Wickedness: Banda Organizers Nearly Burn Excursion Students In Bus

Chitwan, May 17: The students in an educational excursion have been rescued from fire and brought to Chitwan.

The banda (general shutdown) organizers in Nawalparasi had set on fire a bus ridden by the students and a lecturer of the Sakuna Multiple Campus, Indrapur of Morang at Tilakpur of Nawalparasi on Wednesday afternoon.

The students saved their lives by smashing windowsill but their baggage all burnt in fire.The locals rescued them and took to Bharatpur by a truck of the Armed Police Force last night.

Frightened much, the students told journalists at a hotel in Bharapur on Thursday that they faced a fatal moment in life.A student with injuries on both ears, Bhupendra Mishra said if the windowsill was not broken I could not save my life.

"Most of my friends jumped off the burning bus breaking the window," he recalled.

Similarly, lecturer Umanath Bhattarai said a total of 46 students including 23 girl students had set out on educational tour from May 11.

He informed journalists that the fire damaged 25 cameras, 10 mobiles, citizenship certificates, luggage of the students including Rs 40,000 cash.

The locals provided us food in the night and we came to Bharatpur with the help of Armed Police Force, lecturer Bhattarai added.

As they lost everything they had, PABSON Chairman at Chitwan, Bel Bahadur Gurung, managed food on Thursday morning.

Two students had become faint during the fire while some others got injuries with burning.

The District Police Office, Chitwan has assured them of ferrying to home on Thursday evening.

The third year students of education stream at the Sakuna Multiple Campus were on the educational excursion in Nawalparasi.

They were scheduled to visit Sauraha and Devghat on Thursday.

The police had resorted to firing ten rounds of tear gas shells after the banda organizers set on fire two more buses after arson on excursion bus.

The Tharuhat Struggle Committee has been organizing protests in Nawalparasi and Chitwan for some days.

Baby Named 'Undivided Far-west'

Dhangadhi, May 17: The baby born to Ganga Sunar of Tatopani VDC of Surkhet district has been given a peculiar name 'Akhanda Sudur Paschim', meaning undivided far- west.

The baby's name in brief will be 'Ansu', deriving from the said word, in the context that a movement for undivided far west was going on as Nepal goes for state restructuring.

The woman was admitted to Padma Hospital by the undivided far-west supporters, when she was stranded in Attariya while returning home in Surkhet from India. She had been given treatment and the name was given to the baby, said one of the agitators, Lograj Pandey.

She was given free lodging and treatment in the hospital, as she was stranded along with the 14-day baby.

Sunar had arrived in Attariya from Gaddachauki, the western border point via Mahendranagar, by paying exorbitant fare. The agitators had also provided her with some amount by collecting donations for her to reach her home in Surkhet, as she was penniless.

Banda Hits Normal Life

Kathmandu, May 17: The indefinite general strike enforced by different ethnic organizations has thrown life out of gear in the Kathmandu Valley since the morning today.

Although private and public transport vehicles could be seen plying intermittently in the morning, they stayed off the roads near about office-time. As a result, the office-goers and students are facing difficulty reaching their destinations.

An officer with the Traffic Police here said only a few motorcycles are operating on the city roads now and the public vehicles have stopped operating towards the late morning, making life for the people difficult.

However, no such untoward incidents have been reported from any parts of the city during the banda until now, he said.

The Joint Struggle Committee comprising 14 different ethnic organizations has enforced an indefinite general strike from today, in protest against ethnic-based federalism and calling for enlisting the Khas, Arya, Kshetri, Brahman and other caste groups in the list of indigenous nationalities in the new constitution.

The struggle committee comprises the Kshetri Samaj Nepal, the Brahman Samaj Nepal, the Thakuri Samaj Rastriya Mahasangh, the Dalit Samaj Sewa Sangh and the Pichhadabarga Mahasangh, among others.

Far West Banda Called Off

Kathmandu, May 16: The far west banda (general shutdown) being continued for 20 days has been postponed on Wednesday evening.

A talks team of 34 persons from the region forged agreement by holding various rounds of talks with the top leaders of various political parties and postponed all sorts of protest programmes in the region.

