M A I N   N E W S

5 Maoists, soldier killed in Nepal

Kathmandu, April 24
Defying the curfew imposed for the sixth consecutive day by the Royal Government, tens of thousands held rallies in the Nepalese Capital today as security forces clashed with protesters injuring over 30.

At least five Maoists and a soldier were killed when the rebels, who are supporting the seven-party alliance’s stir, launched overnight raids on government establishments in the town of Chautara, 120 km northeast of here.

The seven-party alliance is preparing for a huge rally around the Ring Road of Kathmandu tomorrow in which a few hundred thousand protesters are expected to gather and top leaders address, party sources said.

Top alliance leaders, including two former Prime Ministers Girija Prasad Koirala of the Nepali Congress and Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress (Democratic), CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and four other top leaders will lead the rally, party sources said.

The US Embassy here asked families and non-essential staff to leave because of concerns over dwindling supplies, shortages in medical expertise, protests and sometimes “violent measures” used by the regime to break them up.

At least seven people were injured in the police firing in the Basundhara area of Kathmandu. The protest was smaller than the previous days.

As many as 24 persons were also injured as the Police baton charged and fired tear gas shells at the peaceful demonstrators at the Narayangopal Chowk.

Mukherjee, Patil meet officials on Nepal crisis
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 24
India kept a watchful eye on the continuing confrontation between King Gynanendra and the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) spearheading the campaign for restoration of multi-party democracy in Nepal even as back-channel efforts are on to defuse the situation.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today held a special meeting with Home Minister Shivraj Patil and the government’s top officials, including the Army Chief, Home Secretary V.K.Duggal and Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, to take stock of the unfolding developments in the Himalayan kingdom.

Describing it as a routine review meeting, Mr Mukherjee later told presspersons that it was for the people of Nepal to decide on the nature of government they would like to set up.

However, UPA sources disclosed that New Delhi was playing an active role in resolving this crisis. While Indian Ambassador in Nepal Shiv Mukherjee is in touch with the King and the SPA leadership, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury, who enjoys a good rapport with both the political and Maoist leadership in Nepal, has also been involved in trying to find a solution to the prolonged face-off between the King and the SPA.

Mr Yechury, who had met Mr Mukherjee last evening, had a second round of discussions with him this afternoon. The CPM leader has proposed a four-point formula which includes immediate restoration of the dissolved Parliament, the formation of an interim government which will decide on fresh elections and the formation of a new government. The UPA government has reiterated its support for the restorations of multi-party democracy but it is wary of the CPM’s proposal to involve the Maoists in the new government.

The UPA government has no quarrel with the King handing over power to the political parties, but it has strong reservations about the participation of Maoists in the proposed government as it fears it could have serious implications for India’s internal security.

New Delhi is in a bind on its Nepal policy. On the one hand, India is worried that Maoists might take over if the King abdicates and would, therefore, like the monarch to have some kind of a role in the proposed dispensation. On the other hand, it cannot ignore the overwhelming public sentiment against the King.

Even as the UPA government is struggling to shrug off the impression that it was supporting the monarch, it was further embarrassed when its Nepal policy came in for strong criticism from former External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh who accused New Delhi of letting down the people of Nepal.

“We have let the people of Nepal down, lost the goodwill of the seven parties, earned the annoyance of the Maoists and received no kudos from King Gynanendra,” he said in a statement issued here today. This is the first time Mr. Singh has commented on the government policies after he was forced to resign from the Union Cabinet.

The purpose of his visit was to restore peace, amity and mutual cooperation between the political parties and the King, he had said.

US Embassy closes visa services
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 24
In the wake of prevailing law and order situation in Nepal, the US Embassy has closed down its visa operations in Kathmandu and has asked Nepalese nationals to approach its mission here.

“The US Embassy in Kathmandu remains closed for visa services. Until such time the US Embassy in Kathmandu is able to resume visa services, the US Embassy in New Delhi will process visa applications for citizens and residents of Nepal,” an official statement said here today. However, the visa aspirants must have an appointment letter from the US Embassy in New Delhi.

Though a minimum period of four months has been fixed by the Embassy owing to large number of non-immigrant and immigrant applications, visa applications under emergency medical care, to attend funeral of an immediate family member, an urgent business requirement, students or exchange visitors whose course would be starting would be processed within a stipulated time of three weeks.

Applicants who have appointments currently scheduled or cancelled due to the closure of the consular section at the US Embassy in Kathmandu are advised to email its mission in New Delhi for an appointment, the release added.