Daily Media Report 03 August 2009

Transcription

1 Daily Media Report 03 August 2009 OHCHR and UN RELATED Biased diplomacy IMPUNITY ACCOUNTABILITY AND RULE OF LAW Armed groups object to special security plan Maoist YCL beat up general manager Pro-UML students physically assault college principal in Kathmandu Explosives found in potato sacks Four arrested with sharp weapons in Pokhara Explosion at the house of a police in Banke Bombs found in Bhojpur Two arrested with pistol in Susnari Two arrested with explosives in Kanchanpur Two arrested with arms in Siraha Panel to probe police financial "irregularities" Victim of Belbari massacre commits suicide KJWP warns of ending dialogue Mysterious suicide in police custody in Janakpur Thirty Six Accused of Nar Massacre sent to prison DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES / CA PROCESS Speaker instructs thematic committees to present draft of constitution at earliest Parliamentary panel instructs govt to halt West Seti agreement Parliamentarians ask govt to work for releasing Myanmar leader Suu Kyi STRENGTHENING NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS / CIVIL SOCIETY Include human rights commission procedures in Act itself: NHRC DISCRIMINATION AND ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Insec says WFP food caused cholera - Four more die in Rukum, two in Doti SC intervention sought to curb diarrhoea Four more die in Rukum, two in Doti Indigenous people prepare for D-Day 170 kamlaris in kamlari freed district The haliyas situation did not improve Women slowly opening up on issues of sexual problems Rape victim girl appeals for assistance in Taplejung Two thousand families at risk of landslide Mentally retarded at fetter since 14 years JUDICIARY ICJ points loopholes in security laws OTHER Jha rejects President Yadav's call for fresh oath Don t stop rehabilitation of disqualified combatants: Maoist combatants PM discusses India visit with officials Foreign minister to propose three for ambassadors Govt to form counter-intelligence wing Maoists to launch autonomous provinces Maoists threaten new movement if past agreement not implemented within four days Melamchi locals agree to allow tunnel digging Maoists demand settlement of dispute over presidential move reinstating army chief President to discuss vice president s oath row with PM SC issues show cause notice to Vice President Jha Secretary Mainali to resign today Maoist movement to continue until Maoist-led government is formed: Baburam Bhattarai Leaders request for including small parties in high-level political mechanism Editorials Negligence in public health

2 Positive initiative A code that must be implemented Unbridled ministers High-level mechanism Op-ed articles White army red army There is Constituent Assembly, there isn t Constituent Assembly Nepal: On the borderline of future Debate on language and nationalism following Supreme Court order Don t do anything to diminish respect of court Financial federalism Journey of Maoists in changed situation OHCHR and UN RELATED Biased diplomacy OHCHR Nepal Representative Richard Bennett's statements regarding Nepal Army's non-compliance with OHCHR recommendations are malicious ( Maoist non-cooperation upped impunity: OHCHR, July 30, Page 5). A senior diplomat who understands Nepal well should not have made such biased statements against our national Army. I agree that during the conflict period the Army was alleged of human right violations. Yes, all the alleged personnel must be thoroughly investigated and the victims must get justice. But the international community must understand that Nepal is in dire need of a reconciliatory approach at this point in time, not a provocative approach. Our allied diplomats must be the facilitators of peace, not the obstacles. Besides, meddling in domestic issues of the host country is against diplomatic norms. In fact, I don't see any role for OHCHR in Nepal when the larger and credible UN Mission UNMIN is already here. Why feed two foreign institutions with similar mandate? Could it be that Bennet is trying to lobby with national and international stakeholders to extend his tenure? Or was he merely showing off his clout in front of the Nepali media? Robin Paudyal, The Kathamndu Post, Letter to Editor IMPUNITY ACCOUNTABILITY AND RULE OF LAW Armed groups object to special security plan Various armed groups operating in the hill districts in eastern Nepal have objected to the government plan to launch special security plan to crack down on the armed groups. The groups protesting the plan include Khambuwan