार्वभौमसत्ता, राष्ट्रिय एकता अखण्डतालाई अक्ष्ाुण्ण राख्दैस्वायत्ततायुक्त प्रदेशहरूसहितको संघीय शासन प्रणालीको व्यवस्था गरिनेछ उक्त स्वायत्तताको अधिकार, प्रकृति सीमा संविधानसभाले निर्धारण गरेबमोजिम हुनेछ

मिधेसीको वेशभूषा, भाषा, संस्कृतिलाई राष्ट्रिय मान्यता दिने

निेपाल सरकारद्वारा गरिने सबै राजनीतिक नियुक्ति, वैदेशिक सेवा शिक्ष्ााक्ष्ाेत्र लगायतका सेवाका साथैआयोगमा समुचित समानुपातिक प्रतिनिधित्व गर्ने

मिुस्लिमका मुख्य चाडपर्वमा सार्वजनिक विदा दिने, मदरसा बोर्ड लगायत निजको जाति, भाषा, लिङ्ग, धर्म, संस्कृति रीतिरिवाज सुरक्ष्ाित गर्न कानुन तर्जुमा गर्ने

जिाति, भाषा, लिङ्ग, धर्म, संस्कृति, राष्ट्रिय तथा सामाजिक उत्पत्ति, राजनीतिक तथा अन्य विचारआदिको आधारमा गरिने सबै खाले विभेद अन्त्य गरी मानवअधिकारको पूर्ण प्रत्याभूति गर्ने

सिरकारी कामकाज, शिक्ष्ाा तथा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सम्पर्क गर्दा -) मातृभाषा

-) नेपाली भाषा -) अंग्रेजी भाषाको त्रिभाषीय नीति कायम गर्ने

दिलित समस्या समाधान गर्न

-) जातीय विभेद छुवाछूत गर्नेलाई कडा कानुनी दण्डको व्यवस्था गर्ने

-) दलितलाई निःशुल्क कम्तीमा अनिवार्य प्राथमिक शिक्ष्ााको व्यवस्था प्रभावकारी रूपमा कार्यान्वयन गर्ने

-) शिक्ष्ाा रोजगारीमा विशेष अवसर आरक्ष्ाणको व्यवस्था गर्ने

-) भूमिहीन दलितलाई आवासको लागि भूमिको व्यवस्था गरी वैकल्पिक जीविकोपार्जनको व्यवस्था गर्ने

निागरिकताबाट अझै वञ्चित रहेका नागरिकलाई नागरिकता प्रमाणपत्र सरल सुलभ तरिकाबाट वितरणगर्न नागरिकता टोली पुनः गाउँ-गाउँ पठाई नागरिकता समस्या समाधान गर्ने

मिधेस तथा विकट क्ष्ाेत्रलाई राज्यबाट प्राप्त राजस्व आम्दानीको बाँडफाँडमा सन्तुलित एवं न्यायोचितवितरण नीति अपनाउने

मिाओवादीद्वारा कब्जा गरिएका घरजग्गा सम्पत्ति फिर्ता गर्ने-गराउने क्रम जारी रहेको उनीहरूद्वारा कब्जा गरिएका हातहतियारसमेत हकवालालाई फिर्ता गराउने कार्यलाई तदारुकतासाथ अगाडिबढाउने

अिौद्योगिक उत्पादन वृद्धिका साथै देशलाई औद्याेगीकरण गर्न औद्योगिक सुरक्ष्ााको प्रत्याभूति गर्न औद्याेगिक सुरक्ष्ााबल गठन गर्ने

सिंविधानसभाको निर्वाचन निष्पक्ष्ा, शान्तिपूर्ण एवं भयरहित वातावरणमा सम्पन्न गर्न दुवै पक्ष्ाप्रतिबद्ध रहनेसंविधानसभाको निष्पक्ष्ाताका लागि वर्तमान व्यवस्थापिका-संसद लगायतले राज्यकोसाधन, स्राेत शक्तिको दुरुपयोग गर्न नपाउनेगरी रोक्न लगाउन आवश्यक व्यवस्था गर्ने

