Democracy For Nepal

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Protests

Tom Pain Has Praise For This Blog

Carnival of the Revolutions

Paramendra Bhagat (a fellow New Yorker) at Democracy for Nepal works on strategy for his countrymen struggling to bring democracy to their troubled nation. I'm not too familiar with Nepalese politics, but what he's proposing sounds like civil disobedience along the lines of Tiananmen, but with a clearer behind-the-protest plan for structure and change. It looks like an uphill battle, given the current three-way fight between monarchists, Maoists (yikes!), and democrats. This revolution is truly a work-in-progress, and Bhagat's blog looks to me like the best way to follow it.

Tom, what can I say? I greatly appreciate this mention. This is the best explicit praise this blog has received to date. I am much obliged.

I derive satisfaction from the fact that this blog is political work, and has been a reference point for many individuals involved in the peace process in rather intimate ways. This is easily the most important political work I ever did.

Only earlier today I received an email from Madhav Nepal who leads the largest politial party in Nepal. I was rather touched by the good things he had to say about this blog. And then you show up.

Thank you.

Sugam Pokharel, Evansville, Indiana

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 08:04:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: "sugam pokharel"
Subject: Guy from Evansville
To: paramendra@yahoo.com

k cha dai, aramai hunu huncha malai ta daile birsi saknu bhayo hola...hami indian resturant ma khana gayeka thiyau ni...

ani dai ko photo haru herdai thiye...asti ko NY ko protest ko...ramro lagyo...photo herda herdai tapaiko website tira pani puge...web site pani sabai here.... tapaiko resume yek dum strong rahecha....tapaiko resume le chai yek dum impress garyo malai...

aj kal k gardai hunu huncha?....milyo bhane hamro university tira pasnu kahile kahi... la ta dai bye

Sonal Singh, Baltimore, Maryland

Subject: RE: nepal -democracy
Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 07:45:19 -0400
From: "Sonal Singh"
To: "Paramendra Kumar Bhagat"

Dear Paramendraji,

You can defintely web-publish the two papers as long as we quote the original source as both are published in open access journals amd free for distribtion

Singh S , Dahal K, Mills E " Nepals war on human rights - A summit higher than everest"Int J Equity Health. 2005 Jun 28;4:9.
http://www.equityhealthj.com/content/4/1/9

Singh S, Mills E, Honeyman S, Suvedi BK, Pant NP (2005) HIV in Nepal: Is the Violent Conflict Fuelling the Epidemic? PLoS Med 2(8): e216
http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0020216

I will have to request permission from the Canadian Medical Association Journal to web-publish the 3rd article
Singh S . Impact of long-term political conflict on population health in Nepal.
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/171/12/1499

Let me know what I can help in your endeavour

Kind regards
Sonal

Subject: nepal -democracy
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 21:29:32 -0400
From: "Sonal Singh"
To: paramendra@yahoo.com

Dear bhagatji,
I admire you efforts for democracy in Nepal through your website and blog and whole-heartedly support it

I have been doing some research on the impact of conflict and health and human rights in nepal and sending you the links

Sonal

Sonal Singh MD MPh(std)
Johns Hopkins University

CMAJ_Nepal_1499.pdf CMAJ_Nepal_1499.pdf (368k)
1475_9276_4_9.pdf 1475_9276_4_9.pdf (260k)
plme_02_08_singh.pdf plme_02_08_singh.pdf (330k)