Morcha, Sanghiya Limbuwan Rajya Parishad and Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch among others. Kantipur, p 5 Maoist YCL beat up general manager Maoist YCL workers beat up the general manager of Balaju Industrial Area Giriraj Bhandari on 2 August allegedly for removing the YCL camp from the industrial area. They also blackened Bhandari s face with soot. Kantipur, p 1 Pro-UML students physically assault college principal in Kathmandu Activists of the CPN-UML s student wing All Nepal National Free Students Union physically assaulted the principal of Tri-Chandra College in Kathmandu demanding release of two of their comrades arrested by police on the charge of last months shootout. Kantipur, p 1 Explosives found in potato sacks Police in Kanchanpur district in farwestern Nepal have found 583 detonators, 20 rolls of safety fuse and a bomb among other things from potato sacks being brought to Nepal. The materials are used in making bomb. The persons arrested along with the sacks said they bought the explosives in India and were planning to sell the explosives to road contractor in Kalikot. Rajdhani, p 5 Four arrested with sharp weapons in Pokhara Biju Gurung, Soman Gurung, Biswas Pradhan and Manish Shrestha, all from Pokhara, were arrested with sharp weapons on August 02 at 12:30 hrs. The group were about to attack a local youth on charge of eave-teasing their girlfriends. Nayapatrika, p 5 Explosion at the house of a police in Banke The cadres of Madhes Mukti Tigers exploded a bomb at the house of Sub Inspector Baldev Mandal Karkando- 7, Lagdahawa, Banke on July 21 at 12:00 hrs night. There was no human casualty. Rajdhani, p 4, (Sunday)

3 Bombs found in Bhojpur Two bombs were found in from of the Land Revenue Office in Bhojupur Bazzar on August 01. The local had discovered a pipe bomb and a pressure cooker bomb while digging a road. The police said the bombs were planted by the Army during conflict. The locals are terrified as the bomb disposal team of the Nepal Army had already informed that all the mines and bombs from the area were cleared. Rajdhani, p 4 (Sunday) Two arrested with pistol in Susnari Police on August 01 arrested Dharma Shrestha and Anup Rai with two American Mousers and seven rounds of ammunitions and three magazines. Annapurna Post, p 5 Two arrested with explosives in Kanchanpur Police on August 01 held Parba Sahakari, 40, and Nandaram Sahakari, 30, of Rupsa-5, Kalikot along with 583 detonators, 30 sets of safety fuse wires, electric battery, 406 lolas, which were kept hidden in potato sacks, the armed police force said. Annapurna Post, p 5 Two arrested with arms in Siraha Munna Shrestha,18, and Jitendra Mahara, of Rampur Birta-1, Siraha have been arrested by police along with one katuwa pistol and one round of bullet used in SLR. Gorkhapatra, p 10 Panel to probe police financial "irregularities" KATHMANDU, Aug 2: The government has formed a three-member panel to probe alleged financial irregularities by Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) on the procurement of equipment for UN peacekeeping mission. The panel is headed by economist at the Home Ministry Tanka Paneru with former DIG Amar Singh Shah and legal expert Bhaweshwar Gurung as members. The procurement was made by the money from Police Welfare Fund on condition that the money would be reimbursed after the UN pays back. Procurements for the last four years have been under suspicion. The panel has been mandated to probe the suspected areas of welfare fund, petrol pump and sports fund of Nepal Police and APF. Victim of Belbari massacre commits suicide Gopal Chandra Gautam, a victim of Belbari massacre committed suicide on August 01, 2009, at 11:00 hrs at his own residence by hanging himself with a rope. Gautam could hardly walk. A bullet that hit him at his cheek had penetrated by splitting a nerve of his eye and came out through his ear. He could not open his mouth, could not close his eyes, tears kept flowing and his ears kept ringing. He was taken to Bir Hospital for treatment time and again but he did not get well. According to the report submitted by the Parliamentary Investigation Committee which was formed after the massacre, there was a problem in his treatment as the government did not provide relief and compensation. After the long suffering and pain, there was seen some psychiatric disorders in him in the latest days. Nayapatrika, p 1 KJWP warns of ending dialogue Accusing the government of acting against the agreement, Kirati Janawati Workers Party (KJWP) has warned of ending dialogue with the government. Releasing a press statement on July 30, KJWP has warned the talks will end if their cadres are not released within 15 days. KJWP has said the rationale of the dialogue has already ended as the government has irresponsibly arrested Ananta Kirati one of its cadres as well as the party cadres of different groups struggling in the Tarai. Kantipur, p 15 (Sunday) Mysterious suicide in police custody in Janakpur Binod Yadav, 21, according to the locals, was arrested by the police on July 30 on charge of attempting to rob the shop of a local in Dhalkebar. He was beaten in the custody the whole night and had passed away the next day. Samchapatra, p 5, (Sunday)

