Nepal - Articles

King's Coup

As the Maoists insurgency was about to complete its ninth year in the month of February 2005, Nepal King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev dissolved the Government under Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and took over all the authorities on 1 February. Using article 115-1 of the Constitution, King has declared an indefinite State of Emergency in the country effective from 1 February and demanded three years period to bring the country back to normal and set the multiparty system into its track. Further, the King vowed to root out terrorism from the country's political scene. Immediately the next day (2 February), the King formed a 10-member Council of Ministers under his chairmanship and later appointed Kirtinidhi Bista and Tulsi Giri as vice chairmen of his government. For about a week, the whole communication systems of Nepal was disconnected from rest of the world; and press censorship on controversial issues (like Royal Coup, Maoists issues, Army's activities and political parties) are still continuing in the country. The authorities have been regularly scrutinizing the media reports, and strict measures will be enforced for any violation of code of emergency.

Rajdhani (2 February) advocates multiparty democracy as a successful medium for rule all over the world and said "unity between the king and the political parties has been the strength of the rule of the nation." Saying the King's move was not an unexpected one, it opined, "Deuba's rejoining the government after he proved himself an incapable prime minister was an open invitation for disastrous consequences. It was during his government that the Pajero culture and horse-trading of parliamentarians began." Quoting Girija Prasad Koirala's statement, it said Deuba was responsible for handing over democracy to the Palace. Further the article emphasized dreadful life of commoners under the Maoist insurgency and cautioned that "it will have negative impact if the establishment fails to carry out its responsibilities satisfactorily."

Gorkhapatra (3 February) has appreciated the King decision of taking power and said murders and violence every day across the country especially in the insurgency affected states have come to stop after the Royal take over on 1 February. Rajdhani (2 February) published some of the people's opinions: 1. "Right now we can't say for sure that he has done the right thing. It is good only if peace is restored." 2. "We can hope but its impossible to say that the king's sole effort will result in peace." 3. "It could not have gone on, somebody had to make this step… the move is filled up with danger." 4. "After all the corruption that the politicians were up to, it was inevitable. But I can't say whether or not it will bring positive changes." 5. "It was the best possible alternative. It has ended the debate between the political parties. Now the country has a chance for peace."

Maoist Extortion

Himal Khabarpatrika (29 January-11 February) said that the Maoists have terrorised not just businessmen and civil servants but also the poor for money and food grains who cannot even afford a square meal and this fear is reportedly strong in Nawalparasi, Rupandehi and Kapilbastu districts. Quoting some of the victims' stories, the report said many victims have joined in the groups waging an armed retaliation against the Maoists and it has been spreading into many other villages around these areas. Further the villagers become fearless about the Maoists and have started attacking them in their hideouts and handed them over to the administration. The Retaliation Committee chief, Muna Khan, said, "We have asked the Maoists and their supporters to surrender and join our team. Those who turned it down have fled" and added around 22 Maoists have surrendered so far and working with the villagers. The Retaliation Committee developed into highly effective in their areas and nobody can enter the villages without their prior permission, not even journalists and human rights workers.

Cry from Foreign Lands

Sandhyakalin (13 February) in a report described the plight of the Nepali youths working in foreign countries and said Nepalis are preferred in the Gulf countries because they never shirk work and will do anything assigned if capable. But they have also been the victims of accidents in Saudi Arabia. Some have lost their lives while others have been forced to return home maimed or handicapped. Citing some disastrous incidents, the report said, in many cases, the companies the people worked for haven't paid their medical insurance or helped them to pay off their debts.

Political Solutions

In Nepal Samacharpatra (20 February), Sundar Mani Dixit has proposed some solutions to achieve multiparty democracy as expressed by the King in his proclamation on 1 February. The proposed solutions are: 1. Release of political leaders, journalists, student leaders and human rights activists without prior conditions. 2. Restore the fundamental rights of the citizens, which will ensure that foreign aid and diplomatic support remains intact. 3. Establish an environment to allow politicians and the parties to practice pure and transparent politics. Further Dixit assured that this would not be possible without initiating peace talks with the Maoists and the nation can't move forward without efforts at creating peace to end the conflict.

In Samaya (18-24 February), Yubaraj Ghimire said, "When they (Maoists) started fighting corrupt politics, they offered hope even though they resorted to violence." He questioned that "where has this revolution got us? How safe do the people feel from the rebels? And how much of its political character does the movement still have left?" Further, he argued that the Maoists were the major force responsible for the recent royal take over and also accountable for weakening the political parties and the multiparty government. Ruling out UN mediation in the conflict, Ghimire indicated that though the international community doesn't agree with the King's 1st February declaration, it has not changed its stance on the insurgents. Ghimire warned that if Maoists would not renounce violence immediately, they would loose even the public support who had looked upon them as a possible political alternative. The political parties also have consistently said they can work with the Maoists if they give up violence and work for multiparty democracy. While concluding his article Ghimire said, "In these difficult times, if the Maoists stand firm in their statement and come forward for talks with political integrity, character and solidarity, they might be forgiven for the 11,000 lives they have taken. For a nation sinking into a vortex of violence and uncertainty, that would prove to be an immense relief."