In The News

Jailing of Nepal ex-PM questioned BBC News, UK
Lessons for tyrants Khaleej Times
Nepal Isolated After Feb 1, says Former US Envoy Himalayan Times, Nepal
Absolute monarchy is now an anachronism: Ms Bloch Nepalnews.com
‘In monarchy's interest, restore democracy’ Kathmandu Post
War disintegrates Rolpa families Kathmandu Post
‘Meet to oppose foreign intervention in Nepal’s affairs’ Gorkhapatra, Nepal
‘NSP firm on Constitutional Monarchy, democracy’ Gorkhapatra
Constitution obstacle fulfilling objectives of Royal takeover ... Nepalnews.com, Nepal
Political Problem, Political Solution Nepalnews.com, Nepal Within seven months, King proved how flawed people’s assumptions and hopes they pinned on him were...... People’s disappointment has reached a tipping point ...... This generation, thanks to the Internet, satellite television, and popular culture, has acquired an essentially western mindset. And most of them take the desirability of democracy as a given. The daily demonstrations in Kathmandu are proof of the fact that even though popularly elected representatives failed to yield remarkable improvements, more than a decade long but tumultuous democracy in Nepal has been able to produce a young, proud, self-assertive and yet deeply discontented generation who are prepared to endorse radical change for nation’s sake........ physical abuse towards those who are protesting through demonstrations proves the fact how weak, desperate and careless the government has become....... By visiting different parts of the country with heavy security, the king seems to be pretending of speaking for powerless people who are caught in between but the changing political scenario shows that it is he who needs people to speak for him.
Breaking the logjam Kathmandu Post, Nepal about 665 persons have been killed by the Maoists and the security forces between 30 April 2005 and 12 September 2005. Out of them, 374 were killed by the security forces...... When asked by journalists why student leader Rajendra Rai was re-arrested on 18 May 2005, Home Minister Dan Bahadur Shahi replied, "Did the Supreme Court order not to re-arrest him?" ..... There have been credible reports of unilateral cease- fire by the Maoists. The RNA personnel too have been provoking the Maoists....... Given the determination of King Gyanendra to cling on to power, there is no quick solution in sight...... Despite continued arms embargo, the United States' position keeps on changing.....
Parties-Maoists roadmap soon Kathmandu Post, Nepal Leaders of political parties, on Monday, said the seven political parties would soon hold formal dialogue to prepare a "roadmap" for peace...... "All political parties are informally discussing the roadmap with Maoists. It is heading in a positive direction and we will soon hold formal dialogue to give it final shape." ..... "If we hold formal dialogue and come up with a road map, the entire political tide will drift toward one side and the king will not be able to withstand even a single day"
Lessening of violence welcome: US Kathmandu Post, Nepal
Prohibitory order defiance continues Kathmandu Post, Nepal
House revival still top agenda: Poudel Kathmandu Post, Nepal a question raised by People's Front Nepal's Vice-chairman Lila Mani Pokharel, on the relevance of House reinstatement as the topmost agenda....... accused the king-led government of working to violate the ceasefire declared by Maoists. "It is planning a repetition of the Doramba massacre,' .... the present government has not only failed to respond to the ceasefire positively, but is also working to force the rebels to call it off.
Ceasefire fostering tourism prospects Kathmandu Post, Nepal
Zero sum game of politics Kathmandu Post, Nepal
King’s arrogance may put him at stake. Ex-US envoy Kantipur Online, Nepal either reach an agreement with political parties, or carry on as absolute monarch and end up possibly losing everything ....... Bloch made the remarks while addressing a select gathering of academics and journalists from Washington DC through digital video-conferencing on 'Nepal and the International Community', organized by the American Embassy here and the US State Department......... lambasted the government for issuing crackdown orders on political demonstrations .......
Parties making noise for republic on foreigners’ instigation Gorkhapatra, Nepal The leaders of the political parties think the people are behind them, but it is just their illusion, and they are trying to ignore the intimate relation between the people and the King, Dr. Giri commented......... foreign powers were flirting in Nepal both from 2007 BS to 2017 BS and from 2046 BS till now ....... He blamed that the country was pushed to the brink of disaster by burgeoning foreign loan, which was Rs. 29 billion before 2046 BS, and reached Rs. 2,045 billion in the last 14 years. He accused the political parties for pushing the country into the huge debt trap........... “How can there be consensus with conditions like reinstatement of the House of Representatives, constituent assembly, republic and interim government?” ..........
‘HM’s commitment to multiparty democracy is total, unflinching ... Gorkhapatra, Nepal
Reconciliation bet’n parties urged Gorkhapatra, Nepal
The government is accused of intimidation OhmyNews International, South Korea
Nepal journos flee for safety Indian Express, India
NEPAL: Pro-democracy demonstration in the US Asia Pacific Media Network, CA

Monday, September 19, 2005

Email From Madhav Kumar Nepal

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 10:40:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Paramendra Kumar Bhagat"
Subject: Re: Time For A Decisive Showdown: Take Over New Road
To: gamknepal@gmail.com

Madhavji.

Thank you for writing. Dhanyabad.

Bharkhar kehi samay pahile Bharat Mohanji sanga yahan bhent bhayo. I sent you photos.

Ahile mero lagi all Nepal all the time bhayeko chha. Full time jastai. I feel like this is the least I can do. Tapain haroo tyahan tyatro sacrifice gari rahanu bhako chha.

The vast majority of Nepalis here are totally behind the movement. We are totally with you. And with enlightened ehthusiasm.

Yo winter lai nirnayak banauna paryo. This regime should not see 2006.

I am totally with you and your seven party colleagues. A lot of us are.

http://demrepubnepal.blogspot.com/ visit gardai garnu hola. I will also email on a regular basis.

Yo aandolan euta pabitra kura ho. This is going to have major regional and global implications. Ma yahan ko Democratic Party lai tyahi convince garna tira lageko chhu. Howard Dean chairs the Democratic Party. I am on excellent terms with some people here in NYC who are on personal terms with Dean. Tara Republican Party lai panee neglect garne kunai yojana chhaina.

Ma tapain ko email mero blog ma publish garchhu. It will help the cause. I am assuming it will be okay with you.

If there is anything specific I can do down the line, please feel free to get in touch with me. Moral and logistical support dubai dine prayas chha yata bata. Ma personally nai lagya chhu. America ka college haroo ma grass roots fund-raising panee garne. Ra tyahi network prayog garera US Congress pani jhakjhakyaune. Tyo prayas chha. I am working closely with Charlie Szrom, president of Students for Global Democracy. We are in the early stages of chalking out the details.

Baroo seven party alliance ka top 20-30 jana neta haroo ko phone number haroo malai kripaya email gari dinu hola. Email bata sabai kura hundaina.