सिरकारी सञ्चारमाध्यम टीभी, रेडियो, छापा लगायत सबै अङ्ग तहमा मधेसी सञ्चारविद एवं पत्रकारहरूकोसञ्चार मन्त्रालयबाट नियुक्ति सरकारी सञ्चार आयोग, निकाय तथा प्रतिनिधिमण्डलमा मधेसीकोसमानुपातिक समावेशी सहभागिता गराउँदै जाने

मिधेसी युवा फोरम उपत्यका अध्यक्ष्ा जितेन्द्र साहलाई अपहरणकारीले अपहरण गरी बेपत्ता बनाएकोमा निजको खोजतलास विशेष अनुसन्धान गर्न खोजीदल बनाई यथाशीघ्र स्थिति सार्वजनिक गर्ने

मिधेसी, आदिवासी/जनजाति, दलित, महिला आदिलाई राज्यको हरेक अङ्ग तहमा समावेशीकरण गर्नआवश्यक नीति निर्धारण कानुनको तर्जुमा गर्न उच्चस्तरीय समावेशीकरण कार्यदलको गठन तुरुन्तगर्ने

अिल्पसंख्यकहरूको अधिकार सम्बन्धमा राष्ट्रसंघीय तथा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय मानवअधिकारकोमान्यताअनुरूप जातीय, भाषिक धार्मिक अल्पसंख्यकको अधिकारको संवैधानिक प्रत्याभूति गर्ने

मिधेसी जनअधिकार फोरमद्वारा सञ्चालन गरिँदै आएका विभिन्न आन्दोलन फिर्ता लिने

उक्त सहमतिलाई नेपाल सरकारले तत्काल गर्न सकिने कार्य तत्काल गर्ने तत्काल गर्न नसकिनेप्रावधानलाई उपयुक्त समयभित्र गरिसक्नेकार्यान्वयनका लागि आवश्यक कार्यका साथै रेखदेख गर्न समय-समयमा कार्यान्वयनको समीक्षा गर्न संयुक्त अनुगमन संयन्त्र निर्माण गर्ने

- रामचन्द्र पौडेल

संयोजक, सरकारी वार्ताटोली

- उपेन्द्र यादव

संयोजक, मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरम, नेपाल

नोट मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरम, नेपालले गणतन्त्रको स्थापना, समानुपातिक निर्वाचन प्रणालीजस्ता महत्त्वपूर्ण विषयलाई आफ्ना मागका रूपमा यथावत राखी संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनलाई उच्च प्राथमिकता दिई सहभागी भई यसलाई सफल बनाउन प्रयत्नशील रहिरहनेछ



