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Restoring Freedom?
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Girija Prasad Koirala after being released from house arrest. |
Relaxing the emergency rules marginally, the authorities early in March freed ousted Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and a few days later Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala along with party members from house arrest. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court decided that it can hear cases of human rights that are not specifically suspended by the order of the emergency rule. However, street demonstrations being staged by political parties since the Democracy Day (February 18) are still banned.
Another instance of relaxing the controls, imposed after emergency was declared, is the permission granted to United Telecom to restart its wireless telephone service. However, as the permission comes with some restrictions (e.g. it is not allowed to distribute additional connections), the Indian Embassy issued a statement asking the government to allow the company to operate as per the terms and conditions of its original licence. The company is majority owned by India 's state enterprises.
Amidst this, the army brought out the news of rift in the Maoist organisation. Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai is deposed from his position in the organisation and he along with his wife, Hisila Yami (politburo member), is put under the control of the armed Maoists, said the news reports quoting the army spokesman. Many people found it difficult to believe the news at first, but gradually it is being accepted to be true. More recently, further reports were brought out, again quoting the army, that a number of other Maoist leaders were meted out similar punishment by the party.
Another important event of the month was the arrival of the Chinese Foreign Minister for an official visit of the country. However, contrary to the speculation by many, the two countries did not announce anything about the supply of arms to Nepal from China . Before the arrival of the Chinese Minister, delegates from both countries had signed an agreement to start a direct bus service between Kathmandu and Lhasa , the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region of China, from May. Another high-level foreign official delegation that visited Nepal in March was from Pakistan , led by Heena Rabbani Khar, the Pakistani Minister of State for Finance. During her visit, an agreement was made to go ahead with the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
In other developments in the political front, former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa launched his new political party - Rastriya Janashakti Party - and the Vice Chairman of the present Council of Ministers, Dr. Tulsi Giri, paid a courtesy call on him when, as is reported quoting close sources, he asked Thapa for help to make the opposition political leaders agree to co-operate with the King in the present circumstances. Before this, Dr. Giri had severely criticised the USA , UK , India and other international powers that are threatening to suspend aid to Nepal if the emergency rule is not lifted and political freedom is not restored.
The high level Royal Commission against corruption set up after February 1, under the emergency rule, has started investigating into the money distributed by the ousted Deuba government before the last Dasain festival. Meanwhile, judge of Pyuthan, Birendra Kumar Karna, was caught red handed while accepting bribe. This case was quickly referred to the Royal Palace for necessary action. Following the Nepal Bar Association's objection that it was tantamount to infringement of the independence of judiciary, the case has been now sent to the Judicial Council.
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