4 Thirty Six Accused of Nar Massacre sent to prison The 36 people out of the 40 accused, after the district court order, have been sent to prison. As there is not prison in the district, they have all been kept in the district education office. A total of 70 people were arrested in the Nar massacre. The 40 individuals who had confessed the crime had been litigated on charge of homicide. Nagarik, p 8 DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES / CA PROCESS Speaker instructs thematic committees to present draft of constitution at earliest Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Nembang has instructed five thematic committees of the Constituent Assembly to present their preliminary draft on the constitution without any delay. The speaker was concerned over the delay in constitution-writing process. Rajdhani, p 3 Parliamentary panel instructs govt to halt West Seti agreement The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has instructed the government to stop the process of signing a new agreement regarding 750MW West Seti Hydroelectric Project. Kantipur, p 3 Parliamentarians ask govt to work for releasing Myanmar leader Suu Kyi Parliamentarians on 2 August asked the government to create pressure for the release of Myanmar s democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi is under house arrest for past many years in Myanmar. Kantipur, p3 STRENGTHENING NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS / CIVIL SOCIETY Include human rights commission procedures in Act itself: NHRC National Human Rights Commission has suggested to the government to include procedures for punishing human rights violators in the Act itself. The commission has also suggested incorporating the words Paris principles and freedom in the working procedure Act, increasing the compensation amount given to the kin of the deceased who died in incident of human rights violation to Rs. 500,000 from Rs. 300,000 and including provisions in which the perpetrators shall be made to provide compensation to the victims in incidents of rights violations on allegation of somebody practising witchcraft and the like. The commission made these recommendations in course of giving its suggestions for making amendment to the Act. Kantipur, p 4 summary DISCRIMINATION AND ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Insec says WFP food caused cholera - Four more die in Rukum, two in Doti NEPALGUNJ, Aug 2: The Informal Sector Service Center (Insec) has alleged that the cholera outbreak in the midwestern region was caused due to poor quality rice, edible oils and lentils supplied by the World Food Program (WFP). The rotten rice, and lentils that cannot be cooked even after two hours of cooking have Saturday been proved to have caused the cholera outbreak, Insec said at a press conference in Nepalgunj Sunday without elaborating how it was proved. Insec President Subodh Raj Pyakurel called on the government to test the food provided by the WFP and punish the guilty. He claimed that the police and common people have complained to them about the low quality food. Insec has put the death toll in Jajarkot at 205. Regional chief of the WFP Moti Thapa, on the other hand, maintained that there is nothing wrong with the food it provided. WFP always supplies quality food only, Thapa said. Four more die in Rukum, two in Doti Meanwhile, Rukum District Health Office has confirmed four more deaths due to cholera on Sunday. It said Ragbir Sunar, 70, of Chhiwang-3, Gopal Sunar, 55, of Shova-2, Gopal KC of Ghetma-8 and 48-year-old Khiuri Buda of Gotamkot-4 succumbed to the disease on Sunday. Likewise 65-year-old Narudevi BK of Tikhatar and Laxmi Saud, 12, of Dipayal Silgadhi-12, who died on Thursday and Wednesday respectively, have been confirmed to have died of cholera. Similarly 43-year-old Birman Pariyar of Kavrechour, Salyan and Dip Kumar Shahi, 6, of Bhagawati-4, Jajarkot also died due to cholera on Sunday. Meanwhile, a woman died of diarrhea in Jungu village on Saturday night. Manju Basnet, 25, of Jungu VDC-8, died on the way while being taken to the health center in Mainapokhari, a local teacher Dhal Bahadur Khadka said. SC intervention sought to curb diarrhoea KATHMANDU: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed at the Supreme Court today seeking its intervention to immediately address the problem of diarrhoea in several hill districts of mid and far-western regions. Kamal