In The News

Birgunj-Chittagong, Kathmandu-Kolkata corridors among 9 SAARC projects proposed to link South Asia Kantipur 1362-kilometre Birgunj-Kaatihar-Singhabad-Rohanpur-Chittagong with links to Jogbani, Biratnagar and Agartala, and a 1323 km Kathmandu-Birgunj-Kolkata/Haldia route. ...... the 180 kilometers road stretch connecting Kathmandu to Kolkata via the Indian state of Bihar has to be improved immediately, and a fast track needs to be developed from Kathmandu to Birgunj. ..... include Afghanistan. ..... the 1.5 billion people living in South Asia. ... Male-New Delhi and New Delhi-Islamabad aerial corridor. ..... Rail Corridor No. 5 between Colombo and Chennai, Ferry Service between Colombo and Cochin, and Colombo and Tuticorin .... a 6540-km rail link and an 1844-km road corridor to inter-connect South Asia. Altogether 10 ports, 2757-km waterways and 16 airports fall under this corridor.
Moonshine in Janakpur kills five
Maoists denounce govt-MPRF agreement; say it won't solve Madhes problems “The agreement has drawn our party’s serious attention as it is extremely objectionable, faulty, misleading and conspiring from the view points of both procedure and content.” .... the Constituent Assembly to be elected on November 22 will decide the nature, boundaries and rights of the autonomous states to be set up under the federal structure. ..... “Ignoring all other agitating groups in Terai and holding talks with only the Upendra Yadav faction
Ball in Koirala’s court, says Deuba Deuba Friday expressed dissatisfaction over the “delayed unification” UML condemns Kalikot attack Amrit Kumar Bohara condemned the Maoist act as “anarchic, non-political and undemocratic”.
स्वायत्त संघीय प्रणाली हुने
पुनःसंरचना भौगोलिक आधारमा’ पुनःसंरचना भौगोलिक आधारमा मात्र गर्नु उपर्युक्त हुने संविधानविद् डा. सूर्य सुवेदीले बताएका छन् । .... जातजातिका समस्यालाई क्षेत्रीय आधारमा हुने पुनःसंरचनाबाटै सम्बोधन गर्न सकिनेमा जोड दिंँदै उनले भने- 'अन्य प्रणालीमा जाँदा मुलुक जातीय तथा सामाजिक दुस्चक्रमा फस्न सक्छ ।' ..... 'पाँच विकास क्ष्ाेत्रलाई १०, १४ अञ्चललाई २८ गर्न सकिन्छ । जिल्लालाई पनि बढाउन सकिन्छ ।' ....... दलहरूमा अझै पुनःसंरचना हुन नसकेकोमा आश्चर्य राखे ।
मध्यस्थता गर्न तयार छौं ः मार्टिन राष्ट्रसंघीय मिसन अनमिन प्रमुख इयान मार्टिनले तराईमा सशस्त्र आन्दोलन गरिरहेको समूहले आग्रह गर्दैमा आफूहरूले वार्ताको मध्यस्थता नगर्ने स्पष्ट पारेका छन् । 'सरकारले पनि भन्नुपर्‍यो, मध्यस्थकर्ता हुन तयार छौं ।' ..... तराई जनतान्त्रिक मुक्ति मोर्चा गोइत समूहले लिखित रूपमा गरेको आग्रहबारे सुनसरीका डेढ दजर् नभन्दा बढी गैरसरकारी संस्थाका प्रतिनिधि र नागरिक समाजसित बिहीबार झुम्कामा मार्टिनले यसो भनेका हुन् । ..... उनले सशस्त्र समूह र आन्दोलन गरिरहेका विभिन्न संस्थाको माग जायज भएको बताए । उनले थपे- 'सरकारले आन्दोलन गरिरहेका समूहसित संवाद गरी निकास खोज्नुपर्छ ।' संविधानसभा निवार् चन सफल बनाउन र सुरक्षास्थिति मजबुत बनाउन सबै पक्षको सहयोग आवश्यक रहेको उनले बताए । ..... मार्टिनले संविधानसभा निर्वाचनको वातावरण बन्दै गएको पनि बताए । सुनसरी सदरमुकाम इनरु वामा स्थानीय निकाय, सरकारी कर्मचारी, निर्वाचन आयोगका जिल्लास्थित प्रतिनिधि र सुरक्षा निकायसँग पनि उनले छलफल गरे ।
संविधानसभा र माओवादी
सरकार र फोरमबीच सम्झौता
चासो संंंविधानसभा चुनावको जनताको चाहना संविधानसभा चुनाव सकेसम्म चाँडो होस् भन्नेछ । निर्वाचन आयोगले पनि निर्वाचनका लागि चाहिने सबै प्राविधिक काम सकिइसकेको बताएको छ । चुनाव सफल पार्न नागरिक समाज, गैरसरकारी संस्था र सञ्चारमाध्यम सक्दो लागिपरेका देखिन्छन् । ...... दस वर्ष भूमिगत भई सरकारमा सामेल माओवादीका क्रियाकलापले उनीहरूप्रति जनविश्वास फितलो बन्दै गइरहेछ