For now, I would like to emphasize the importance of formally deciding on one leader, the interim Prime Minister in waiting, as well the interim government in waiting. Unilaterally sarkar ghoshana garne thulo sambhavana maile dekheko chhu. After the movement reaches a critical point. That way we are less dependent on possible good behavior by the king and the monarchists. Unee haroo lai bad behavior ko banee lageko chha.

Thank you. On to victory.

Tapain lai, ra tapain ka sabai comrade haroo lai mero krantikari abhibadan. Hridayeshji, Rajendraji, Bimalji haroo lai pani maile sodhya chha bhandinu hola.

Paramendra.

--- "M. K. Nepal" wrote:
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 22:26:19 +0545
From: "M. K. Nepal"
To: "Paramendra Kumar Bhagat"
Subject: Re: Time For A Decisive Showdown: Take Over New Road

> Dear Mr. Bhagat,

> Thank You very much for sending materials and mails regularly to me. > Your > serious concern and intellectual input is really useful and inspiring > to me. > We need people like you who is all the time thinking about Nepal and > the > Nepali people. Your proposal in this mail is worth considerable with > some > amendment and reconsideration on some part. We are now working > seriously for > charting a detailed plan of going and mobiliging the people in large > scale > during this 2 months of time all over the country and then > concentrating > basically all the strength in the capital city -Kathmandu . We are > also > thinking to use the opportunity of the 3 months Ceasefire period for > renewing our relationship with the people and finding a comprehensive > > agreement with the Maoist taking the international community in > confidence.

> Your suggestions in this regard will be of great help.

> Thanking You Your's M.K.Nepal

> > On 9/19/05, Paramendra Kumar Bhagat wrote:

> http://demrepubnepal.blogspot.com/2005/09/options-for-maoists-and-democrats.html > >

http://www.paramendra.com
http://www.swapn.biz

Tulsi Giri Is Beyond Redemption

This guy Giri is beyond redemption. First democracy was in his way, and now the constitution is in his way. He says it is a choice between the monarchy and democracy, so say the Maoists. The Maoists and I say the 1990 constitution is the problem, so says Giri. Just when I was looking for some common ground.

This guy is such a hardliner that he actually has to leave the country whenever the country "deviates" away from an absolute monarchy framework. Giri is the poster child of everything that is wrong with the country, this king, and his father and ancestors.

Giri is the ultimate Rasputin.

This guy needs to pay for all those years BP Koirala spent behind bars.

The Truth And Reconciliation Commission should deal with him first before anyone else.

That the king should gravitate towards this weirdo tells one a lot about the character of the king.

Response To The Panchayati Ghost Tulsi Giri (March 18)

"I am not for democracy."

"It is a choice between monarchy and democracy."

"The government need not follow the present Constitution [Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990], as the political parties who formed it have already removed the term 'constitutional monarchy' and accepted a republic and Loktantra."

"The Constitution has always been an obstacle towards resolving the crisis."

"We failed to take action against Kantipur due to a provision in the Constitution which bars us from annulling the registration of the newspaper."

"We can only sentence the editor and publisher to a two-year jail term but even then they could be released on bail."

