Irresponsible Response To Ceasefire

The king has been irresponsible in how he has responded to the ceasefire. He is basically like, a ceasefire is not enough, surrender! That response presumes you are in this tremendous position of strength. And he plainly is not. He is politically the most isolated head of state on earth with an army that has the worst human rights records on earth. That is not strength.

The Maoist guerrillas fight an asymmetrical war. The very fact that there is a political and military stalemate shows they have been strong enough to bring the state army to a standstill. What changed in the past few months that has made the king or the state army stronger? The only thing that has happened is parties that refused to even consider the Constituent Assembly idea are now republican. The economy is in shambles. It is almost like the king is blind or something, or at least politically.

What exactly is he suggesting? Two possibilities. One, that a monarchy is better suited to run a country. Two, that it is not the monarchy, that it is him, that he is a more capable individual than any of the aspiring democrats, than Prachanda or Baburam.

I am not even going into the monarchy-democracy debate. I have better things to do with my time. As for the king's individual abilities, if he thinks it is not the monarchy-democracy debate, that he is more capable as an individual, he will have the option to float a party within a republic. Let the political marketplace decide if you are more capable.

It boils down to having a feudal mindset, about having an attitude problem, about not getting democracy. His love for an absolute monarchy is so strong, he would rather end up with a republic. His lack of flexibility points to that direction.

He seems to have a one point agenda: to not allow elections to a Constituent Assembly. The thing about an Assembly is, if the Maoists were to suddenly disappear, vanish, I would still want a Constituent Assembly. That is a no compromise issue for me. Assembly and federalism. The details can be worked out.

So if his one point agenda is to not allow elections to a Constituent Assembly, and if a Constituent Assembly is the only meeting point between the Maoists and the democrats, then that leaves room only for a strong coalition between the Maoists and the democrats to look for all possible options to reach that goal. Then it is not about dialogue and peace talks, it is about a showdown. Tactics change.

If the king had been reasonable, it would have been possible to go for a Constituent Assembly where a constitutional monarchy would have been guaranteed. Now we instead move towards a Constituent Assembly where a republic is guranteed. The people will not have the option to vote whether they want a constitutional monarchy or not. Maybe money thus saved will go to build schools and hospitals. Because a republic is the new meeting ground between the Maoists and the democrats.

Precisely because the king has been unreasonable in the way he has responded to the ceasefire, it is extra important for the Maoists to maintain it.

The seven parties need also to come up with a detailed program for massive nationwide peaceful protests. That is the only option.

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

• Nepal leadership needs to work with the rebels, if peace is to ... OhmyNews International, South Korea At a time when the Nepali people are desperately craving respite from a long and bloody struggle, it's a surprise to many that the government has been seemingly unwilling to respond in earnest to the recent ceasefire declared by the Maoists..... the government has denied any third-party participation in the peace process as it sees itself "capable of solving its internal matters on its own." ..... "the royal government lacks the competence, authority, and legitimacy to speak on behalf of the people of Nepal." ....... the opposing parties are planning to forge a defining dialogue with the rebels and also urge them to lay down their arms completely to help create a profound political understanding and fight the autocratic government through peaceful means.
• Guerrillas displace 800 families of security men in Nepal Xinhua, China Some 800 families of security personnel have been displaced from their ancestral homes in Nepal's eastern hilly districts .......The guerrillas forcibly dislodged the families from Paanchthar,Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga and Khotang districts, asking them to call back their relatives working in the army...... Most of the displaced families have fled to India and other countries
• Telephone services disrupted in Eastern districts NepalNews Jhapa, Ilam, Morang, Sunsari, Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Sankhuwasabha, Tajlejung and Paanchthar
• UN envoy on torture to assess Nepal situation: NewKerala.com, India Manfred Nowak, the United Nations' special rapporteur on torture, is to arrive in Kathmandu Saturday on a fact-finding mission..... The Kathmandu-based Centre for Victims of Torture, an NGO, estimates nearly 100,000 cases of torture are reported countrywide each year, affecting around 20,000 families. Nowak's visit comes about two months after a visit by UN secretary-general Kofi Annan's special adviser Lakhdar Brahimi.
• US proposes sanctuary for Tibetan refugees from Nepal: NewKerala.com, India Bush's Refugee Admissions Programme proposal for fiscal 2006, conveyed to the Congress Aug 30, includes a new programme to resettle "certain Tibetans from Nepal in the US..... resettle a section of Tibetans living in Nepal, particularly those who have been in the kingdom for several years and are considered especially vulnerable to deportation to China....... The US decision was made after consultations over a long period with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the administrative arm of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, based in Dharamsala in India, a statement by International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), an NGO with chapters in the US and Europe........ The ICT in a recent survey said it was getting more dangerous for Tibetan refugees to flee to India via Nepal as the Nepal government was intent on improving ties with China and had begun cracking down on the refugees....... According to the CTA, 125,381 Tibetan refugees were living in India, Nepal and Bhutan, as of March 2004, with some 2,500 new arrivals each year from Tibet. Approximately 10,000 Tibetans are living in the west.

Prachanda, Do Not Break The Ceasefire

If you break the ceasefire, you will be playing into the hands of the Monarchists, people who have no intention whatsoever to go for a Constituent Assembly. They will do all possible to make you break the ceasefire short of an all out military offensive. They will wage a media fight as they already have. They will spread rumors. They will spread falsities. Fight these things politically and with words, and wage your own media fight. Do not cave in.

The ceasefire has made a strong Maoist-Democrat alliance possible like never before. And the Monarchists are not liking it. They know such an alliance means doom to them. These Monarchists will not have any political career for the rest of their lives after democracy. They fear that eventuality and would like to postpone it as much as possible. If you break the ceasefire, you help them. So do not do it.

Sure, there have been a few incidents here and there, even a major fight of a few hours. But that does not amount to a breakdown of the ceasefire.

They attacked you in the state media by trying to make you look like an Indian stooge. You immediately hit back saying their allegations are not true. That is the spirit. Hit back like that every time you get hit with falsities. It is called rapid response. When they spread lies about you, and you don't speak up, people end up believing the lies. Do not let that happen.

Your goal is peace, democracy and progress. Your method is a Constituent Assembly. That Assembly can be achieved with or without the Monarchists. But it can not be achieved without the seven parties. A Maoist-Democrat alliance is in sight. The Monarchists are tempting you to break the ceasefire so the possibilities of such an alliance can be scuttled, and if such an alliance does not form, they do not have to face a Constituent Assembly.