Prachanda sees conspiracy behind govt-MJF agreement NepalNews the agreement -- it is utterly objectionable and scandalous in terms of both the procedure and the essence ..... “The most objectionable thing,” Prachanda added, “is the 15th clause that pinpoints the CPN (Maoist) for ‘seizure of property’ and seeks ‘return’ [of the property]. .... The Maoists and the MJF are at 'turf war' in Terai plains for quite some time.
NC criticises Maoist acts; Deuba says elements in NC delayed unification have came down heavily against the Maoists accusing them of not abiding by the agreements reached earlier. .... the Maoists had been violating their commitments to return all the lands and properties confiscated by them during insurgency. .... urged the Maoist leadership to create environment for the return of IDPs to their original places and return their seized properties before the polls. .... drew attention of the government about the unimproved security situation in Terai districts and stop the ethnic tension. ...... there wasn't serious discussion on the issue of party unification during the meeting
UML will bring the NC and the Maoists to progressive mainstream, says Gautam the party's first public meeting ahead of November election ..... in New Baneshwore of Kathmandu. ..... date of November 22. Any one who tries to amend this date will be amended by the people of Nepal," said Shambhu Thapa, former president of Nepal Bar Association (NBA). ...... Although party general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal also attended the public meeting, he did not address as he was unwell.
Two kids killed in bomb explosion in Siraha
Maoists disrupt UML CA election campaign Maoists disrupted a public meet organised by Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) to campaign for Constituent Assembly (CA) elections in Siyuna bazaar of Raskot VDC in Kalkiot district on Thursday. ..... severely thrashed and smeared black color on the faces of UML district secretary Tularaj Bista, assistant secretary Kurmaraj Shahi and office secretary Dhir Bahadur Bam and others leaders and activists .... garlanded the UML leaders with shoes. ..... about 400 angry Maoists had barged inside the venue ... To protect themselves from Maoist assault the UML leaders and cadres ran to the nearby police station, only to find out that they were not safe there, too, as the Maoists cadres stormed the station and started assaulting them in a brazen disregard for the rule of law.
Unidentified gang kills Maoist in Banke
UML to hold public meet
NSP-A to initiate talks with Madhesi groups Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP-Anandidevi) has formed its talks team with the objective of holding dialogue with different groups active in Madhes. ..... The extended meeting of the central committee of the party, which concluded on Wednesday, decided to form a committee led by Bhogendra Thakur for the purpose. ..... Gobinda Chaudhary and Mahesh Prasad Yadav are the members of the committee. The committee will hold talks with different groups like JTMM, Madhesi Tigers and other factions operating in Terai.
Additional 30,000 security men required for election security: Home Minister

Thursday, August 30, 2007

The Madhesi MPs And The Idea Of A New Party





The Madhesi MPs who shut down the parliament for a month when they found out the ruling class had gerrymandered the 116 constituencies in the Terai so as to ensure the defeat of all current Madhesi MPs have been talking for months now to launch a regional political party. I have been in touch with some of the key figures in the discussions. I think that is their best option. I would even like to suggest a name: Madhesi People's Party. MPP. Or they could go for a more neutral name like Janata Dal to also attract the Dalit and the Janajati. But I think their chances of reaching out to the Pahadi Dalits and the Janajati is better once they are inside the constituent assembly.

The Madhesi Kranti was bigger than the April Revolution. The November election is going to be bigger than the Madhesi Kranti. The Madhesi people are awake now. There is going to be a pro-Madhesi wave in the Terai. The Madhesi MPs have the option to ride that wave by launching a regional outfit. The sooner they make the formal decision to launch the party, more time they will have to work to expand their organization. The organization is going to expand like magic.

Caste politics in the Terai are inevitable. And there is nothing wrong with that. It is good that there will be several Madhesi parties. That will be good for the Madhesi people. The parties will all compete for Madhesi votes down the line, and the Madhesi people will benefit.