Organizing a press conference in the capital following a parley at the Peace Ministry on Wednesday evening, talks team member Bam Bahadur Singh Thapa said they had realized that the views and commitment of UCPN-Maoist's Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala and CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal have addressed the demand of the far western people regarding state restructuring positively. So, the agitation was postponed.

He further said the banda was put off for now considering the continuous support of the far west people for undivided region, leaders' commitment and the effects of the banda.

Similarly, he demanded the government to provide free treatment to those injured in the protest programmes during the banda.

He appealed to all concerned to be restrained to create peace and keep intact social harmony in the country.

The talk team from the agitating side comprised Bahadur Sing Thapa, Gajendra Shahi, Mahadev Bajgain, Gokarna Bhatta, Purna Bahadur Chand, Jay Dev Joshi, Puskar Raj Joshi, Lal Bahadur Khadka, Ram Ramajh Chaudhari, Rom Swar and others.

Similarly, the talks team from the government side had Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Barsha Man Pun and Mahendra Yadav.

Indigenous Leaders Warn Of Vigorous Protest Against 11 Provinces

Kathmandu, May 16: Leaders of the indigenous communities have warned of a vigorous protest against the three-party consensus on 11 federal provinces.

Various indigenous associations including Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) organized a whistle rally in the capital on Wednesday, and said they would make the three-party leaders to roll back the agreement on province.

The indigenous leaders accused the big party leaders of ignoring their demands repeatedly.

Addressing a mass gathering following the whistle rally, central member of the UCPN-Maoist, Suresh Alemagar, said the indigenous people were betrayed frequently by the big three parties.

He said, "If our demands are not met, the country will be disarrayed, and the big leaders should take its responsibility".

Similarly, central member of the Nepali Congress and Constituent Assembly member Jip Chhiring Lama said all indigenous communities would be united to compel the big leaders to reconsider Tuesday agreement on state restructuring.

CPN-UML's CA member Pasang Sherpa accused Maoist's Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala and CPN-UML's Chairman Jhalanath Khanal of flatly ignoring their demands. So a storm of protest would be launched, he warned.

Moreover, NEFIN Chairman Raj Kumar Lekhi accused the big parties of curtailing the rights of indigenous people. A decisive struggle was needed now, he added.

The mass meet was organized at New Baneshwor.

Prime Minister Inspects Fire-hit Village, RS 25,000 Relief Package

Janakpurdham, May 16: Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai had an on-site inspection at the fire-affected village of Aurahi in Siraha district and announced Rs 25,000 relief to each fire-affected family on Wednesday.

The district administration, Siraha said the Prime Minister visited the people affected with the massive fire and made a commitment on relief after collecting information of the fire damage.

In course of inspection, Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai directed the local administration to manage free treatment to the people injured in the disaster.

Similarly, the government would make initiative from the local to central levels for the relief items as food and cloths.

Even the Deputy Prime Ministers duo Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar and Ishwor Pokhrel, Minister for Information and Communication Kaj Kishor Yadav and Constituent Assembly members of the region were together with the Prime Minister.

According to the estimation of Siraha Red Cross, houses and huts in a number of 1,500 were gutted in fire while affecting more than 10,000 locals.

The property worth Rs 1.5 billion was turned to ashes due to the fire.

Moreover, three-year-old Bharat Saha of Aurahi-3 was killed in fire while three other injured.

The fire began flaring up from Mesi Yadav's home and spread onto Ward Nos 3, 4 5, 6, 7, and 8 on Tuesday afternoon.

The wind blowing towards east stoked the fire, the police said, adding many cattle were burnt in the fire.

The fire was brought under control in three hours by the security and fire engines.

However, the detailed information about the damage is yet to be garnered, the police added.

Kanchanpur Open, Great Relief

Kanchanpur, May 15: People of Kanchanpur district have felt a great relief after the market areas in the district which were closed for the past 19 days opened from today.

The normal life in the district was thrown out of gear for many days due to a movement launched for demanding undivided Far-Western Region in the new constitution.