So, watch out. Don't become your enemy's friend by playing into their hands. Be my friend. Be a friend to the democrats. We are under physical assualt on a daily basis as we speak.

No matter what you do, DO NOT break the ceasefire. Be the democrat's friend, do not become the Monarchist's friend. We are not attched to the monarchy, but we are attached to democracy. We are so attached to democracy, we would be willing to confront you for that, as we are willing to confront the monarch. I trust your commitment to a Democratic Republic, but we have to be careful about the steps leading to the Assembly.

You did the ceasefire thing for the democrats, not for the Monarchists. Don't let them steal the gift that is meant for us.

The RNA can not legitimately organize a major military offensive on a PLA that has declared a ceasefire. If they do, they end up at the Hague. So do not, do not break the ceasefire. Play smart. Do not let them mess up your smartest move to date.

Continuing with the ceasefire is also a way to win the hearts of the RNA foot soldiers who joined the RNA for the salary, not to die. They are all janata ko chhora. They are not ideologue Monarchists. See that distinction.

Do not, do not break the ceasefire.

In The News

• Maoist chairman warns of breaking ceasefire NepalNews ..... Prachanda referred to incidences including arrest of three pro-Maoist cadres affiliated to Tharuwan in the mid-western district of Banke and attack on Maoist cadres in Jajarkot. ...... On the other hand, the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has alleged the Maoists of engaging in violent activities even after declaring unilateral ceasefire. The RNA said the insurgents have abducted Karma Raj Budha and his wife from Ranga Gaon in Dolpa district, some students from a school at Tringra Gaon in Mugu district and five civilians from Ridikot and Sera ilaka from far-western district of Achham........ The rebels have abducted an unarmed policeman from Hapure ilaka in Dang district on Monday, the army said...... The last ceasefire between the government and Maoists broke off from Hapure in Dang three years ago.
• FM Pandey to lead Nepali delegation in UN assembly
• Court continues hearings on RCCC, Parajuli case
• Dozens arrested from seven-party protests in Kathmandu
• Indian ambassador meets Koirala
• Telephone services disrupted in Eastern districts
• Court can’t examine the royal order: RCCC “The (royal) order cannot be examined by the apex court under Article 88 (1) of the constitution. The apex court can only examine the legislation made by the parliament but not the orders issued by the King under Article 127.” ..... Experts, however, say the country’s constitution explicitly outlines the role and responsibility of a constitutional monarch, not an executive monarch..... “The formation order of the RCCC under Article 127 of the Constitution and the constitution itself states that such an order has to be produced before the parliament. This is a matter to be delved into by the legislature and not to be examined by the apex court.” ...... Saying that the King is the protector of the Constitution and that he has the authority to issue such an order, the RCCC said since we are working as per the King’s order, there is no question to be settled by the apex court....... Critics say to empower a single entity with all such powers is simply against the principle of natural justice.
• Nepal anti-king protests continue, dozens detained Reuters AlertNet, UK as many as 6,000 demonstrators who rallied in an open square in the capital where the royal government has banned gatherings and demonstrations. ...... The protestors chanted “Long live democracy”, “Down with autocracy” and “We want a republic system in Nepal”...... and in August they said they would hold talks with the Maoists on forming a broad front against Gyanendra, provided the rebels stop killing civilians, as they have promised.....The 82-year-old Koirala who fainted during a scuffle with police when protesters tried to break through a police cordon
• Nepal protesters clash with police Calcutta Telegraph
• Dozens held in violent Nepal protests Gulf Times
• UN trip cancellation costs Nepal king dear: NewKerala.com the cancellation will cost the state exchequer dear ...... the king decided to put off his visit at the last moment due to the increasing cold shoulder by the various international leaders with whom he had sought a bilateral meeting........ an American event organiser in New York, entrusted with arranging the dinner bash, is demanding $25,000 from the cash-strapped Nepal government ...... The government had already paid American P. Cohen $25,000 for the initial arrangements .... He had booked the venue, organised the catering and even sent out the invitations ..... Now Cohen is demanding the government pay him another $25,000 ...... the arrangements were coordinated by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) ..... Nepal is one of the poorest countries .... faces a financing gap of $7.6 billion..... the palace had entrusted a former prime and royalist the task of organising a mammoth pro-king rally here on the eve of Gyanendra's departure for the UN. ..... Former prime minister Marich Man Singh was to have gathered 50,000 demonstrators to take out a rally .... The rally was to have been in answer to the protests by opposition parties in the capital
  