In The News

Journalist Rathore arrested NepalNews
Ceasefire monitoring committee constituted A meeting of eminent personalities, rights activists and professionals in Kathmandu on Monday has constituted a 22-member 'Ceasefire Civil Monitoring Committee' under the chairmanship of president of Nepal Bar Association Shambhu Thapa. Members of the committee include former Justices at the Supreme Court Laxman Aryal and Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, former minister Nilamber Acharya, former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana, president of Federation of Nepalese Journalist Bishnu Nisthuri, president of Nepal University Teachers Association prof. Bhupati Dhakal 'Kamal,' president of Nepal Medical Association Dr. Sudha Sharma, chairman of INSEC Subodh Pyakurel, president of Human Rights Organisation of Nepal Charan Prasai, prof. Birendra Mishra, Dr. Om Gurung, Sindhu Nath Pyakurel, Padma Lal Biswokarma, Harihar Birahi, Taranath Dahal and Shiva Gaule.
Over 100 professionals arrested from protest rally
Leaders, rights workers urge govt to reciprocate Maoist truce Dr Ram Sharan Mahat “The government must announce ceasefire immediately considering it as an opportunity to move towards peace.” "We are not talking about alliance; the Maoists are.” chairman of Janamorcha Nepal, Amik Serchan, said the king has no right to restore the parliament. He said, "It shall be decided by the supreme court." .... Serchan said that the seven parties' alliance is independently carrying out informal talks with the CPN Maoists. The Roadmap preparation for the talk is in the last phase...... those who can't tolerate the demonstrations in the streets couldn’t fulfill their responsibility in the peace talks. Dr Narayan Khadka of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) urged the CPN (Maoist) to extend their ceasefire..... The supporters are paving the king towards the road of the hell .....
A dozen journos flee Dailekh, Kantipur journo placed under ‘house arrest’
NC (D) flays government for ignoring ceasefire call
NRNs have mixed response towards the new ordinance
King likely to visit India Kantipur ...... the King has been seeking an opportunity to visit India, to discuss bilateral matters, including resumption of arms supply to Nepal ..... is awaiting a green signal from India
Maoists abduct 12 schoolteachers in Ramechhap
Demonstration And Mass Meeting In Delhi INSN
UML Democracy Bulletin 26
Jailing of Nepal ex-PM questioned BBC News, UK
India devises policy to tackle Maoists Reuters AlertNet, UK ..... through better police coordination and reducing poverty in affected areas ..... combine force with a soft approach .... Indian Maoist insurgents, who number around 9,300, say they are fighting for the rights of the rural poor and against feudal land owners and corrupt local officials who siphon off development aid...... Thousands of people have died in nearly four decades of Maoist violence including hundreds of policemen.
Melamchi Connection UWB ..... RCCC has leveled four charges in the case (1) tender call being made prior to the approval of cost estimates of the construction contract (2) acceptance of non-responsive (unqualified bidder) (3) keeping ADB under deception by not submitting the report of the Evaluation Committee that assessed the responsiveness of the bidders and (4) issuing the Letter of Acceptance to the contractor even before waiting for the report of the National Vigilance Center investigating on the irregularities in Melamchi Drinking Water Project....... Mr. Harish Chandra Shah, expected to be the brain behind RCCC is the husband of Ms Pratima Shah and Ms Shah is the relative of Mr. Mohan Bahadur Shahi who is the husband of King Gyanendra’s sister. Ms. Pratima Shah is also the local agent of Hanil Koneco who got the earlier contract to construct access road and was terminated in May 2004 for non-performance by the government of Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa. Mr. Harish Chandra was also a member of the investigation team of National Vigilance Center who was later kicked out a day ahead the report was to be submitted. Hanil Koneco is to be penalized for all additional cost incurred during the second contract work awarded to CCECC/Sharma/Lama Joint Venture by the Deuba Government. What is the relation of Ms Arzu Deuba with these Shahs and Shahis? How can Mr. Harish Chandra be an independent advisor to RCCC? Is not the personal stakes of the people involved are clear? ........ One of the partners of the joint venture company to whom Deuba awarded contract, Mr. Jit Tshering Lama, is the central committee member of Nepali Congress- Democratic...... Why no charges on Norplan? Did RCCC lost courage to charge Norplan? Is this the reason why Norwegians Embassy showed displeasure by curtail aid to Nepal? ...... Henceforth if RCCC verdict is to be set as legal judicial precedence in Nepal, no Prime Minister can issue “verbal order” to get work done. And all government secretaries cannot just describe/prescribe options in the tippani – s/he had to give decision to elicit “yes” or “no” response from the final decision maker. ...... If you are bored with this material, try reading RCCC verdict in one go.
Official Melamchi Verdict
Tear Gas: Bounce Back To Police UWB Today’s pro-democracy rally, started from Dilli Bazar, in the beginning seemed lavish and I thought that would wipe out police barricade and enter the restricted areas of Putalisadak and Baghbazar and Ratna Park. ..... Demonstrators took advantage of their ‘strategic location’, height of Dilli Bazar Chowk to hurl stones at police situated in the low point of the road. ...... protesters, dispersed by the tear gas, entered inside the houses of Bada Guruju, king’s chief priest. Army personnel stationed there for security flushed them out of the compound by point gun at the protestors. Then angry protestors burnt abandoned telephone cable on the main road...... The army in the priest’s house must have informed about that to their headquarters. And from there to the Armed Police Forces. A team of APF men led by SSP Madhav Thapa instantly arrived and inquired about the situation to the army security personnel...... The rumor was that the army fired at the protestors. That was not correct..... the public of Dilli Bazar throwing water over the tear gas and defusing that instantly. May be they did that for themselves and not necessarily for the benefit of the protestors...... Police fired 10 tear gas shells in one minute. In total, police fired at least 30 tear gas shells (I counted) in the protest program that lasted for one and a half-hour from 3:30 PM. Many of the shells were misfired; they went out of target. One went over a 5-storey house. And many of them were picked up by the protestors and fired back to the police themselves. That was interesting to see. Policemen who fired the shells were apparently loosing the control over little gun....... “Don’t target the protestors,” one jawan was yelling at the man in charge of the shells. “Fire that above the protestors, on the 90 degree angle.” That wasn’t an official order though. He was just venting out his friendly opinion.
Corrupt Crime From Cabinet UWB “Three Ministers’ Plan to Import Fertilizer Illegally Blocked” is the two-line 8-column-long front-page headline of today’s Kantipur daily. And a front-page story on today’s Kathmandu Post daily has this headline: “Fertilizer mafia’s smuggling plan jolted/Three cabinet ministers involved.” Those three ministers from the royal cabinet are Badri Prasad Mandal (Agriculture Minister), Dan Bahadur Shahi (Home Minister) and Madhukar Shumsher Rana (Finance Minister)........ Three ministers involved in an organized crime against the state? ..... fertilizer mafia’s grand plan to smuggle twenty thousand metric tons of chemical fertilizer from India ..... and fertilizer businessman, Gyanendra Shrestha...... the plan was finalized at the agriculture ministry last Thursday at 4 pm through a meeting of the three ministers and businessman Shrestha. Senior civil servants Govinda Prasad Pandey, secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture; Rishi Ram Lamichhane, joint secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture; Shiva Sunder Shrestha from the Department of Agriculture; Madhav Dhakal, director general of DRI; and Bodh Nath Niraula, deputy director general of Department of Customs were also invited to the meeting to execute the plan...... The meeting decided that Shrestha would be allowed to smuggle urea from India unhindered for the next two months. In the meeting, Finance Minister Rana directed the DRI not to raid trucks carrying fertilizer for Binayak International, an importing firm owned by Shrestha. Similarly, it was decided that Home Minister Shahi would order the police and security not to intercept trucks carrying the contraband. It was also decided that the fertilizer would be smuggled to Nepal through Bangkul, a small customs check point in Gaur and Matorawa, customs check point in Bara, and a third check point in Sarlahi.