The banda organizers agreed to open the markets from Tuesday evening citing that their talks with the government were heading positively.

With this, movement of people in Bhimduttanagar, Jhalari, Krishnapur, Daiji, Belauri and Beldandi has gone up.

However, the transport services which were closed owing to the banda has not been resumed completely. Only a few vehicles bound for short-route are seen plying the road.

The shortage of foodstuffs, daily essential goods, fuel, cooking gas and medicines still prevails in the market, according to the locals.

New Ministers Administers Oath Of Office

Kathmandu, May 16: Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has, in the presence of President Dr Ram BaranYadav, administered the oath of office and secrecy to newly appointed seven ministers including a deputy prime minister from the CPN (UML), amidst a ceremony at the Rastrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas, Wednesday.

Those new ministers taking oath are Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokharel and ministers Anil Kumar Jha, Parshuram Khapung, Radha Gyawali, Chandra Dev Joshi, Eknath Dhakal and Dr Keshav Man Shakya.

Portfolios of the new ministers will be confirmed later, it is learnt.

Vice President Parmanand Jha, Speaker Subash Nembang, former prime ministers Jhalanath Khanal and Madhav Kumar Nepal were also present on the occasion.

Mass Exit From MJF Nepal

Parsa (Birgunj), May 16: As many as 8,000 leaders and district-level cadres of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal (MJF Nepal) party led by Upendra Yadav have deserted the party.

This was announced in a news conference in Birgunj on Tuesday. The party deserters announced that they were no longer with the Forum Nepal and would remain independent.

On the occasion, 51 district level leaders including the party's district treasurer Nijamuddin Ahmad and leaders Divyanath Thakur, Nathuni Prasad and Birendra Yadav declared in writing that they were quitting the party.

Ahamad said as many as 8,000 district level leaders and cadres have deserted the party with them. He said they decided to dissociate from the party, alleging that the party was only focused on power and benefits and that the party president and his clique fanned communalism for fulfilling their vested interests.

Seven Lahan Villages Destroyed In Fire

Lahan, May 15: Over 500 houses were reduced to ashes in a massive fire that broke out at Aurahi VDC, the southern belt of Siraha, on Tuesday afternoon.

 The fire was spread from the house of one Nathuni Yadav of ward No-3 in the VDC at around 2:00 pm, according to one Mahendra Yadav of the same locality.

All the nine wards in the VDC except two (ward No. 1 and 9) were destroyed in the fire, it is learnt.

The fire had come under control only in the late evening (around 6:00 pm) following the continuous efforts by the locals, the Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and a fire engine.

 It was very difficult to douse the fire due to a strong wind from the west.

The reason of how the fire erupted has not been established yet. The Armed Police Force, the Civil Police and the locals have been making their attempts to put out the fire.

The details of losses by the huge fire are awaited, said Superintendent of Police Rajeshlal Karna of District Police Office.

Meantime, seven houses at Indrapur-7 of Motipur VDC in Banke were turned to ashes and local 26-year-old Ramawati Radh was injured in a fire on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has expressed sorrow over an incident of fire took place at Aurahi VDC in Siraha district on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister in a press note today has said that the incident of massive fire occurred in the Siraha villages, reducing around 500 houses to ashes has really saddened him.

In the press note, he said that he has already directed the local administration to shift  the  people affected by  fire  to the safety and manage foodstuffs for them.

Dahal's Remarks Intended At Inciting Ethnical Conflict: Civil Society

Kathmandu, May 15: Civil Society people have expressed serious concern over the Sunday's public statement of Chairman of UCPN (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal about the state restructuring issue.

Issuing a joint press statement on Monday, various people from the civil society termed Dahal's statement 'intended at inciting ethnical conflict in the country and jeopardizing communal harmony'.

"It was really unimaginable and surprising to giving such statement on the agenda of national importance by the Chairman of the largest political party and former prime minister of the country", added the statement.

 Prem Bahadur Khadka, Dr Kedarnar Singh KC, Taranath Dahal, Charan Prasai, Sudip Pathak, Subodh Pyakurel, Baburam Giri, Dharmendra Jha, Amuda Shrestha and Dr Bhupendra Kumar are among those expressing concerns over the Dahal's statement.