• US proposes sanctuary for Tibetan refugees from Nepal: NewKerala.com, India Tibetan refugees from Nepal will be provided sanctuary and resettled in the US under a new programme proposed by the George W. Bush administration and slated to start next year.
• War by other means Asia Times Online, Hong Kong The shift in Maoist strategy that had been emerging since June has now crystallized in what is evidently a tactical and – for Kathmandu – deeply unsettling unilateral declaration of ceasefire........ the Maoists have launched the next phase of their strategic advance, seeking a more complete polarization of political forces in Nepal, with King Gyanendra increasingly pitted against all others....... The present unilateral truce can be expected to herald a process of feverish overground mobilization and political activity, even as the Maoists continue with a process of quiet military recovery and consolidation. In this, the Maoists would exploit the persistent and widespread misconception that the insurgency "had to be eventually resolved through negotiations"........ The monarchy is now – infinitely more than it was before February 1 – regarded as an anachronism, and the only relevant consideration remaining appears to be to define the terms of its dissolution........ Koirala echoed the Marxists: "The days of the king are gone. Now his days at the throne are numbered, you can start counting his days." ....... war, as Carl von Clauswitz remarked, is just "the continuation of politics by other means". What is being engineered in Nepal is, at once, both military and political, and there is not the remotest possibility of excluding one or the other from the evolving dynamic....... The current ceasefire is a link in a chain of initiatives that seeks the de facto transformation of the prevailing equation of power and of the status of the rebel group in Nepal, and this is consistent with the circumstances that have emerged out of each phase of "peaceful negotiations" in the past........ Both war and peace are now conditions imposed by them, demonstrating fairly clearly where the initiative and control is located in the present conflict. ....... it appears to have at least an implicit Indian catalyst, and is believed to have emerged from the "consultations" between leaders of India's left parties, partners in the ruling coalition at Delhi, and the top Maoist leadership, which was brought to the Indian capital under obvious intelligence cover in May. The king's obduracy has been substantially to blame for the evolving shift in the Indian position ........ you simply have to deal with the Maoists – their power is a fact ...... a belief that a prolonged process of negotiations and possible participation of the Maoists in the political order or political processes in Kathmandu will moderate the orientation of at least some of their leaders and transform their goals.......... Gyanendra has lent himself further to the process of Maoist consolidation in Nepal, forcing the hapless political parties into Prachanda's arms ....... Having painted himself into a corner as far as all his potential "natural allies", both within the country and in the international community, are concerned, the king now stands utterly isolated – unless he chooses an uncharacteristic and dramatic retreat from positions he has intransigently held since his takeover on February 1.......... For those who see in the Maoist ceasefire an offer in good faith of peaceful or political resolution, it is of vital importance to note that the announcement came within two days of a joint statement by the Nepalese and Indian Maoists (under the signature of Prachanda and Ganapathy, the general secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of India – Maoist) reiterating their "pledge to fight unitedly till the entire conspiracies hatched by the imperialists and reactionaries are crushed and the people's cause of socialism and communism are established in Nepal, India and all over the world"......... The Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is still staggering under the consequences of an ill-considered period of a false peace and a deceitful process of "negotiations", which the Maoists exploited to further consolidate their position both within Andhra and in neighboring states, before they unleashed a campaign of escalating violence......... the weak blandishments and importunities of politically marginalized parties in Nepal, or by the patternless plotting of vacillating states and their agencies that cannot even begin to consistently define the outcome they seek to secure
• Maoist Cease-fire Who’s Falling Into Whose Trap Gorkhapatra, Nepal the Maoists, while launching their armed rebellion in 1995, had declared the establishment of a republic in Nepal as its main objective........ Even international partners against terrorism like the U.S, U.K. and India are being forced to reconsider their stands on the Maoists....... Popular belief that India has the largest say in controlling the Maoist movement in Nepal is being proven to be a fact........ Or could it even be that the Maoists have managed to snare India in its web of lies and deceit? Or is it the political parties playing the Maoists in their quest for power? ........ Initially, the establishment of a constituent assembly was made the minimum meeting point. And when the parties were fooled into agreeing to this, they raised the stakes by making a “Democratic Republic” as the minimum meeting point to jointly work against the state......... ostensibly in anticipation of the upcoming Dashain festival, while the same did not warrant consideration in the past 2-3 Dashains. The state’s preparation to attend the UN General Assembly and the international support that could have been garnered in the fight against terrorism must have been the primary reason for the timing of the declaration.......... this truce has also been declared on a high note, soon after their apparent success at Pili, which was a crucial morale booster....... The absence of any concrete demand for a negotiated settlement in its 2-page communiqué indicates that the Maoists will use this period to regroup, rearm and reorganise its depleted resources. Their prime objective of having the state alter its scheduled visit to the UN having been met, the people’s opinion towards its move also made favourable to some extent, the next objective in its scheme would be to infiltrate the ongoing streets protests into violence and influence its outcome to assist attainment of their ultimate goal of a People’s Republic.......... That the truce will be broken citing refusal for talks by the state and non-cooperation from the political parties is a foregone conclusion. After achieving a majority of their strategic goals to rejuvenate their cadres, reestablish their urban network, replenish their supply of arms, and prepare for yet another stretch of extended terror tactics, they are sure to leave all those that lay claim in facilitating the ceasefire wondering how they were taken for a three-month ride.
• The Prachanda Path Towards Urban Insurrection Dissident Voice, CA a three-month ceasefire. This is particularly significant in that the move is a unilateral one. ......Royal Nepali Army, which is reportedly unhappy with the war and the king....... , seem less concerned with the government’s response than with the reaction of the mainstream political parties sidelined and abused since the king’s February 1 coup. ........ two ceasefires since the People’s War began in 1996--- from June to November 2001 and January to June 2003........ the Maoists control about 80% of the country. They already operate as a government (of the People’s Republic of Nepal) and from a position of strength have simply announced that they will conduct no offensive actions through November. ...... In past peace talks, the Maoists’ insisted on the convening of a national assembly to fashion a new constitution as their condition for ending the revolutionary war. They shelved their initial demand for the abolition of the monarchy, but talks deadlocked when the king and the parliamentary parties refused to abandon the current constitution. ........ the five radio stations broadcasting from Maoist turf stayed on the air. ..... Now, Gyanendra’s worst fear is a united front of the Maoists and the mainstream parties. The likelihood of that might be reduced if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the Nepali Congress Party, which has filed a lawsuit demanding the restoration of the legislature---something the politicians want but the Maoists consider pointless. ..... The party presence in the capital and surrounding region (where most of the wealthy live) is reportedly weaker than in the provinces, although its student and women’s organizations are quite powerful in the city. A united front could provide conditions for a more powerful presence, even as a ceasefire allows the Maoists to further consolidate political power in the zones more or less under its control. The relationship between the People’s War in the countryside and the capital city of Kathmandu is the crucial issue as Nepal faces the very real prospect of revolution. ....... James Moriarty has warned that “Nepal is getting to the point where its very existence is at stake,” and in June raised the specter of guerrillas marching into downtown Kathmandu “within the next 12 to 14 months.” I assume he echoes the best U.S. intelligence on this issue........ The Maoist strategy involves protracted People’s War and the surrounding of cities from the countryside, where the communist-led forces establish base areas and liberated zones, expanding through the stages of strategic defensive, strategic equilibrium, and strategic offensive. The Maoists believe they are now in the last phase. ...... The Maoists plan to complement their conquest of the countryside with an urban insurrection....... the residents of Kathmandu won’t simply line the streets to meet columns of arriving guerrillas, but be active participants in an uprising during or before the latter’s advance. ...... the Prachanda Path is summed up in the slogan: “Let us consolidate and expand our base areas and move forwards towards a people’s government in the center.”........ Moriarty for his part told the Nepali press last month, “If I were a Maoist, I’d think I was making good progress... I would try to put differences between the parties and the palace, and get them to do the Maoist business of tearing down the political structure.” ........ They want a secular, socialist republic, radical land reform, universal education and medical care, equal rights for men and women and members of all ethnic groups, abolition of the caste system. But short term, they want a constitutional assembly, involving all parties......... a two-stage revolution, the first to attain limited objectives, the second more ambitious ....... massive rallies in Kathmandu involving both the alliance parties and the Maoists, and maybe defectors from the military and police, we will hear the death-knell of Nepal as a Hindu kingdom trapped in the Middle Ages. And then maybe, soon thereafter, the strains of the Internationale. ...... The U.S. press tends to ignore the Indian Maoists, but they too have been growing, acquiring broader support, consolidating organizationally, holding huge rallies, successfully calling for bandhs, creating guerrilla zones preparatory to establishing base areas, engaging in what they consider People’s War....... what’s been happening in Nepal since 1996 has been happening in India as well ......