5 Niol, a resident of Surkhet, filed the petition. The petitioner said that the disease affected people in various districts of Rukum, Rolpa, Dailekh, Jajarkot, among others, but the government was not serious enough to tame the same. Stating that many people lost their lives to the diarrhoeal epidemic, the apex court order was sought to direct the government to provide health service and medicine to the suffering people and to control the deadly disease. The petitioner sought the order to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, the PM s Office, the Cabinet, Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Information and Communications, Department of Health and District Public Health Offices to provide timely service. Niol also sought that the apex court order to declare the districts as health hazardous areas as per the Transmitted Diseases Act, He also sought the stay order directing the authorities not to conceal information. Four more die in Rukum, two in Doti Meanwhile, Rukum District Health Office has confirmed four more deaths due to cholera on Sunday. It said Ragbir Sunar, 70, of Chhiwang-3, Gopal Sunar, 55, of Shova-2, Gopal KC of Ghetma-8 and 48-year-old Khiuri Buda of Gotamkot-4 succumbed to the disease on Sunday. Likewise 65-year-old Narudevi BK of Tikhatar and Laxmi Saud, 12, of Dipayal Silgadhi-12, who died on Thursday and Wednesday respectively, have been confirmed to have died of cholera. Similarly 43-year-old Birman Pariyar of Kavrechour, Salyan and Dip Kumar Shahi, 6, of Bhagawati-4, Jajarkot also died due to cholera on Sunday. Meanwhile, a woman died of diarrhea in Jungu village on Saturday night. Manju Basnet, 25, of Jungu VDC-8, died on the way while being taken to the health center in Mainapokhari, a local teacher Dhal Bahadur Khadka said. Published on :27:20 Indigenous people prepare for D-Day KATHMANDU: Indigenous nationalities said that they were all set to observe the 15th World Indigenous Day by organising various programmes across the country on August 9. Speaking at a function organised here today to announce the programme, Nagendra Rai, president, All Nepal Federation for Indigenous Nationalities (Unified) stressed on the need of protection of millions of indigenous nationalities and their rights. We ve decided to mark the day as a festival and an opportunity to cobble together to renew the struggle for pressurising the government to recognise our contribution in different phases of democratic movement in the country, Rai said. Taking potshots at political parties for doing precious little to fulfill their demands, he reiterated for proportional rights of the people belonging to the indigenous nationalities in all state organs. The federation is scheduled to organise a series of preparatory programmes ahead of the D-day kamlaris in kamlari freed district Though six month has already elapsed after declaring Dang a kamlari freed district, there are still 170 Tharu girls working as domestic workers in different houses. This is so because the people who keep kamlaris have not been punished, the organizations working for the release of kamlaris say. All these kamlaris are below the age of fifteen. Kantipur, p 17 (Sunday) The haliyas situation did not improve The situation of the haliyas in the far western districts like Dadeldhura, Baitadi, Bajhang, Darchula and Bajura has not improved yet. They still continue to plough the landlords fields as payment of the interest of the loan. The haliyas are still worried as the government has not paid enough attention for them. According to the statistics, there are over 20,000 haliyas in the far west. The haliyas said the very many governments that came one after another all ignore their plights. They say the haliyas are still living as half-slaves. The haliyas have blamed the government of ignoring them not by implementing the Supreme Court decision, thus being ridiculed in the international arena. The haliyas are not only depressed and sad at the moment they are facing crises like not even having a hut to hide their head due to lack of special packages for them. Gorkhapatra, p 10 (Sunday) Women slowly opening up on issues of sexual problems The women of a remote village of Saptari, Siswabeli VDC, who were limited only to the works at field and hearth, are slowly beginning to be aware of their sexual, reproductive and women rights issues in the recent days. Following their involvement in a community based project launched by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the women of these areas getting to understand these issues. Gorkhapatra, p 10 (Sunday)

