Kathmandu, June 21 :

Rights activists and civil society members today voiced their serious concern over the need for effective management of landmines and explosives planted all over the country during the decade-long insurgency.

Participants, at an interaction programme on “Landmine and Explosive Ordnance Management” that was jointly organised by the Human Development and Peace Campaign and the Human Rights without Frontiers, said that the issue has been completely overlooked since the announcement of the ceasefire. “Though the guns have fallen silent for the time being landmines and explosives still go off from time to time in the villages, killing and maiming innocent folk,” said Kapil Kafle, executive director, Institute of Human Rights Communication (IHRICON) at the programme.

Nepal Medical Association general secretary Dr Kiran Shrestha suggested that the landmines planted should be cleared by those very people who planted them during the conflict period. Shrestha, who is also a member of the Ceasefire and Code of Conduct National Monitoring Committee, said the issue ought to addressed at the earliest. “It is the duty of the concerned parties to help locate the underground landmines or else the country will suffer further loss of lives and property,” he said.

The absence of the conflicting parties was felt in the programme. Rajan Koirala, Superintendent of Police, Armed Police Forces, frequently referred to their absence. He emphasised the need for a joint efforts. Nirmal Malla, inspector in the Human Rights Cell, said that Nepal Police is all set to begin public awareness programmes through its public issue liaison and community policy programmes soon.

Pradeep Pokharel, president of the Human Development and Peace Campaign said he requested Maoist leader Dinanath Sharma to send at least one representative. “Sharma assured me that there would be a representative of the Maoists. But no one has showed up either from the Maoist or the Nepal army side.”

According to a UN report, the cost of clearing one mine is estimated to be about $300 to $3,000. It costs only $3 to lay a mine. Presenting a concept paper during the programme, Gyan Deep Dahal of the Human Development and Peace Campaign highlighted the need to ratify the convention on International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Worldwide, 151 countries are signatory to the convention.

“It could help muster international support to handle the landmine problem,” he said.