Positive Signs

M&M are both showing some flexibility. They both are laying conditions for talks. That is one step ahead of saying I will not talk to you. Now they are saying, I will talk to you but. That is progress.

On the other hand, the Maoists are also taking the initiative. They are doing the initiative thing better than the other two camps. They have put forth major programs of peaceful protests for the next three months. I think that is commendable. Peaceful protest programs are a great idea.

I think this is fantastic. The Maoists are so totally taking the lead. They are like, we announced a ceasefire, and it will succeed even if you don't cooperate, because we are now going to engage in massive peaceful protest programs.

I like that attitude. I think they are going to emerge the largest party after peace and a new constitution.

The peaceful protests will also give them an opportunity to train their cadres to the peaceful methods of political power. I have heard they have over 100,000 core supporters. If they could train them well in the peaceful methods, they could easily become the party of a governing majority.

I look forward to their land reform program. I really do.

The Maoists are the ones taking the initiative for peace now. That is so wonderful. They have constantly surprised me over the past week.

Their peaceful protest program is as big a news as the ceasefire itself. And as positive. They don't want their ceasefire to become meaningless simply because the Monarchists will not cooperate. I like that attitude.

Jasle maha kadhchha, usle haat chatchha. If the Maoists will be taking all the initiatives for peace, democracy and progress, it is they who deserve to emerge the largest political party in Nepal.

I am so thrilled right now. After the thrill of the ceasefire, I was worried the act might go in vain for the obstinacy of the Monarchists and the mental lethargy of the democrats. I am not worried no more.

Way to go Prachanda.

At this rate you could end up with CPN (M) in power in Nepal and Karat's CPI (M) in power in India.

The government saying give up arms for talks is not the attitude of people who want or know how to bring peace. These are incompetent people. These are people with major attitude problems. You don't start your peace talks by asking the other side to surrender!

The Maoists have taken some very positive steps.

First Baburam provides a theoretical framework for why the Maoists are for a Democratic Republic. And this is not an imitation of Madan Bhandari. Bhandari's move was more like, okay, so let's face reality here. Baburam's move is on much firmer theoretical ground. He offers a total analysis of the entire communist movement, and is openly critical of its obvious failures.

And then Prachanda makes the brilliant tactical move of a ceasefire. This is the best military move of Prachanda's military career, by a wide margin. In one move he managed to freeze his enemy army.

And now they have made the brilliant political move of peaceful protest programs for the next three months.

I have never been more impressed with these Maoist freaks before. Their strategy for success no longer depends on what the other two camps will or will not do.

The Monarchists have still not warmed up to the idea of a Constituent Assembly. That is why they talk nonsense when they claim to talk peace.

A strong alliance between the Maoists and the seven parties is but natural: they are the two forces for an Assembly.

Move right on.

If you are going to end up with CPN (M) in power in Nepal, and the CPI (M) in power in India - after all, they are the fastest growing party there - and a CCP in power in China, how dead is communism?

Baburam's theoretical work could put him in the top leagues with the big names in communist history. His blunt criticisms of deviated communists make it possible for him to imagine new stuff. Communist thinking is supposed to be a science: you are supposed to constantly face the facts. The deviated communists were used to presenting it as dogma. As in, are you Christian, or are you a Communist?

The multi-party framework has to be embraced, and right to property has to be seen as fundamental as right to free speech. As long as Prachanda-Baburam can stick within those two parameters, they stand to steer the world communist movement. This kind of rhymes with what I have had to say to Google recently. (See: Google's To Do List Keeps Growing)

No, they don't end up like the Social Democrats in Europe any more than the Americans who introduced massive social welfare programs in the 1930s became communists.

These guys are really upto something. They are the only political party in Nepal likely to get into the business of exporting democracy. And exported it must be. You don't keep the goodies to yourself. You share them.

In The News

• Parents of Maoist leaders call for cessation of violence NepalNews Official RSS news agency reported that Muktiram Dahal, father of CPN (Maoist) chairman Prachanda alias Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nanda Kumari Thapa, mother of senior Maoist leader ‘Badal’ alias Ram Bahadur Thapa have urged their sons to lay down arms and come to the peace talks...... Stating that the King is the guardian of all the people, they appealed to the political parties and the Maoists to join hands with the King and save the nation by holding peace negotiations ...... The Maoist leaders have, however, ruled out possibility of talks with the royal government unless it agrees to take up their major demands including election to the constituent assembly to draw a new constitution.
• NGO Federation welcomes ceasefire
• Seven-party demonstrations continue; scores injured for the fourth consecutive day Wednesday..... Police charged batons, fired several rounds of tear gas shells and used water canons to disperse the protesters. At least six-dozen leaders including UML’s Yuba Raj Gyawali and Ishwor Pokhrel, Nepali Congress leaders Bal Bahadur Rai, Mahatha Thakur, Dr Ram Saran Mahat and Chhaya Devi Parajuli, NC (D)’s Prakash Saran Mahat and Dr Minendra Rijal were arrested..... According to them, the government has detained them without producing detention warrants.
• Performance of the govt. is not worth commenting: Chand .... Former prime minister and staunch royalist, Lokendra Bahadur Chand has said the performance of the council of ministers led by King Gyanendra himself is not worth..... it would be good not to engage in the trouble of evaluating this government. The government hasn't fulfilled any promises that were made in the royal proclamation of February 1........ let's not even talk about the RCCC as the discussion on its legitimacy is being discussed in the court now. “However, personally speaking, I don't have a positive outlook towards the royal commission” ....... there should necessarily be understanding between the king and the political parties. If there is still some possibility left, even though however small or inconsequential, then it should be weighed up from all the angles and aspects....... the possibility of talks (between the monarch and the agitating parties) is gradually waning ....... there is still some time left; the time hasn't really passed. Everybody should make amendments ....... I don't wish to become a prime minister anymore. I have fulfilled the responsibility of prime minister many times. I am equally ready to find a solution to the problem facing the country by staying outside. It would be a great honour to be able to contribute in finding a solution to this problem as a citizen ....... “At the moment His Majesty the king has sufficient options before him. I am of the firm belief that His Majesty would take appropriate decision as per the country's situation and aspirations” ......... there was no need for him to give His Majesty any personal suggestion. “His Majesty himself is very knowledgeable. I have heard that His Majesty reads all the newspapers himself. Because of that I think he is pretty informed and abreast with everything that is happening”
• ICRC yet to resume visit of detention centers ..... Nearly six months after it stopped visiting detention centers maintained by the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA), the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC)
• Maoists announce nationwide protests from Sept 10 Prachanda today announced nationwide protest programs from September 10 to December 3....... Prachanda said his party would carry out protest programs at the district level, in phases, throughout the truce period. As part of the protests, a massive publicity campaign would be spearheaded, among others, in favour of party’s key demands – an interim government, election to the constituent assembly and a republican setup...... pledged to cooperate the political parties in their agitations in Maoist-controlled areas...... Prachanda’s statement further said talks with agitating political parties and civil society representatives for a joint movement would be initiated soon.
• EU welcomes ceasefire
  