Everything, Well Almost, That I Saw UWB Today, Nepali Congress and CPN UML jointly took out a rally (for a few seconds though) from the Bhaktpur Bus Park in Bagbazar only to be dispersed by riot police within a minute....... two baton-barricades of police. Facing the protestors was of Janapath Police’ (regular). That barricade was backed up by another of the members of Armed Police Forces (APF). Former ANNFSU, a student organization, office building Rato Ghar these days houses one of the Valley offices of APF....... I guess he too was habituated with throwing stones and participating in demos before he joined police force a few years ago. He arrested Khadka (he was holding the hip of Khadka) and wanted to put the former home minister in a separate police vehicle. There was none. And APF policemen tried to take Khadka away from that Janapath Inspector. “No, no. Leave him to me,” he screamed at the APF guys. Then the inspector took Khadka on the main road and communicated via his set to have a van for Khadka. I guess that Inspector was recruited when Khum Bahadur Khadka was home minister........ a few policemen were finding real difficulties carrying Gajendra Karki, former central member of Nepal Student Union ...... Karki was tough. That was a first real struggle against possible arrest I have ever seen in this phase of demonstration. Karki jumped off twice from the pick-up van. He finally was thrown into a police van by more than two dozen policemen. His eyebrow was swollen by a possible baton charge by police. I didn’t see police beating him but I am sure he must have suffered terribly in that heavy struggle against more than two dozen policemen........ a trend that after “senior” leaders are safely arrested, the protest program quickly shifts to the colleges........ It is like leaders handing over the leadership of movement to students. Then the real show begins: stone pelting and tear gas firing etc....... girls were screaming slogans via a mike and burning tires in front of the main entrance gate of PK. The same Chaudhari girl (I forget her name, sorry) who was on the cover of Nepal Magazine with catapult in her hands targeting police two years in the movement against regressing, was in charge of the mike........ There were two police team on two ends of the road that goes from the main gate of PK. Students had to deal with both the teams with stones. Then, suddenly, the police team on the Putalisadak side started firing tear gas shells. I was on the Bhaktpur Bus Park side. I could see 10 shells fired within 20 or so seconds. Some shells came on the road, some inside the PK campus. The police team on my side backtracked because of the gas that was approaching us quickly. And for about 3 minutes, the road was empty, totally......... A secondary school neighboring PK college suffered the unbelievable. According to a teacher, gas from three tear gas shells (fired inside the college) entered the school premises and severely affected the students of the school. Students of lower grades in Neptune Secondary School were affected most......... I saw two shells of tear gas attacked the police themselves. That was because of the wind. The wind flowing from Ratna Park to Putalisadak blew away the gas to Putalisadak and the police team on that side dispersed........ The shell of tear gas directly hit the head of a young man. Bleeding started. It was no possibility of asking his name at that time........ I saw a doctor emerging out from the hospital in his operation theatre uniform pushing police....... Police today indiscriminately baton-charged thrice to onlookers and pedestrians........ I also heard a big sound of rock music coming out of a house on the road as the situation was tense outside. All the windows of the house were closed. But music was a solace!....... The bad thing about the protest was police firing back with stones....... As and when police threw back stones targeting protestors, students’ anger intensified. Once, stones thrown by the police hit the main electricity gird in Bagbazar and created lightning......... police were using foul language to protestors. Students were doing so ...... some policemen were in drunken state. One of them beat human rights activists who are present in all protest program these days to monitor the situation........ Policemen were in the mood of baton-charging all the HR activists and journalists........ Police also arrested a boy who they charged of leading the team that threw stones. He 22-year-old was Pasang Sherpa of Dolakha district and was living in Bagbazar. (He told me that as he was being whisked away by the police). I fear his safety because he is nobody and police might torture him........ Buddha Bir Lama ..... That young and strong man of Nepal Student Union was the leading figure in yesterdays’ tension in front of Shankar Dev Campus. He is a protest-specialist. Students say a protest program gains momentum when he arrives. Today, he was wearing helmet and escaped the initial arrest session. He was leading students from inside the PK College. I do not exactly know how he was injured but he was serious, very serious......... At 17:30, a group of police, very much agitated, entered the PK College. They went up to 3 meters from the main gate and fired a shell of tear gas inside the college premises. That shell, I was told later by a member of the PK student union, entered the science lab of the college....... The road was full of pieces of bricks. ..... Its 10 PM, everyone in my house has gone to bed and I am really tired. One thing that I have discovered this evening is that if I go on running like this from one end of Bagbazar to another for the next few days, I will definitely do one of the two things. Either I will do something significant in track and field or end up resting in a hospital for a few days. But I am hopeful about my strength.
Questioning The Constitutionality Of The RCCC Nepal Bar Association has officially decided not to plead on behalf of RCCC. ..... even diplomats and UN agencies are critical of this extra-constitutional body.. Along with European Parliament, US Government has also demanded for the continued independence of CIAA.... It has even power to investigate the corruption cases of judiciary....... the body is formed more to create terror then to dispense justice...... in the name of giving continuity to RCCC, by switching from Article 115 to Article 127, the Royal Government is making a joke out of constitutional provisions........ Except the secretary, no other members of the commission have a legal background. Even in the case of the secretary he is a presiding district judge....... any one going critical against RCCC works can be penalized of Rs10, 000 or six months of imprisonment or both........ a constitutional body may give a wrong verdict but an unconstitutional body like RCCC can never give a right verdict.
Arrests, Tear Gas And A Quick Plate Of MoMo One from Baghbazzar and another from Old Bus Park. .... police indiscriminately baton-charged for about 30 seconds over pedestrians and some protestors. As protestors tried to break the police barrier and went to the main road in front of OBP, army personnel inside the Sainik Manch were alert with their guns in position....... a team of APF led by the famous DSP Madhav Thapa, roamed through the narrow alleys of Baghbazzar in search of stone throwers....... Two groups of police were having close watch to the student activities and they were responding with same pieces of bricks occasionally........ the situation became such that the busy traffic of Putali Sadak came to standstill as students intensified throwing stones targeting police and at times passers by. Police too fired back, with same bricks........ a boy approached me. “Are you a journalist?” he asked. “Yes, I am,” I replied. “Oh…I am his brother,” he told me naming a reporter of the Kathmandu Post. He was there “to experience the fighting live”........ I ate one and a half plate of Mo Mo, occasionally rising from the seat and gauging the tense situation outside...... After an hour of exchanging bricks, police decided to do something decisive. They fired at least three rounds of Tear Gas and the crowd immediately dispersed. People started doing huss and buss as the gas started showing effects. Whole area was terrorized. Some people started washing their faces. I met Prabhu Narayan Basnet, journalist and former political activist. He was caught in the middle of the gas and his face was full of tears........ Majority of the crowd were onlookers.
Army Does This, Army Does That “Army fires in air as students pelt stones” and the other “Army misbehaves with MK Nepal.” ...... “fired six warning shots in the air to hold off students of the Mahendra Ratna Campus at Tahachal in the capital on Monday [Sept 12], as protesting students blocked an army truck and ransacked a vehicle belonging to a corporation.” ....... The question is not about whether we are heading toward militarization of Nepal. How much has Nepal been militarized in recent months? ...... No one were hurt or killed on that in that firing-in-air incident but the impact is huge. The whole area was sort of terrorized...... “The army men scolded the police and asked them to return to the party office” ...... Even police are helpless. What is this? One security organ of the state promises security and escort to a people’s leader and the other one ignores that promise and insults and misbehaves the leader.

