Protests Rage After Killing of Nepal Activist

by reposted

Fri, Feb 10, 2006 6:27AM

Leaders declare him the first martyr of the democratic movement

There were nationwide protests Thursday against the killing of Umesh Chandra Thapa, a local leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-CPN (UML). He was shot dead Feb. 8 by the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) in the eastern city of Dang, while protesting against municipal elections.

One day before the election, Interior Minister Kamal Thapa warned that security forces had been given orders to shoot anyone who tried to disrupt the poll.

There was a general strike called in Dang where thousands took to the streets in protest. Similarly, protests were reported in Pokhara, Nepalganj, Janakpur, Mahendranagar, Jhapa and Dhankuta.

The capital Kathmandu was also tense from the early morning. Students affiliated with the agitating seven political parties clashed with police in front of colleges.

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http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?article_class=3&no=273500&rel_no=1

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§ Royal loo costs more than human life in Nepal

by kerala (reposted)

Fri, Feb 10, 2006 6:29AM

By Sudeshna Sarkar, Kathmandu: In Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world, human life comes cheap, costing far less than a makeshift bathroom for the king.

Last month, King Gyanendra, who heads the government since his bloodless coup last year, went on a three-week long unofficial tour of the eastern districts, which cost the cash-strapped government dear.

Besides having to pay for helicopter fuel, increased security for the royal couple and putting up welcome arches, the royalist government also had to foot an additional bill - for a lavish bathroom.

"The kings of other countries lead ordinary lives. They will wear a poor man's clothes and eat ordinary food," the Jana Astha weekly wrote.

"But during his trip to eastern Nepal our king stayed at the regional headquarters of the Armed Police Force where the walls of the VIP guesthouse were torn down to build a toilet," the popular Nepali weekly said.

According to the weekly, the construction cost Nepali Rs.200,000 ($2,800).

The news came even as the government paid compensation to a taxi driver who was shot dead in Kathmandu valley Monday for plying his cab during a shutdown called by the Maoist guerrillas ahead of the Feb 8 local polls.

The government had confiscated the blue books, licences and vehicles of about 500 bus drivers, truckers and cabbies, forcing them to run during the shutdown.

On Tuesday, the government paid Nepali Rs.150,000 ($2,100) to the family of slain cabbie, less than the cost of the royal loo.

The government also paid around Nepali Rs.150,000 to the family of a politician killed by the Maoists for taking part in the polls.

The irony is, after having built such a costly loo, the government does not know what to do with it. After the royal couple left, it has been locked up and no one has been allowed to use it.

Since last month, when the government began a massive crackdown on opposition parties and arrested hundreds of activists, a large group of women were detained in the same place.

However, Jana Astha reported the detainees were not allowed to use the hallowed toilet but instead asked to make do with the police constables' toilet that does not even have electricity, the weekly said.

http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=7405

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