• I haven’t met Indian leaders: Prachanda ...... denied reports that claimed that he had met senior Indian officials in New Delhi recently...... In an interview with online edition of his party’s mouthpiece, Janadesh ....... challenged Nepali officials to prove their allegations that he had met Indian officials and that the ceasefire was announced as per their plans....... Prachanda said it was important to see after three or four days of his party’s announcement that the royal regime was not in favour of peace or any political solution. The main reasons for the Maoist decision (to go for unilateral ceasefire) was to create an environment for what he called ‘forward-looking political way out’ at both the national and international level, encourage seven political parties for collaboration and politically intervene on the `old regime.’ ..... Prachanda said his party did not see any rationale or prospect of holding talks with the royal government. He, however, said his party could hold talks, with the consent of political parties and the civil society, if the government too declares ceasefire and makes clear that it is ready to let people decide their own fate....... the Maoist chairman made it clear that the unilateral call for truce did not mean to influence the forthcoming UN General Assembly (or the proposed visit by the Nepalese monarch to New York). He also denied reports that the ceasefire was announced in consultation with the seven opposition parties. “We took this decision based on our own political analysis.”
• CPN (M) Statement INSN
• Maoist Statement Announcing Ceasefire INSN
  
• Cry, The Beloved Country UWB Today morning in Kantipur Daily, I saw a pathetic picture of Vishwa Bhasha Campus Free Student Union chairman Santosh Bhatta, his grey shirt painted by blood. Unable to bear the disgust, I sprang out my room and headed for RR College. The erstwhile pacific and academic-looking Exhibition Road turned into battleground. Students of Vishwa Bhasha Campus were retaliating the beating of their chairman........ The flame stemming from the tire at the middle of the road was rendering the ambience ablaze. The smoke emanating from the half-burnt tire was causing difficult to inhale, adding more carbondioxide to already pollutted air. Quite environment-unfreindly! Students recoiling inside the campus as if it were a haven were throwing bricks at baton wielding riot force. The tires were burning into cinders. One agressive-looking guy threw yet another tire into the pyre while police watched that from stone’s throw away.......Fear was wrought large in wayfarers’ faces. There, of course were few curious viewers, supporting the student’s cause and giving an anti-establishment air. The crowd was swollen but the observers easily outnumbered the protesters. Police seemed waiting for orders to lathicharge while students were bustling in and out of the gate. I noticed that Sajha Prakashan’s sales point was there inside the campus area. I had skimmed through the Nepali masterpieces kept in order out there. Those books obviously adhered to peace. But what was happening just outside was at odds with its credo.
• Call truce and we'll talk, Nepal Maoists tell king Newindpress, India
• Give up arms to show your sincerity, Nepal govt tells Maoists Rediff
• 7-party agitation continues in Nepal for 4th day Outlook (subscription), India
• Nepal weighs response on ceasefire, parties welcome the move Press Trust of India
• Dozens held in violent protests against Nepal king Reuters AlertNet, UK
• Give up arms to show your sincerity, Nepal Govt tells Maoists Outlook (subscription), India
• NEPAL: Five journalists injured in police beating in 7-party ... Asia Pacific Media Network, CA
• Bar Nepal from using int'l fora: Parties ask Annan Kathmandu Post, Nepal
• Nepal’s lone war on terrorism – I Nepalnews.com, Nepal

Protests

The King Should Now Move To Step 2

Step 1 was cancelling his trip to my town, New York City. Great move.

Step 2 would be to reciprocate to the Maoist ceasefire.

The ceasefire is the best volley the Maoists have thrown towards their opponents to date. The king could take the negative approach here and lose even more ground. Or he could react positively and creatively keeping in mind the best interests of the Nepali people.

The ceasefire does not have to end up a win-lose situation. It can be turned into a win-win situation.

And if the king were to not do the right thing now, the message he would be sending is that he would rather have more war, more fighting, more loss to lives and property.

The king says he is distrustful of the Maoists. If I were him, that would be my first reaction also. But now there has to be a pause and a rethink. You don't have to trust them. All you have to do is to get them to accept international human rights monitors in all their military installations. And you offer to do the same.

So the ceasefire is genuine, and not the lull before the storm, the next round of fighting. Because, so far, the next round has always been more vicious. And we don't want a repeat of that.

In The News

• Full Text of the Letter sent by seven opposition parties to UN Secretary General NepalNews ..... the current council of ministers formed under the chairmanship of King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah has no legitimate authority to represent the sovereign people of our country....... The February 1 royal take over in essence represents the ultimate step in the process of consolidating political power by King Gyanendra that he initiated by arbitrarily dismissing the constitutionally elected government on October 4, 2002......... Following the undemocratic and unconstitutional royal take over. King Gyanendra has appointed his puppet cabinet, destroyed democratic institutions and rule of law, and issued executive orders and ordinances infringing fundamental civil, political and human rights. The King has constituted a supra and unconstitutional body called Royal Commission for Control of Corruption, in parallel to an already existing constitutional body, with the motive of political vendetta against political leaders opposed (to) the royal take over. Likewise, the King has created various illegitimate authorities e. g., regional and zonal administrators with unlimited power vested on them to primarily repress and intimidate the democratic opposition to his absolute regime. The King has nominated his loyalists to otherwise elected positions of district development committees to consolidate his position. The King's handpicked council of ministers, as it comprises of notorious criminals, perpetrators of human rights violations and willful loan defaulters, is a matter of disgrace and dishonor to the nation. The country is now ruled by the absolute law of force........ The King, through a series of actions, following the royal takeover, made the chances for the peaceful solution of the violent conflict even more remote....... the political parameters within which a peaceful solution to the present crisis is possible....... our common platform in which we propose the reinstatement of the Third House of Representatives, formation of a government of all party consensus, free, fair and peaceful elections to the constituent assembly following peace negotiations with the insurgent Maoists, and inclusive restructuring of the state as a way out of the current crisis........ At this critical juncture in the history of Nepal, we need greater support and understanding of international community to stop our country from sliding towards a failed state. Not just political but also all economic indicators point to our heading in that direction........ the seven major political parties that together constituted ninety-five percent of the members of the last parliament of Nepal, would like to convey our strong feeling that the present royal regime and its political representatives have no competence, authority and legitimacy to represent and speak on behalf of the sovereign people of Nepal.......
  