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Options For The Maoists And The Democrats

The obstinate Monarchists are hellbent on bringing the Maoist ceasefire to an end. They are utterly puzzled by the move. This is the worst piece of news they have had since 2/1. They basically don't know how to respond.

I have a few suggestions for the Maoists and the Democrats. (Alliance Of Steel)

To: The Maoists

If bringing your ceasefire to an end were not in the interests of the RNA honchos, they would not be trying so hard. These hardliner Monarchists have been dealt a serious blow by the ceasefire. No matter what you do, do not break the ceasefire. If you break it, you play into their hands. Pull back your troops if you have to. Take them all into the jungles away from possibilities of direct confrontations with the RNA if you have to. Your success lies in sticking to the ceasefire. If your entire strategy is that the Monarchists will do the sensible thing, you will not be acting that smart. Expect them to make the wrong and the dumb moves. Expect them to act unreasonable. Make room for all that.

Your ceasefire is the reason the king cancelled his trip to the UN. You have scored a major global victory already. Don't now squander it.

Launch a new, almost independent political wing/party if you have to for a massive nationwide organizational effort. Set up committees in all the villages. Like the IRA had a political wing, and a military wing.

Work on an alliance with the Democrats.

And do not place all your bets on a UN involvement. Unless the regime wants it, the UN can not get involved. So there has to be a strategy for success even if the regime does not come along. The Maoist-Democrat alliance might have to do the work the UN might otherwise have done. Are you up for it?

A major human rights activist informed me a few days back that Nepal is not a signatory to the Internatioal Criminal Court, so the Hague is not an option. On the other hand, the UN does have the authority to set up a country tribunal. Similar stuff.