But the three major Madhesi parties - the MJF, the MPP, and the Anandi - must form a Madhesi Alliance for the constituent assembly elections. For the 240 seats for proportional part, they don't have to agree. They can all compete with each other. But for the 116 seats to be directly elected, they must coordinate. If they could ensure there will be only one Madhesi Alliance candidate from each of the 116 seats, that would be best. The MJF could get 40, the MPP could get 40, and the Anandi could get 36 of the seats, or some similar combination. All sitting Madhesi MPs could thus ensure their continued presence on the national scene.

This seat arrangement could also create a Madhesi wave in the Terai that would be similar to the wave created during the Madhesi Kranti. I am confident the people will respond.

Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh

This has to be the one point agenda of the Madhesi Alliance, to be named Madhesi Morcha. All three parties must agree to this if there is to be an alliance at all.

This means parties and candidates - Pahadi as well as Madhesi - who are not behind the Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh slogan must be defeated in the Madhesh.

The best way to ensure an end to the Pahadi hegemony in the country would be to ensure a defeat of all the Pahadi bigwigs like Girija Koirala and Madhav Nepal who might contest from the Terai. You can not possibly be serious about the Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh slogan if you do not make defeating these people top priority. A fresh new chapter has to be written in Nepali politics. And you write that fresh new chapter by making sure these people go.

Churchill lost his seat after World War II. Girija kaun dyang ka mula hai?

If the Madhesi MPs can not break away from the Pahadi parties that tried to end their political careers by gerrymandering their constituencies, they will not have a right to win in November.

If the Madhesi leaders from the top Madhesi parties can not form a Madhesi Alliance, they will not have a right to face the Madhesi people with full confidence.

Armed Madhesi Outfits

They should all be approached, and they should be invited to become informal members of the Madhesi Alliance. They should announce a ceasefire to make the elections possible. They should extend full moral support to the Madhesi Alliance for the elections. In turn, the Madhesi Alliance will go into power and hold respectful dialogue with them in the aftermath.

Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh is what will also bring the armed Madhesi outfits into the mainstream.

साधारण बहुमतले सरकार बनाउँछ, दुई ितहाई बहुमतले संिवधान

संिवधान सभामा साधारण बहुमतले सरकार बनाउँछ, दुई ितहाई बहुमतले संिवधान।

No Party Will Get More Than 15% Of The Votes

Not the unified Congress, not the UML, not the Maoists. The Madhesi Alliance stands a good chance of emerging the largest single bloc in the constituent assembly and so will rightfully claim the leadership of the government to be formed after the November elections. And that is why it is extra important to defeat the top Pahadis in the Pahadi parties who might bother to contest from the Terai.

Nepal ka pahla rashtrapati mujhe ek Madhesi de do.

If you include the Tharus, as you should - ask Gachhedar, ask Biswas - the Madhesis are more than 40% of Nepal's population. The Madhesi Alliance could easily get two thirds of the Madhesi votes if a Madhesi wave can be created, and I see it very possible. Two thirds of 40-45%. That is 30% of the total votes.

The Madhesi Alliance should rule. If the Madhesi Alliance can be formed, and if the leaders do a good job of projecting themselves as the next ruling coalition, they will have no problem raising funds for the election. People will donate bountifully.

Cementing The Madhesi Kranti

This would be the best way to cement the sacrifices made by the Madhesi people during the Madhesi Kranti. The Madhesi MPs owe the Madhesi Kranti a Madhesi party. The Madhesi parties, armed and unarmed, owe the Madhesi Kranti a Madhesi Alliance.

जयप्रकाश गुप्ता: मधेस आन्दोलनका आग्रह
Phone Talk With Madhav Nepal, Hridayesh Tripathy
Hridayesh Tripathy
To: Koirala, Nepal, KC, Pokharel, Tripathy, Mahto And The Rest
Phone Talk With Hridayesh Tripathy
Hridayesh Tripathy In Delhi: Good News