 Chairman Dahal on Sunday had called Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities to launch street campaign in fovour of single ethnic identity based federalism.

Talk With Far-West Banda Organisers Positive

Kathmandu, May 15: The dialogue held between the government and the far west banda (general shutdown) organizers was positive, but failed to forge agreement.

The dialogue was held at the Peace Ministry in Singh Durbar on Monday afternoon.

The government talks team claimed that the talks was very positive because the top leaders of the three parties made the joint commitment to address the demands of the far western region. The ongoing agitation could also be withdrawn, added the government side.

During the talks, a commitment letter bearing the signatures of the top leaders of the UCPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML was handed to the agitating side, saying the demands of the far west would be addressed through the Constituent Assembly (CA), and if it failed to seek remedy, public poll could be adopted.

Member of the government talks team and Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said the agitation in the far west would be withdrawn because the CA was to address the far west's demands considering the context  that the provinces were yet to be finalized.

He added that the commitment of the top leaders on the demands would also make the agitation be stopped.

Similarly, another member and Minister Barsha Man Pun said the government and the parties were serious about the far west's agitation continued for 18 days and the demands would be addressed in the process of constitution writing.

Representative from the agitating region and UCPN-Maoist leader Lekhraj Bhatta expressed hope, saying he would take initiative to withdraw agitation considering the commitment of the top leaders.

However, member of the talks team of the agitating side Puskar Raj Joshi accused the big parties of ignoring far west's demand. He warned of continuing agitation till the demand of keeping the far western region undivided was addressed.

The people in the far western region have been agitating for 18 consecutive days demanding to restructure country without dividing nine districts of the far western region.

Delisi Paid A Courtesy Call On Nembang

Kathmandu, May 14: US Ambassador to Nepal, Scott H. DeLisi paid a courtesy call on Chairman of the Constituent Assembly (CA) Subash Nembang at the office of Nembang in Singha Durbar, today.

During the meeting, they held discussions on constitution writing.

On the occasion, DeLisi inquired about on ongoing progress of the constitution writing.

Nembang expressed the confidence that the new constitution will be promulgated on the slated time as serious discussions are underway among political parties.

CA chairman Nembang is confident and hopeful on promulgation of the new constitution at the slated time, ongoing discussions among political parties will give a positive outlet and new constitution of Federal Republic Nepal will be promulgated within May 27, said Ambassador DeLisi after the meeting quoting the CA Chairman Nembang.

DeLisi added that the government of USA is ready to provide help as far as possible on the issue of the constitution writing, which is the centre of hope of Nepal and the Nepalese.

DeLisi is returning to home after completing his term of office in Nepal.

Indigenous leaders Clears Khanal About Unitary Ethnic Identity

Kathmandu, May 14: The Nepal Federation of Indigenous and Nationalities (NEFIN) has drawn attention of the Chairman of CPN (UML) Jhalanath Khanal to federate the country based on unitary ethnic identity.

Meeting with Khanal on Monday, a team of representatives from NEFIN and different ethnic groups demanded to address their concerns in the new constitution, according to general secretary of NEFIN Angkaji Shepra.

On the occasion, Khanal expressed his commitment to keep the demands of the indigenous communities at the top leaders meetings.

Khanal also claimed that the UML was raising voices for suppressed and indigenous communities from the past and the party would be serious to this end this time too, Naresh Tamrakar of Newa: Dey Dabu quoted Khanal as saying.

Representatives of Newar, Rai, Limbu, Tamang, Magar, Tharu, Gurung, Sunuwar and other ethnic communities were present on the occasion.

CA Meet Postponed

Kathmandu, May 14: A meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) scheduled for 3:00 pm today has been put off by pasting a notice citing special reason.

The CA meetings have been postponed continuously after consensus was not reached mainly on federal system, form of governance, electoral system, judicial system, among others.

The meeting was put off for 10^th times till May 13 by pasting a notice.

 The next meeting is scheduled for May 15 at 3:00 pm, according to the Parliament Secretariat.