To: The Democrats

To get offended that the Maoists are an armed group is like saying I am offended the night is dark, the sun is hot, and the air is windy. The news is not that the Maoists are an armed group, but that they have already made an ideological move away from that, and they are also eager to implement the same in practice, but for that they need at least one of the other two camps to cooperate. If both the Monarchists and the Democrats were to ignore the major move they have made in the form of this ceasefire, at some point down the line, sooner rather than later, they will call off the ceasefire, and the next round of the civil war will likely be more vicious. That is my analysis. That will be a disaster. That will be a serious blow to our plans of making this a decisive winter. If the Maoists are back up in arms, we will have less political space for our movement. Why would we want that?

Don't play into the hands of the Monarchist hardliners. Engage the Maoists in a serious, respectful dialogue. It would be a serious mistake to think their ideological transformation away from the classic Maoist emphasis on the gun is a weakness on their part. It would be a serious mistake to think their ceasefire has been declared from a position of weakness. The truth is they have taken these two major moves after some major internal analysis. It is important to respect that. Just look at the major political victories they have scored through the ceasefire. Their move is not weak, rather it is smart. Very smart. The proof is in the pudding.

As long as they can work at least with us, they are less likely to allow the Monarchists to push them away from the ceasefire. And we can not afford an end to the ceasefire. So let's act like it.

Get engaged, and stay engaged.

As for the protests, we might need a rethink there.

I have been on record suggesting the strategy should be to Take Over Tundikhel. But the regime has been putting all its effors into denying us that segment of the town. So why not alter our strategy? Instead of Tundikhel, why not target New Road?

Create an artificial lake of people. When you dam a stream, the valley turns into a lake. You go to the police line, and then stop. Do not get adversarial with the police. Instead, at the frontlines have smooth talkers who will engage the police front lines in small talk. And encourage a buildup behind that line. It can be all of New Road, and as many adjoining streets as possible. Jampack.

We have to treat the police officers as people that soon our interim government will be commanding. We should thus not treat them like they were our enemies. Our strategy should be to push a wedge between the police and the regime, then between the bureaucracy and the regime, then finally between the army and the regime. Puncture the monarchists' tires. Push the pins. The police, the bureaucracy and the army all belong to us, to the people. Those are all people on the people's payrolls. Let's start acting like it.

The roads might be better than Tundikhel. The police can not disperse a New Road crowd as it might a Tundikhel crowd. It is easier to reach to the demonstrators with supplies like food items in a New Road setting than it might be in a Tundikhel setting. People can take pictures from inside their homes. And download them and upload them without leaving their homes.

Protest smart. Outthink the opponent.

But this is for when we decide on a decisive struggle. Before we can do that, we need to form a formal seven person committee. I think the names are obvious. Girija Koirala, Madhav Nepal, Gopal Man Shrestha, Bharat Bimal Yadav, Narayan Man Bijukchhe, CP Mainali, and Amik Sherchan. Going by the media photos. That seven person committee chooses its leader. If they decide on Girija Koirala, fine by me. If they decide on Madhav Nepal, fine by me. But that has to be decided now. That seven person committee is the interim government in waiting, and the chosen leader is the interim Prime Minister in waiting, and the leader of the movement. I mean, informally there is a sort of understanding. But a formal decision has to be taken now. So as to make the movement totally focused.

Once the committee and the leader have been formally decided upon, then a program has to be agreed upon. I have suggested a 10-point program here: Alliance Of Steel. But if that is too comprehensive, we can come up with a shorter 5-point program. Let that seven person committee finalize the program. You need such a program to ignite the imagination of the masses. Once ignited, the masses will show up, and there will be no stopping them.

Once we have an interim government in waiting, a single leader, and a clear program, then it will be time to go for a decisive showdown.

And that is when we create our artificial lake of people starting out at New Road. Forget Tundikhel.

How do you like this?

The King, The Army, The Ceasefire
Beyond Royal Rule: An ICG Report
Down With The Monarchy
The Obstinate Monarchists
Caution: Alliance Approaching
Irresponsible Response To Ceasefire
Prachanda, Do Not Break The Ceasefire
Positive Signs
The King Should Now Move To Step 2
King Cancels UN Visit
To Trust Or Not To Trust The Maoists
The Nepali Rasputins Want A Revolution
RNA, Declare Your Own Ceasefire, You Have No Choice
After Ganapathy, A Ceasefire
What Is Prachanda Doing?
Is Prachanda For Real?
To: Dr. Baburam Bhattarai
Baburam Bhattarai, Pramod Aryal, Ram Chandra Poudel

In The News

Supreme Court issues show cause notice to RCCC NepalNews ..... demanding reasons for detaining former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and former Minister Prakash Man Singh.

Maoists abduct over 60 teachers Notwithstanding their call of a three-month long unilateral ceasefire, Maoists have abducted at least 60 teachers from different schools of Morang district....... The whereabouts of the abducted teachers is still unknown.

Shahi rules out dialogue with Maoists One day after the Royal Nepalese army described the unilateral truce declared by the Maoist as a ploy, Home Minister Dan Bahadur Shahi, Saturday categorically ruled out any prospect of the government opening talks with the Maoists ....... also ruled out any chances of the government announcing a ceasefire on its part saying that Maoists have in the past used ceasefire as a break to accumulate arms and cash...... adamant on the government's stance that talks cannot be possible unless they (Maoists) submit their arms and ammunition....... Shahi also added that the government would not mind going for an election to the constituent assembly if the Maoists come with a serious state of mind.