On The Web

Kadima - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Kadima (Hebrew: קדימה, Forward) is a political party in Israel. It became the largest party in the Knesset after the 2006 elections, winning 29 of the 120 seats. ....... Founded November 21, 2005 ..... Kadima would not rule out a future coalition partnership with any Israeli political party or person. ...... they were setting up a truly "centrist" and "liberal" party ..... Sharon hoped to attract members of the Knesset from other parties and well-known politicians regardless of their prior beliefs provided they accepted Sharon's leadership and are willing to implement a "moderate" political agenda ...... Kadima was formed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon after he formally left the right-wing Likud party on 21 November 2005, to establish a new party which would grant him the freedom to carry out his policy of unilateral disengagement plan - removing Israeli settlements from Palestinian territory and fixing Israel's borders with a prospective Palestinian state. ...... The name Kadima, which means "Forward" or "Onward", emerged within the first days of the split and was favored by Sharon. However, it was not immediately adopted, and the party was intitially named "National Responsibility" ...... The title Kadima has symbolic meaning for many Israelis because it is associated with the battle-charge of army officers

In The News

MPRF strikes 22-pt deal with govt; gears up for polls Kantipur In a sudden and major development, the agitating Madhesi People’s Right Forum (MPRF) has called off all its protest programmes following a 22-point agreement with the government ...... the government agreed to form a commission to restructure the state along federal lines while MPRF accepted the mixed electoral system. .... “But, we have written a note (of decent), stating that we will go to the people with the major agenda such as a proportional electoral system and end of monarchy and establishment of a republic,” Yadav added. ..... Today’s agreement has not just ended nearly six months of agitation in the Terai, but has heightened the possibility of the November 22 elections actually going ahead. ........ The two sides have agreed to ensure a federal structure of the state with autonomy without affecting national sovereignty and integrity. However, the structure and rights of such states will be decided by the elected Constituent Assembly. ....... The government has also decided to provide compensation to the families of all Madhesi activists killed during the agitation by declaring them as martyrs and to provide free medical treatment to all injured. ........... It will also drop charges against the Madhesi leaders and activists. ...... The government has conceded to another major MPRF demand- proper representation of all marginalized communities in all state organs. An inclusive commission will be set up to work out the details. ...... the government will give national recognition to the dress, language and culture of the Madhesi community, sanction public holidays during Muslim festivals and give legal protect to people’s religious rights. ....... The government has agreed to adopt a “three-language policy” to recognize Nepali, English and the mother tongues for official work. ...... Dispatching teams to the villages to distribute citizenship certificates to those deprived of them is another important agreement. ..... Legal provision for free education up to primary level, reservation in education and employment and land to the landless to address the plights of the Dalits
Cabinet picks 21 envoys, new embassies in S Africa, Latin America, Canada
Deploy army for poll security if needed: MPs to govt
NC, NC-D yet to finalize unification process
NC, NC-D crucial meets today; unity drive hits new stumbling block A new row had surfaced as Deuba proposed the establishment side to forge the agreement at the center only after doing so at the district and regional levels. ...... The NC-D has proposed that it should get the position of the vice-president and the general secretary.
चुनावमा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय पर्यवेक्षण गराइने
बैधानिक मागलाई सम्बोधन गर्नुपर्छ ः मार्टिन राष्ट्रसंघीय मिसन अनमिन प्रमुख इयान मार्टिनले विभिन्न समूहका वैधानिक मागलाई सरकारले सम्बोधन गर्नुपर्ने बताएका छन् । सबै कुराको समाधान गर्ने उपयुक्त माध्यम वार्ता भएको उल्लेख गदै मार्टिनले यसैका माध्यमले सबैका मागको सम्बोधन हुनुपर्ने बताए । तराइको प्रभावकारी विकासका चुनौती र सम्भावनाबारे बुधबार यहाँ आयोजित कार्यशालाको समापनमा बोल्दै मार्टिनले शान्ति र विकास परिपूरक भएकाले शान्तिका लागि सघाउन आफूहरू लागिरहेको उल्लेख गरे । यतिन्जेल मूलधारमा नपरेको भए पनि मधेसीहरू भविष्यमा मूलधारबाट नछुट्ने उनले बताए । सम्बन्धित क्षेत्रका सरोकारवालाबीच क्षेत्रीयस्तरमा गरिने छलफलले शान्ति प्रक्रियालाई ऊर्जा दिने उनले उल्लेख गरे । यसैगरी राष्ट्रसंघीय नियोग ओचाका नेपाल प्रमुख माथ्यु कहानेले तराईको विकासका लागि अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय समुदायले पनि चासोका साथ हेरेकाले केही महिनामा तराइको विकासका लागि नयाँ कार्यक्रम आउने बताए । तराईको समस्यालाई वर्तमान राजनीतिक अवस्थाबाट अलग गरेर हेर्न नसकिने भन्दै समस्या समाधानमा सबैले गम्भीर हुनुपर्ने उनको भनाइ थियो । ..... डा. कृष्ण खनाल, डा. मीनाक्षी नेपाल, सीके लाल र वृषेशचन्द लालले कार्यपत्र प्रस्तुत गरेका .... मधेस आन्दोलनले उठाएका विकासका पक्षहरू, तराईको विकासमा महिलाको सहभागिता, तराईको विकास र राजनीतिक आकांक्षाजस्ता विषयमा प्रस्तुत गरिएको कार्यपत्रमा विषयगत रूपमा छलफल गरिएको थियो । ...... तराईको विकास र विविधताले भरिएको संशाधनरूको विकासका लागि पूर्वाञ्चल विश्वविद्यालयले गरेको प्रयासलाई प्रशंसा गरेका

