All major newspapers published from Kathmandu Valley on Sunday, Nepali and English alike, have given the top priority to recent developments about the fast-unto-death being staged by medical education reform activist, Dr Govinda KC. Hundreds of members of the civil society and public on Saturday staged a demonstration in his support whereas the government’s repeated call for the talks have not materialised yet. Therefore the gap between the government and the protesting side has not been narrowed yet, making the issue the most discussed one in the Kathmandu press.
There are few other stories from sociocultural, political and economic sectors that have been featured on the front pages of major newspapers today.
Important
Dr KC’s supporters announce more protest programmes
Lead stories of most newspapers have informed with photographs that some well known faces of Nepali civil society including former chief justice Sushila Karki, Krishna Pahadi, Khagendra Sangraula, Manisha Koirala and Kedar Bhakta Mathema joined the protest yesterday. Likewise, Naya Shakti Party’s Baburam Bhattarai, Bibeksheel Sajha Party’s Rabindra Mishra and Nepali Congress’ Gagan Thapa also backed the protest.
Meanwhile, Nepal Samacharpatra and The Himalayan Times have reported that some supporters of the activist have announced that they will also stage a hunger strike in solidarity of Dr KC. Quoting one of the front supporters, advocate Om Prakash Aryal, THT lead story says more than 200 supporters will stage the strike today at Basantapur. If the demands are not met, the strike will continue indefinitely from Monday, warns Aryal.
Kantipur says the strike for Sunday has been scheduled from 10 am to 5 pm.
On the other hand, the government has called Dr KC and his supporters to stop the protest and resolve the issue through ‘unconditional’ talks, according to The Kathmandu Post.
Four killed in Bajhang landslide
Annapurna Post, Rajdhani and Nepal Samacharpatra report that four persons of a single family died in a landslide in Bayanagaun, Khaptad Chhanna Rural Municipality-6 of Bajhang district on Saturday.
Two persons have sustained serious injuries as the landslide hit people resting under the tree shed and walking past the tree, according to Rajdhani. The injured have been sent to the district headquarters for further treatment after providing with the first aid at a local health post.
Meanwhile, the incident has left the villagers mourning and the village has worn a deserted look, adds Nepal Samacharpatra.
Kapilbastu paddy field inundated
Due to the Mahalisagar dam constructed by India on the border, around 700 hectares of paddy field have been inundated in Bhagawanpur village of Nawalparasi district, according to front pages stories of Rajdhani and Nagarik.
Farmers of Bhagawanpur, Bhaisahiya, Loharauni and Mudila village have been mostly affected, according to Rajdhani.
Meanwhile, Nagarik comments that this part of the district gets inundated almost every year, but no government authorities have taken concrete initiatives to find a longterm solution to the problem. Rajdhani, however, quotes Yasodhara Rural Municipality Chief Girijesh Kumar Pandey that his government is in conversation with provincial and federal governments to solve the issue.
Ignored
Govt positive about nationalising medical colleges
Naya Patrika reports that the government has said it can be ready to nationalise all medical colleges in the country so as to give an end to all fraudulent and deceiving activities they are involved in. As Dr Govinca KC has launched a strike against the commercialisation of medical education sector in the country, some people have demanded that all private colleges be nationalized. In this context, Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has said the government is positive about the demand, according to the report.
New law will punish errant law enforcers for enforced disappearance
The six-column anchor story of The Himalayan Times says the new Muluki Criminal Code Act 2017, which will come into force on August 17 this year, will make law enforcers face the criminal charge of enforced disappearance if they do not produce an arrested person before a competent authority within the stipulated time.
The report adds that this is the first time a law has been enacted defining the illegal detention as crime.
Interesting
Finally, Nepali vehicles get equal status on Indian roads
Naya Patrika and The Kathmandu Post report that India has agreed to let Nepali vehicles enter India and ply its roads freely as Indian vehicles get the same treatment on Nepali roads.
During a joint secretary level meeting held in New Delhi recently, the Indian side expressed readiness to provide hassle free entry to the Nepali vehicles on a reciprocal basis, according to the reports.
