Kathmandu, January 7, 2006

The Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), a party formed with Panchayat period politicians, is on the verge of spilt for second time in a year, with the party high command issuing a public notice today that those participating in the “unconstitutional” special convention slated for January 10 and 11 will be expelled from party membership. The RPP faction, which supports the king’s February 1 move and intends to contest the municipal elections has called the special convention. The faction includes the six members of the council of ministers, including the home minister Kamal Thapa. Party chairman Pashupati Shamsher Rana is against the convention, calling it unnecessary. Addressing a programme at Reporters’ Club, assistant general secretary of RPP Khem Raj Pandit said the party would take action against all who bring fissure with supports from the government. “The party has sent letters seeking clarification to all ministers. They will be expelled from party membership soon. We do not want ministers in our party. Let our party be small but committed,” he said. He also charged the dissident faction of misusing the national coffers and resources for forcing the people to participate in the convention. “All the nominated chiefs of district development committees, zonal administrators and regional administrators have been ordered to provide help for the convention. Even helicopters are being misused to transports activists from mid-western remote areas to the capital,” he charged.

Eight girls rescued from Indian circuses

Hetauda, January 7, 2006

Eight Nepali girls who were working for the Asiad and Empire Circuses of India for the past seven to ten years were rescued and brought to Nepal today. The girls are now kept at the rehabilitation centre of Circus Children Project of Nepal Child Welfare Organisation (NCWO) here. The rescued girls are Nisha Thoker, Mina Kumari Ghalan and Shanti

Maya Ghising of Padampokhar-4 of Makwanpur, Muna Gole and Sabita Malbule of Harnamadi-7, Sukumaya Rumba of Chakari, Sun Kumari Moktan of Manhari-3 and Maya Pande of Jante, Morang. Prabasi Nepali Mitra Manch (PNMM) in India had assisted in the rescue operation. The parents of the rescued girls had submitted an application in the NCWO, Hetauda, two and half years ago seeking its help to rescue them from circuses. The team comprising members of NCWO and the girls’ parents had gone to India some ten days ago to rescue the girls. Rescue team member from the NCWO, Kumar Giri said, “The circus owners were trying to stop the girls from leaving and records at the circus revealed that they were paid only Rs 20 per month.” Father of Muna Gole, Amrit Gole said his daughter had spent almost seven years in the circus and sent him only Rs 1,000.