6 Rape victim girl appeals for assistance in Taplejung A rape victim, saying that there has been daily rise in the criminal activities and the incidents of women ranging from a small minor girl to an old woman being raped is increasing, has appealed for strong action against the perpetrator. Kabita (name chaged), who was raped two weeks ago by Pradi Shrestha, 28, resident of Phungling-4, Taplejugn, has appealed with Women s Network for Justice for assistance. Annapurna Post, p 10 Two thousand families at risk of landslide A report has revealed that over two thousand families are still at risk of landslide at the remote northern part of Sankhuwasabha. Gorkhapatra, p 10 Mentally retarded at fetter since 14 years The family of Romlal Upadhyaya, 45, resident of Ghamir-1, Gulmi, has been forced to keep him at chain since 14 years due to their extremely weak economic condition. Upadhyaya had lost his mental balance in He had been to Nagaland at young age to do a wage laborer s job where he was mortally beaten by the locals and thrown into a gutter. He was later rescued by other Nepali workers. Nayapatrika, p 5 JUDICIARY ICJ points loopholes in security laws KATHMANDU, Aug 2: The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said on Sunday that Nepal s security legislatures require reform as they are outdated and contradict with a number of international human rights laws to which Nepal is a party. Urging Nepal to reform the laws, the ICJ further said that the existing legal framework, judicial and administrative practices raise serious human rights concerns. According to a report on National Security Laws and Human Rights Implications prepared by the ICJ, significant powers have been granted to executive without effective and adequate parliamentary and judicial oversight. Nepali security related laws have not only been formulated vaguely, they have also granted broad immunities to security forces but have lacked accountability mechanism, the report made public on Sunday said. The ICJ has also expressed concern over what it said extraordinary judicial power granted to chief district officers. The laws also encourage excessive use of force by the police and security forces without safeguards and judicial oversight, leading to erosion of the right to fair trial, due process and other fundamental rights. These legislative deficiencies have prevented the establishment of credible justice and security sector institutions in Nepal, perpetuating injustice and debilitating the rule of law, said the report. OTHER Jha rejects President Yadav's call for fresh oath Jha met President Yadav on Friday President, PM likely to meet over the issue on Monday Jha also consulting lawyers, leaders KATHMANDU, Aug 3: Paramananda Jha, who is at the center of controversy after the Supreme Court nullified his oath for the post of vice president, has turned down a request from President Dr Ram Baran Yadav to take a fresh oath in Nepali. During a meeting with the president on Friday evening, Jha declined the request, a highly-placed political source and Jha s close aides said. The meeting was arranged to seek a solution to the controversy after his oath in Hindi was nullified by the SC on July 24. Sources said the meeting was arranged upon the request of Jha, who, however, refused to comment on the meeting. A close aide to Jha confirmed that Jha had a 15-minute meeting with the president. The meeting was kept secret, fearing controversy it might have triggered, the source said. President Yadav, the source said, had asked Jha to take a fresh oath, but Jha turned down the request. Meanwhile, Yadav consulted his advisors and senior bureaucrats at his office on Sunday on finding solution to the oath row. The meeting decided to consult Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, president s principal advisor on administering a fresh oath to Jha. Yadav also consulted senior advocate and former attorney general Badri Bahadur Karki on Sunday. Karki reportedly suggested the President to consult the government on the issue.