Govt-MJF reach 22-pt agreement; MJF withdraws protests NepalNews The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) has agreed to the constitutional provisions of mixed electoral system for the upcoming constituent assembly election and has announced withdrawal of all the agitation programmes set by the central committee meeting held recently in Birgunj. ...... after the government agreed to meet most of the demands it had put forward. .... compensation to those killed during the Terai movement, guarantee of inclusion of Madhesis and other marginalised groups in the constituent assembly, autonomy to the states in the federal system to be designed by the constituent assembly ...... the family of those killed during the Terai movement would be compensated and public holiday would be given on Muslim festivals. ...... The cabinet earlier had decided to name the deceased as martyrs .... Yadav said his party would now concentrate on its election campaign.
Maoist leader accuses UML of being against ‘leftist unity’ his party is in favour of holding Constituent Assembly election on November 22 as scheduled, Baidya said, “But before that our 22 demands should be met. If not then we would be compelled to leave the government and start an intense struggle for it.”
NC forms committee to draft manifesto headed by Chakra Prasad Bastola and includes Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Narahari Acharya, Laxman Ghimire and Mahesh Acharya ..... decided to direct the district party committees to propose names of three candidates including one woman for the purpose of November elections.
JTMM commander killed in police firing A district commander of the Jwala Singh faction of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM-J) was killed in an encounter with police early Thursday morning in Kalaiya of Bara ....... Jamuna Singh

Govt, Limbuwan-Khumbuwan talks put off Kantipur Janak Chemjong, a member of the Federal Limbuwaan State Council (FLSC) talks team .... Chemjong said the government’s decision to cancel the second round of talks at the last hour “shows the government's conspiracy to deprive Limbuwan, Khumbuwan, and Tamwasaling of their right to ethnic autonomy.” "We have taken it as the government's dishonesty," Chemjong said. ...... Accusing the government of trying to invite internal conflicts and ethnic war, Chemjong added “it’s clear that the government is not serious about a federal set up in the country.” ....... Issuing a press release at 9 on Tuesday evening on behalf of the three ethnic agitating fronts, Chemjong warned the government to “mend ways and be responsible” or “be ready to face the consequences.” ..... Declaration of a federal republic prior to the Constituent Assembly elections on November 22, formation of autonomous Limbuwan and Khumbuwan states, ethnicity-based proportional electoral system as well as special rights to the minority groups are some of the key demands ...... The three ethnic fronts had formed a 17-member panel headed by member of Limbuwan Deepak Moyangbo a week ago after the talks venue was fixed in Dharan. ..... The talks panel had also issued a code of conduct for talks venue, prohibiting the members from carrying weapons, drinking alcohol and chant frivolous slogans