• Seven-party protests continue; dozens arrested journalists covering the protest program were mistreated by the police...... Vowing to violate the government’s prohibitory orders, the seven parties have intensified their agitations in Kathmandu since Saturday.
• Indian envoy meets UML gen secy at the latter’s Koteshwor resident Tuesday morning...... the ceasefire announced by the Maoists will contribute towards creating an environment in which a peace process can begin
• ‘Truce was declared at New Delhi’s behest’ As welcome statements continue to pour in from different quarters over the three-month unilateral ceasefire declared by Maoist supremo Prachanda on Saturday, an Indian daily newspaper has reported that the truce was called “at the behest of New Delhi” to put international pressure on King Gyanendra for a dialogue........ “It is believed that the supreme leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Pushpa Kamal Dahal, better known as Comrade Prachanda, was in India recently for talks with officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Cabinet Secretariat.” ....... According to the news report, which was widely cited by Nepali dailies – government’s mouthpieces Gorkhapatra and The Rising Nepal dailies ran elaborate reports on Tuesday based on The Pioneer story -, the Prime Minister’s Office [India] and the Ministry of External Affairs have clearly ignored, in pursuing a deal with the rebel leader, the stand of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs that maintains a tough stand against the Nepali rebel outfit......... The CPI (Marxist) took initiatives in these dealings, The Pioneer claimed......
  
• Annan ready to help Nepal Annan Tuesday said his office was ready to help parties in Nepal reach agreement but hoped they would take steps leading to peace negotiations.
• Nepal king cancels UN trip as opposition mounts Reuters AlertNet, UK Days before the guerrillas announced the ceasefire, Nepal's main political parties said they would consider joining hands with the rebels to launch joint protests against Gyanendra...... the widespread international disapproval that followed Gyanendra's assumption of power may have forced him to cancel his visit.
• Nepal says not confident about Maoist truce Reuters AlertNet
• Nepal Government Questions Maoists Ceasefire Announcement SouthAsia Network
• Third day of protests in Nepal Calcutta Telegraph
• Nepal king cancels UN trip as opposition mounts Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates
• Nepal king cancels UN visit Times of India, India
• Gyanendra does not represent us: Nepal parties to tell Annan Indian Express
• Despite protests, Nepal king to address General Assembly: NewKerala.com
• Pressure mounting, King plans to skip UNGA Newindpress
• India's Maoist revolutionaries PeaceJournalism.com
• Indian Envoy Meets Madhav Nepal Himalayan Times, Nepal
• Indian Envoy Meets Thapa Himalayan Times
• B'desh allows tri-nation gasline to Nepal through India Deccan Herald, India
• Government Response To Maoist Truce Is Tragic: Leaders Kantipur Just when the major political parties, civic society, business entrepreneurs and human rights organizations were expecting a constructive role on part of the government over the three-month unilateral ceasefire announced by the Maoists, the government Monday evening issued a statement that neither welcomed nor took the Maoist statement positively....... “I have sensed a language of panic in the government statement,” CPN-UML leader Jhalnath Khanal says. “Either it is trying to disband the peace process or is trying to ignore it.” ....... Minendra Rijal says that the government was not serious to find a political solution...... Krishna Pahadi says that the “immature response of the government exposed its true nature.”.....
  
• UML to initiate dialogue with Maoists
• UN welcomes Maoist announcement of truce
• Parties urge govt to reciprocate truce offer
• New Road Tense As Police Lost Their Temper UWB Police fired a tear gas shell on the sky of New Road this evening targeting to disperse an agitated crowd of journalists. Scribes were shouting slogans against police because police lathi-charged over them indiscriminately. Ironically, some policemen were caught into that tear gas later......... Wagle, who suffered injury in his right knee as a stone hit him while taking photos. He also accidentally inhaled tear gas and faced problem in breathing for about 30 minutes..... As journalists were protesting the lathi-charge over their comrades, police became furious and started charging indiscriminately over the scribes. At least 15 journalists were hurt........ this blogger accidentally inhaled the gas and felt the impact of the gas. And that was terrible. ...... Police beat even those journalists who waived off their identity cards and those journalists who were wearing yellow colored jacked with the word PRESS printed on it. Then journalists held a meeting on the middle of the road in New Road. They chanted slogans against excessive use of force over them and demanded apology form police. Later, a police officer showed up in the gathering and said “Sorry”. ....... Journalists found at least two vigilante police in the appearance of reporters. Those police-reporters were passing information from reporters’ camp to the police and signaling when to fire tear gas shells....... Police stormed into a house and lathi-charged over the people there....... It was a bit different today in a sense that police were more intolerant to the slogans and protestors. Police tried to disrupt the gathering and sloganeering even in non-prohibited area. Once, police attacked over protestors just when the protestors were chanting slogans against monarchy and against the autocracy. That was quite strange compared to earlier days....... Protestors pelted stones to the police only after they were attacked by the forces. ..... Police seemed to be uncontrolled. Commanding officers were not capable of handling their boys. Once, I saw a group of riot police harassing a group of women on the footpath of New Road. One of them was warning not to do anything to women and other was determined to charge lathis over women....... Several journalists, including Bimal Gautam (yellow jacket) were beaten up by police..... Journalist Kiran Nepal addressed an on-the-spot-meeting of journalist on the middle of the New Road. Nepal was actively involved defending reporters’ right to freely report in those moments of tension.

King Cancels UN Visit

This has to be seen as a victory on two fronts for the democrats.