7 Sources said Prime Minister Madhav Nepal is likely to meet Yadav on Monday. After the meeting, we will write to the government asking for suggestions on implementing the SC verdict, said a senior official at Shital Niwas. Jha also consulting lawyers In the meantime, Jha is also engaged in legal and political consultations. He met Chairman of the Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Mahantha Thakur on Sunday. He has invited over ten lawyers close to major political parties for consultations on Monday, said another aide to Jha. Advocate Tulsi Bhatta, one of the lawyers invited by Jha, confirmed that the meeting has been arranged. Don t stop rehabilitation of disqualified combatants: Maoist combatants Maoist combatants in Shaktikhor cantonments in Chitwan have expressed their dissatisfaction at the government s suspending the process of their rehabilitation. The combatants said they will lend full support to the government for rehabilitating the disqualified combatants. Kantipur, p 8 PM discusses India visit with officials Prime Minister Madhav Nepal discussed his upcoming India visit with Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala and secretaries Gyan Chandra Acharya and Madan Kumar Bhattarai among others on 2 August. Annapurna Post, p1 Foreign minister to propose three for ambassadors Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala is planning to propose Dr Shankar Sharma, Dr Suresh Chalise and Rukma Shumsher Rana for ambassadors to US, UK and India respectively at the cabinet meeting on 3 August. Kantipur, p1 Govt to form counter-intelligence wing The government is preparing to set up a powerful counter-intelligence wing to keep watch on activities of foreign powers. The wing will be responsible to the prime minister. Kantipur, p1 Maoists to launch autonomous provinces The Unified CPN (Maoist) at a press conference announced that it will expedite process of forming autonomous provinces and local bodies. The party said it will deploy its ethnic-based and region-based units for the purpose. Kantipur, p3 Maoists threaten new movement if past agreement not implemented within four days The Unified CPN (Maoist) at a press conference on 2 August has warned that it will launch a new movement if the four-point agreement reached among the political parties on 6 July are not implemented within four days. Rajdhani, p1 Melamchi locals agree to allow tunnel digging The government has reached agreement with locals of Melamchi on 2 August. The agreement will allow resumption of tunnel digging work for the Melamchi Water Supply Project. Locals of Melamchi in Sindhupalchowk district demand shifting the intake of Melamchi and better compensation for the locals land among other things. Kantipur, p 4 Maoists demand settlement of dispute over presidential move reinstating army chief The meeting of a political task-force held for preparing the procedures for a high-level political mechanism failed to enter the main agenda on 2 August after the Maoists said they would not participate in the task force as long as the issue of presidential move reinstating the army chief is not settled. Rajdhani, p1 President to discuss vice president s oath row with PM President Dr Ram Baran Yadav will discuss the problems created following Supreme Court s nullification of Vice President Paramananda s oath of office with the prime minister on 3 August. Rajdhani, p3 SC issues show cause notice to Vice President Jha KATHMANDU:The Supreme Court today issued a show cause notice to Vice President Paramananda Jha for holding the post without taking another oath in Nepali. A single bench of Justice Bharat Raj Upreti issued the notice following today s hearing. The bench also told the defendants President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, PM Madhav Kumar Nepal, VP Jha, the Constituent Assembly Secretariat, the PM s Office and the Cabinet to attend the hearing on August 11. After the hearing, the apex court will decide whether or not to issue a stay order. The bench also sought written explanation from the defendants within 15 days on why VP Jha was not abiding by the apex court order.

