THT 10 years ago: Human rights body bats for right to land

Kathmandu, November 28, 2008

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today recommended that the government come up with required policies and regulations to form a Land Reform and Implementation Commission to ensure citizens’ right to land and to put the same into practice. A press statement issued by NHRC here today said that recommendations had been made on the basis of a regular monitoring, study of the commission related to land rights and the victims’ demands. “The demands put forth by National Forum for Land Rights are important from the perspective of human rights and social justice and can be fulfilled through a strong political will combined with an amendment in existing laws,” the statement read. The NHRC has also urged the government to solve the problems of the landless who have been staging a sit-in at the KhulaManch since November 17. The statement said, “The NHRC has found that the landless, squatters, freed kamaiyas and haliyas are being legally and socially discriminated,” adding, “The commission is regularly monitoring the protest programmes and the demands forwarded by the people not benefiting from development activities.” As enshrined in the article 33 of the Interim Constitution of Nepal 2007, the state is set to put an end to the feudal landlordship and enforce a programme of scientific land reform. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure economic and social security of the people such as squatters, kamaiyas, haliyas, haruwa/charuwa and those who fall back socially and economically, said the statement.

Police still foxed about hows, whys of twin murders

Kathmandu, November 28, 2008

The motive behind the murder of Ashis hManadhar and Ritesh Rauniyar remains under wraps and police say they are clueless as to the circumstances that led to their deaths. The boys went missing on November 15 and were found tortured to death on November 26. “Motive is the key to crack a case. Once we pinpoint the motive, it will be easy to nab the culprits,” said DSP Umesh Ranjit. SP Birendra Babu Shrestha, who is heading the probe panel, said he was not in a position to comment on the motive as investigation was still going on. Meanwhile, the family members of both boys are in shock and disbelief. “I had no enmity with anybody,” said Ashish’s father Shree Prasad Manadhar. “It is hard to believe that my son is gone. At times, even now I feel my son is alive.” Ritesh’s family refrained from speaking, but a close relative said the boy was inquisitive and Internet savvy. He added that Ritesh was intelligent enough to teach himself how to repair mobile phone sets. He said Ritesh, accompanied by Ashish, had gone to Kalanki to collect money from an unidentified person.