1. The scheduled protest rally for September 16 was gathering so much momentum that he felt it was best not to face it. It was not just us. Numerous countries were going to organize a walkout in the General Assembly when the king was set to speak.
   
2. The ball has really started to roll after the Maoist ceasefire. The king is under intense pressure to reciprocate. He can not afford to leave the country.
   

This is great news. Our September 16 rally has been proven a grand success. Just the threat of it worked.

King’s UN visit cancelled
KOL Report

This News was Posted on: 2005-09-05 18:03:54

KATHMANDU, Sept 6 - King Gyanendra’s proposed UN visit has been cancelled, according to a highly placed government source.

The source disclosed on Monday that the government has cancelled the booking of the plane of the national flag carrier, RNAC, signaling that the monarch’s visit stands cancelled.

The monarch was scheduled to visit New York to address the 60th session of the UN General Assembly on September 16, which will be attended by the heads of states of more than 170 countries.

Now, Nepal will be represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Ramesh Nath Pandey. The list of other officials accompanying Pandey has not been released yet.

This development comes two days after Maoist supremo Prachanda announced a three-month ceasefire on Saturday. Prachanda has also called for UN involvement in resolving the ongoing conflict.

• Royal visit to the UN canceled: Reports NepalNews ..... No reasons were given...... royal palace on Monday instructed the Foreign Ministry to stop preparation for His Majesty’s visit to New York and Germany........Foreign Ministry then informed the members of the royal entourage about the cancellation of the visit over phone...... The Foreign Ministry had arranged Rs 102 million for the royal visit....... ‘Nepal Road Show’-- the programme being organised jointly by Nepal Tourism Board and Nepali travel trade entrepreneurs—in various US cities coinciding with the royal visit has also been canceled...... Foreign ministry officials also failed to organize meetings between heads of governments of various western countries and the king. A number of Nepali and international organizations were reportedly planning to organize demonstrations in New York and other American cities....... the controversy pointed towards a complete `showdown’ between the royal government and the opposition parties

Protests

To Trust Or Not To Trust The Maoists

Do I personally trust the Maoists? I don't have to. I do business with the Maoists. I look at their public words and actions. I have measurement points. I have marks. There are stepping stones they can step on to earn my trust. It is step by step and it is always measurable.

Between a Maoist outfit that is at war with the state and one that has declared an unilateral ceasefire, I trust the later about ten times more. They earned it.

What should the state do? The state should reciprocate. It should declare its own three month long ceasefire. And then it should go one step further. The state should say, we are concerned this ceasefire is a tactical military move on the part of the Maoists. They are only doing it so as to recuperate and rest and gather strength, so they can attack us even more fiercely at the end of those three months. And so we request the international human rights monitors to be allowed access to all their military installations to make sure this is not the lull before the storm, that instead this indeed is a ceasefire. And we will offer the same to those monitors.

Now that would be a proactive approach. And if the state were to do that, then I would give the state the benefit of doubt, that these indeed are people who want peace for the country, but are careful not to get outsmarted by the Maoists.

But instead the words and actions of the regime since the announcement of the ceasefire makes me feel I do not trust the regime. These are not people who want peace. These are people who want a continued low intensity civil war in the country so they can keep on in power for as long as possible.

Prove me wrong later with your 20/20 hindsight, but my reading of the situation is I do trust the Maoists. I think their call for a ceasefire is genuine. They intend to seek a permanent peace during these three months. But they will not be humiliated, that's for sure. They were humiliated during every prior peace talk.

The Maoists came out saying they do not wish to hold talks with the regime. I don't blame them for that. It is the regime which has said that, that they do not want to hold talks with the Maoists. The Maoists have said the only way they will talk with the government is if it were to revert back to the pre 2/1 era in terms of fundamental rights. I agree with the rights part 110%.

The regime has warned the Maoists they will be militarily defeated or they could surrender. The Maoists in turn have warned a higher level offensive than ever before.

I don't agree with this back and forth at all. But do I understand it? Yes, what is going on is called action-reaction. You can not put all the blame on the Maoists.

Just like I don't trust or distrust the Maoists, I go by their public words and actions, the same applies to the regime. I go by their public words and actions. And I don't like what I see.

It's not too late even now. Reciprocate.

So that the military aspect of the civil war is brought to a halt, and so the focus can shift to the political part of it. That is the only way. There is no other way. It is a political solution now, or a year from now, or two years from now. It is not going to be a military solution. So why postpone it and put the country through the pain?

The regime still has the opportunity to engage the Maoists as long as the intent is to engage them in a respectful dialogue. Here is how that dialogue would go:

Maoists: We want a roundtable conference of the three forces, and an interim government of the same. That interim government takes the country through a Constituent Assembly.

Regime: Agreed. But before that can happen we want the country to have a single army. No RNA, PLA business.

Maoists: Agreed.

This is how.

If it goes this way, the monarchy could still be saved. I mean, the country should continue to be at civil war just because an absolute monarch is totally incapable of bringing peace, is that what? The very reason the country is at war is because an absolute monarch is in charge.

Your Majesty, you are the problem.

This is still not too late. The king could still save the monarchy. And it is still possible noone ends up at the Hague. And it is still possible to have a transition period that does not punish members of the current regime.

But time is running out fast.

The regime needs to react to the ceasefire positively and seize the initiative from the Maoists.

Prakash Karat has come out saying the days of the monarchy in Nepal are over. Karat is one of the smartest individuals active in Indian politics today. That is a Prime Minister in waiting. His words carry a lot of weight.

But I still think the king has a little bit of time left. He could still save the day.

Think in steps.

Step 1: Realize there is no military solution. And the longer you persist at the military solution option, more isolated you get from the international community as well the Nepali democrats.

Step 2: Respond positively and creatively to the ceasefire. Go for the respectful political dialogue option.

That is it. To change one's political stand from what it was six months ago because circumstances have changed is not the act of an individual who lacks resolve, that is the move of a person who looks at political reality on a daily basis and faces it as is. Human affairs are much more complicated than the weather, and noone has found a way yet to predict the weather. Peace is the act of a brave person. Only cowards fight mindlessly.

Otherwise the Supreme Court is closing in on the king. The democrats are. The global community is. The Maoists are. The people are. And rats will jump off the ship also later in the game.