8 The SC on July 24 had termed that VP Jha s oath in Hindi language unconstitutional and asked him to take a fresh oath in Nepali. On July 28, a writ petition was filed seeking the court order to oust VP Jha through its quo warranto order stating that he had been holding the post unconstitutionally as the apex court already scrapped his oath taken a year ago. Two persons Nava Raj Neupane and Bishnu Prasad Banstola had moved the court seeking its intervention to make the VP abide by its order. They insisted that Jha possessed no authority to hold the post as he breached the Constitution as well. Secretary Mainali to resign today Secretary Umesh Mainali, who was transferred to the President s Office as principal secretary is set to resign on 3 August saying that the government has not handed him a formal letter pertaining to his new job even one week after his transfer. Rajdhani, p3 Maoist movement to continue until Maoist-led government is formed: Baburam Bhattarai Senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai has said his party will continue movement until a government is formed under Maoist leadership. Speaking in Pokhara on 2 August, he termed the present government as a puppet. Annapurna Post, p 1 Leaders request for including small parties in high-level political mechanism Leaders of various political parties have asked the big three parties Unified CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML to include fringe parties too in the high-level political mechanism. They were speaking at Reporters Club in Kathmandu on 2 August. Annapurna Post, p 4 Editorials Negligence in public health Government is still apathetic to control diarrhea and cholera outbreak in mid-west hill districts and neighboring districts. Health minister showed an extremely insensitive style by going for foreign visit rather than coordinating efforts to control the outbreaks. Meanwhile, health workers have started returning from the districts while the outbreaks are yet to be contained. Kantipur, p 6 Positive initiative The agreement among three top parties to form high-level political mechanism to seek consensus on constitution making, peace process will have a positive impact in Nepal s politics if the parties are honest to the agreement. Nagarik, p 6 A code that must be implemented Maoists have issued code of conduct to tame leaders who are adopting lavish lifestyle. The 15-point code of conduct aims to make leaders and cadres disciplined, dutiful and hard-working. Maoist leaders lifestyle had changed drastically in short time. If implemented by Maoists, and followed by other parties, the move will bring positive changes in Nepali politics. Nepal Samacharpatra, p 4 Unbridled ministers In a TV interview, supplies minister Rajendra Mahato openly criticized the SC verdict against vice president Paramananda Jha s oath. He also said he won t accept the SC verdict. Mahato s remarks are an example of the activities of political parties, leaders, ministers and recently vice president Jha who consider anarchy as their power. Rajdhani, p 6 High-level mechanism Saturday s agreement among the top three parties to form a high-level political mechanism to seek consensus on peace process and constitution making has infused new hopes among all people. Gorkhapatra, p 6 Message of Maoist CC meet The nearly month-long central committee meeting of UCPN-Maoist that ended on Saturday has not only changed the structure of party organization, but also given the message of unity in the party. Unity in Maoist was needed for peace process and constitution making, and the Maoist meeting did not go against the people s expectations. Janadisha, p 4 Op-ed articles White army red army Saurav says Nepal s situation at present is like that of Poland while the rest of the world is like France for us. Kantipur, p 7

9 There is Constituent Assembly, there isn t Constituent Assembly Yug Pathak says the only alternative left for resolving the political standoff in Nepal is to tear apart the illusion about whether alternatives exist or not and prepare a draft for new consensus-based politics. Kantipur, p 7 Nepal: On the borderline of future Veteran Maoist leader Mohan Bikram Singh, the general secretary of CPN (Masal), in an article says the way things are developing in Nepal, only suspicions are rising whether the country will see a new constitution. The Maoist roles in this regard is specially important. Rajdhani, p 6 Debate on language and nationalism following Supreme Court order Tikaram Yatri says the dispute over language in the country has specially hurt Maithili, Abadhi, Bhojpuri, Tharu and Kooch because their languages are under pressure from Nepali, the lingua franca of Nepal, and Hindi, which is being forced upon them as lingua franca. This issue is not just associated with Paramananda Jha s oath. Nepal Samacharpatra, p 4 Don t do anything to diminish respect of court Bikash Bhattarai says if Prime Minister Madhav Nepal wants to end impunity in the country then he should stop loving his chair and create atmosphere for Paramananda Jha to take oath of office in Nepali language. The prime minister should not fear about Madhesi parties possible withdrawal from the government over the issue. Nepal Samacharpatra, p 4 Financial federalism Bhim Prasad Bhurtel says restructuring of the state under federal structure helps entrench democracy and take democracy to communities and individuals while financial federalism is key under federalism. Annapurna Post, p 6 Journey of Maoists in changed situation Ram Chandra Bhattarai says it is difficult for the Maoists to remain uninvolved from the bourgeoisie lifestyle and atmosphere after leaving the jungle and joining the mainstream politics. Annapurna Post, p 7