THT 10 YEARS AGO: Kapilvastu violence a setback for credible polls: Bennett

Kathmandu, September 21, 2007

Representative of the United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Nepal, Richard Bennett, today said that violence in Kapilvastu district has raised doubts over the possibility of holding free and fair constituent assembly polls.

In a press conference, Bennett said, “Violence in the Tarai and the lack of appropriate response from security forces in many cases, along with the readiness of many armed groups to use violence and intimidation has given rise to the doubts,” he added.

Bennett, who visited the violence-torn district recently, said, “It is important that the government does undertake proper verification and a proper investigation,” he added. Bennett said he had written a letter to the Home Minister in this regard.

Stressing the need to maintain harmony at the community level, he said, “It is key not only that central government officials exercise a high degree of responsibility, but also that there is local community leadership on this. I think we noticed, for example, that where local community leaders in Butwal had come together and emphasised the need to be calm, importance of unity, harmony and tolerance, the situation did start to cool down.”

Outlining the challenges and priorities of the OHCHR-Nepal, Bennett said lack of accountability and inadequate law enforcement response and ineffective or unfair justice system are the greatest human rights challenges in Nepal.

PM may not contest CA polls, says Dr Koirala

Biratnagar, September 21, 2007

Prime Minister GP Koirala is unlikely to contest the CA elections, according to NC central member Dr Shekhar Koirala.

Dr Koirala said, “As the party should be led by youths, PM Koirala should not file his nomination papers.” Though the Morang and Sunsari chapters of NC have urged PM Koirala to be their candidates, there are chances that he will not file his candidacy, Dr Koirala said.

Speaking at a poll related program in constituency no-7 of Morang, NC Morang president Amrit Aryal said that PM Koirala should file his candidacy for the prestige of the parliament. Speaking at the program, Dr Koirala said that the Maoists will return to the government within a few days. Stating that the legitimacy of the government will be ended if the polls were not be held on time, he said, “The Maoists should be included in the polls at any rate.”

He said that the situation will be very difficult if the polls were not held on time. “Maoists decided to quit the government in a hurry. So, this issue should be discussed widely,” he said. He added , “If there is no honesty, the existence of the Maoists will be ended.

They are bargaining. CA poll not only the Maoists’ slogan but it is also the slogan of entire Nepalis.”