UN team says security situation hasn’t improved; urges firm commitment to timely polls NepalNews The United Nations Electoral Expert Monitoring Team (EEMT) in its second report submitted to the Nepal government has said the security situation in the country has not improved since its first visit ...... establishing an adequate security environment for the Constituent Assembly election will depend “not so much on the number of police or arms deployed, but on cooperation between political parties and clear instructions to their activists in the districts”. ....... stressed the need for immediate voters education, especially in the context of adoption of mixed election system in Nepal for the first time.
YCL cadres capture arms from police team
PM Koirala and Deuba talk about expediting Congress unity the two leaders have agreed to proceed with unification through their respective taskforces to settle the issue of unifying district/local level party units and sister organisations. During the meeting, members of taskforces of the parties – which were formed to negotiate the actual unificiation process – were also present.
Four killed in Birgunj during crossfire with police exchanged fire at around 1:00 a.m. near Sirsiya Khola of Birgunj ward no. 4. The police team was on patrol. .... Police suspect the armed persons could be members of dreaded gang led by Indian criminal Munna Singh. .. Robbery and looting in Birgunj have been rampant for last one year.
Sujata reiterates demands for Sitaula's resignation the country needs a different security strategy to ensure peaceful and orderly election. ... Sitaula will not be up to the task to provide security. .. Despite widespread calls for his agitation in the aftermath of Madhes agitation earlier this year, Sitaula has been able to continue in his office.
I fear local media could be misused during polls: Jitendra Raut the media have literally taken over the responsibility of publicity of the election. There have been no talks and campaigns on this issue from the political circle.
9 JTMM cadres, 7 Maoists arrested in Siraha; Jwala’s men abduct VDC secy
MJF stresses on federalism with autonomous provinces Chairman of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) Upendra Yadav has stressed on federalism along with autonomous provinces. ...... Talking to Nepal FM, on Wednesday, Yadav said, "We raised two main demands during our meeting with the Prime Minister on Tuesday. We said that federal system along with autonomous provinces should be ensured before the election. We also asked that the government declare those killed during Madhes agitation as martyrs." ..... Yadav said that the PM told him that he would consult with others over the issue of federalism with autonomy. "He did not speak about our second demand, though" ..... The MJF chief said that his party will wait till August 31 and hope that the government will address their demands by then. Otherwise, the MJF has already warned of another agitation in Madhes from September 6.
HBC FM resumes operation

MJF demands to be met after polls: PM Himalayan Times The MJF delegation, led by Yadav, this morning reached the PM’s official residence to “formally inform” him about their ultimatum to start a fresh peaceful movement from September 6 as decided by its central committee meeting held in Birgunj on August 22-23, and their demands to be fulfilled by the government. The MJF is for provision of full proportional representation system of election based on the population distribution, provision of autonomous state with rights to self-determination and democratic federal republic. ..... Forum secretary BP Yadav told this daily that the objective of the meeting was to formally inform and apprise the PM about the central committee meeting, its decision and the ultimatum to start a fresh movement.
Constituent assembly polls: Left, centre make all the right noises deciding who all will get party tickets ..... The nature of the manifesto will decide the party’s stand on democratic republic and ceremonial monarchy. ..... “The meeting will recommend as many as 480 candidates for party tickets,” said NC CWC member Laxman Ghimire. He added that it would also form a team to look into designing and preparing election related literature and see to it that the same reaches every constituency on time. The team could be led by any of the two general secretaries. ..... the election is 85 days away .... the political parties have only 31 days to submit “closed list” of candidates to the Election Commission. The parties have 16 days to finalise the candidates for first past the pole system of election
Pressure to unite mounts on Deuba The unification efforts now remain stuck at a point where NC (D) leader is insisting that the general secretary and vice president of his party be retained in their current capacity in the unified outfit, something which is not acceptable to the NC.