Pro-democracy demonstration in the US

SC scraps court of contempt case against Kantipur Kantipur

Kantipur threatened again In what appears to be an attempt to threaten the pro-democracy media houses, Kantipur Publication has received another threat from Pralhad Sah, secretary of the organizing committee of the forthcoming pro-king gathering in the eastern region...... "Kantipur Publications may face a repetition of the devastation of September 1," he warned. .... Sah's threat comes few days after Hindu fundamentalist Shiva Sena issued a similar warning here...... On September 1, 2004, a mob of miscreants had attacked Kantipur Publications and demolished its property worth millions of rupees.

SC issues show cause notice on Deuba case

Authorities detain Kantipur correspondent in Dailekh

NRN ordinance positive, says Mahato

16 countries decide to develop Lumbini as a World Peace City Nepal, Japan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore and Thailand.

Nepalis in US stage pro-democracy demonstration

Nepal urges Maoists to give up guns Gorkhapatra, Nepal

Talks with Maoists going on: Nepal Kathmandu Post Madhav Kumar Nepal, has revealed that talks with Maoists are already underway..... dialogues with the rebels are being held in order to use the ceasefire period to transform it into a long lasting peace .... "Talks are underway and we are looking for a common package after doing away with all the impediments" ...... the present government was afraid after the sudden announcement of ceasefire by Maoists. "The autocrats are not willing to reciprocate as yet, but are hell-bent on using force in the name of resolving the crisis in order to prolong their tenure." .... "The troubled government due to the public's countrywide protests might do anything to political parties and those who support the people's movement"

Nepali Congress (D) to monitor ceasefire .... urged Maoist rebels to stop all violence -- murder, intimidation and extortion, so as to create a conducive environment ..... create an atmosphere for the unhindered return of displaced people to their homes and for smooth functioning of political parties' activities ...... flayed the government for failing to respond to the Maoist ceasefire positively. "This has established that the present regime is against peace, and is going against the people's will." ...... party also decided to monitor the ceasefire through its central representatives deployed in all 75 districts ......

Parties burn effigies in valley

Rights groups condemn police brutality

‘Civil servants’ agitation justified’

Nepal says talks only after Maoists surrender arms:- Webindia123, India ...... Nepal government has ruled out peace talks with the Maoist rebels ...... there can be no dialogue unless the outlaws lay down arms ..... Dan Bahadur Shahi said the government could hold a roundtable conference with the guerrillas and discuss political issues only after they surrendered arms ...... ruled out the government reciprocating the rebel gesture by offering a truce...... "Despite the so-called ceasefire, atrocities like kidnapping, extortion and forcible recruitment continue...... So there is no question of the government following suit." ..... "In the past too, they have repeatedly announced ceasefires and called them off..... So there is no basis to trust them." The Maoists too, on their part, have said they would hold talks with the opposition parties and members of civil society but there was little possibility of a dialogue with the government...... "We will hold talks with the government only if the king returns the power he has usurped," Maoist supremo.... the rebels have continued abducting people for forcible recruitment, have been looting vehicles on the highways and mining roads.

Nepal on the brink as protests against monarchy intensify Sunday Herald the 40-year-old unemployed hotel worker said: “I’ve been coming here every day as I want the king to go. He does nothing for us.... “People are out fighting for their rights,” said Suvash Darnal, leader of the Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP), a network which includes associations of teachers, doctors, lawyers, journalists, civil rights groups and trade unions....... COCAP estimates that more than 2000 arrests have taken place in the last two weeks. Police frequently use violence to intimidate activists, said Darnal......... “They are systematically beating peaceful demonstrators. Police are using weapons and tear gas but the more violent they become the more our numbers increase.”..... Protests against the king intensified when Maoist rebels declared a unilateral three-month ceasefire on September 3, to which the monarchy refused to respond........ The palace looks increasingly isolated as opposition parties, civil rights groups, and the rebels demand an end to the king’s rule....... “This is the first time that Nepalese civil society has spontaneously come out into the streets,” he said, pointing to reports of protests spreading to other parts of the country ..... Analysts believe that the monarchy has little interest in a return to democracy despite having fewer and fewer friends at home or abroad....... All opposition parties support the Maoists’ demand for UN involvement in brokering and monitoring a ceasefire....... “The king is waiting for something to happen but there will be chaos if he does not act soon” ..... “This situation can’t last much longer” ...... warning of a potentially violent crackdown by the army....... “The international community should be making urgent contingency plans. The monarchy’s days of direct rule appear to be numbered . As the pressure mounts there is a real risk of a bloody upheaval.” ........ the greatest risk of violence is from the king’s staunchest supporters, the army ...... “None of them were very happy with the democracy we had in the 1990s and they’ve helped to dismantle it ever since” ...... “The government is not responding, which means they don’t want to talk. They want to solve the problem with guns”

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