In The News

• Govt doubts Maoists’ sincerity behind truce call NepalNews The government spokesperson’s statement came after a marathon emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of His Majesty King Gyanendra on Sunday to discuss the Maoist announcement.
• India concerned over recent political developments
• Over dozen oppn leaders arrested in protest rallies in Kathmandu Demonstrations still continue in areas
• Ceasefire a positive development: NHRC
• No word as yet regarding the royal visit NepalNews Nepali authorities are refraining from making comments on the royal visit. ...... an official at the Royal Palace Press Secretariat said he did not haveGovt doubts Maoists’ sincerity behind truce call any details about the proposed visit. He advised us to contact the Foreign Ministry instead....... A senior Foreign Ministry official told Nepalnews Monday afternoon that he had not heard anything about the royal visit as yet....... The government has already allocated budget for the royal trip......
  
• UN welcomes the ceasefire, Vice Chairman Bista says “Wait”
• Give peace a chance Kamala Sarup ..... There can’t be good war and bad peace.
• Apex court questions RCCC’s legality
  
• King Gyanendra will be last monarch in Nepal: Karat: NewKerala.com the days of Nepal monarchy were numbered ..... urged New Delhi to stop any support to King Gyanendra..... "We are sure that this king (Gyanendra) is going to end the spell of monarchy in Nepal because people there are convinced that the monarchy is against democracy" ...... "It is highly deplorable that King Gyanendra resorted to violence against a peaceful demonstration in Kathmandu leading to large-scale arrests" ..... G.P. Koirala and other senior political leaders were injured in police action .....
  
• Nepal protesters clash with police, 100 held Reuters AlertNet, UK the third day of protests..... police burst tear gas shells and used canes to break up the rally as activists emerged from a maze of alleys shouting "Long live democracy" and other slogans....... a naked suppression of the people's right to peacefully protest..... political parties that controlled more than 190 seats in the 205-member parliament dissolved in 2002
• Top leaders hurt, held in protest rally in Nepal Khaleej Times
  
• Nepal's political parties defy ban for second consecutive day ReliefWeb (press release) Nepali Rajdhani daily reported Monday that the Maoists announced their unilateral ceasefire Saturday at the behest of India...... Nepalese political parties however claim that the Maoist ceasefire came because of their joint efforts.
  
• Ex-PM Koirala, other leaders held in Nepal Economic Times “Koirala fainted while being dragged away by police” ..... Nepal’s feisty independent media, facing restrictions since Gyanendra took power, prominently displayed the news of the truce and asked the government to reciprocate. “The royal government must suspend military operations and give a positive signal that it is ready for a political solution,” the widely read Kantipur daily said in an editorial. .... But state-run radio and TV ignored the truce announcement. ..... “This (the truce) is basically a challenge to the king who has been consistently saying that he would not talk to the Maoists”
  
• Gyanendra does not represent us: Nepal parties to tell Annan Indian Express, India Gyanendra faces the prospect of receiving a markedly less-than-eager welcome from the international community on his arrival in New York ..... Seven pro-democracy parties at a meeting in Nepal on Sunday have decided to write to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, saying the King is an ‘‘autocrat and does not represent Nepal, its people and the Government legitimately’’....... The keenness of Nepal’s political parties to see Gyanendra being given a hard time at the UN comes almost as an endorsement of the appeal by the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists CPN(M) for a joint struggle to establish a ‘‘democratic republic’’....... A decision was also taken to organise a massive protest rally on September 9—the day Gyanendra is scheduled to leave ...... Kofi Annan is understood to have his own reservations about the King....... all that Gyanendra changed was his council of ministers, which he expanded, bringing aboard an ex-convict and a loan defaulter—actions the UN viewed as acts of contempt....... Meanwhile, the Maoists’ unilateral ceasefire—engineered critically to build world opinion against the King—failed to elicit a response from the government.
• Nepalese parties write to UN against King United Press International
• King Gyanendra will be last monarch in Nepal: Karat:- Webindia123, India
• King Gyanendra will be last monarch in Nepal: Karat: NewKerala.com, India
• Nepal’s political leadership hasn’t gained confidence of ... United We Blog, Nepal I saw a boy falling on the road because a police kicked on his testosterones. Another one got his hands cut....... Devendra Raj Kandel, a former state minister at home ministry struggled to avoid arrest. In the photo above, a policeman is trying to take the flag off from his former boss. In the photo below, the former minister is seen scolding police because they bit him on his back.
• UN Hails Maoists’ Truce Call Himalayan Times, Nepal
• Nepal arrests 200 anti-monarchy protesters ISN, Switzerland
• Defy The Orders, Enter The Prohibited Area UWB While describing yesterday’s somewhat violent mass protest, a reporter told me, “That reminded me of the 1990’s mass movement.” ...... defied the government issued prohibitory order and entered the area ‘restricted’ for rallies and demonstrations. Police arbitrarily fired nearly one hundred shells of tear gas and indiscriminately lathi-charged over protesters. They arrested 80 demonstrators including many central level leaders of parties. The police manhandled Girija Prasad Koirala, 83-year-old president of Nepali Congress, largest political party, and he fainted briefly....... Their cadres and followers are in merry mood because of the parties’ new and firm stand against autocracy....... a program with new aim: defy the govt. order by entering the restricted area .......
  
• Defying Ban Is Diminishing UWB One policeman, after he lathicharged to one protester, was heard saying that his first assignment to control the mob was wonderful. As the protest in Bhotahity was not attracting crowds, we headed for New Road where Teargas was fired. But, there must be something wrong with the teargas, for our eyes were not hurt......... New Road looked very much like a battlefield and it reminded me of the earliest post-Democracy protests I actively participated. Then, I was a Bachelor Level student and a regular participant on such rallies. I participated in Dasdhunga Andolan, Tanakpur Andolan et al. But, today I was a mere spectator, watching helplessly the police brutally lathicharge the wayfarers........
  
• Police Repression Against Political Leaders And Activists INSN ... protests and demonstration in Bhotahiti, New Road and Basantapur, inner core city of Kathmandu ...... Some of them were rescued and taken to the nearby hospitals by human rights observers of COCAP. ....... Suman Malla, chief reporter from Pahad Weekly and Shyatram Parajuli, journalist, Saptahik Awaj, camera man from Nepal 1 TV channel were deliberately injured by police. Protesters were shouting anti monarch slogans and demanding democratic republic in Nepal........
  
• The King Talked About In A Maoist Meeting Drishti The Maoist Politburo met on its own territory in western Nepal ..... The decisions of the meeting will not be made public before the participants have not returned to their respective work areas .... They talked of the king's recent travels .... Local level meetings will follow.
  

Protests