Police clashing with locals protesting the proposed Guthi Bill has been featured in most national dailies along with news of over 84,000 applicants attending the Korean language test held across the country. Four Nepalis being trapped in Libya has also made it to the front page of a few newspapers.
Here is a summary of important, ignored and interesting stories from the front pages of national broadsheets:
Important
Police injure dozen opposing Guthi Bill
Nagarik, Republica and The Himalayan Times report that riot police on Sunday dispersed people gathered in Maitighar Mandala to protest the Guthi Bill tabled at the National Assembly using batons and water cannon, injuring around a dozen demonstrators.
The Newar community, has been demanding revision or withdrawal of the bill that stipulates provisions such as removing trustees from public guthis (trust), also called raj guthis, and transfer of guthi land to private ownership and converting private guthis into public guthis.
Police said they were compelled to use force after demonstrators went violent and obstructed traffic. Police also took four persons into custody and released them in the evening. Heritage activist believe that if the bill is endorsed as proposed, it will serve the interests of none other than the land mafia.
Four Nepalis trapped in Libya
Republica reports that four Nepali youths abducted about a week ago by Jawiya Osama, an armed rebel group said to be operating in troubled Libya, are struggling for their lives as the group has been torturing them demanding a huge ransom for their release, according to relatives. The youths were reportedly on their way to Italy along with 12 Bangladeshis and 22 Nigerians. The abductors freed the 22 Nigerians saying that the latter cannot afford to pay ransoms.
The rebel group is demanding thousands of dollars in ransom for their release, according to Sujan Adhikari, a brother of captive Purna Prakash Adhikari. The abducted Nepalis have been identified as Purna Prakash Adhikari, Raj Kumar Gurung, Dinesh Khatri and Netra Bhattarai, according to the details provided by the families. Adhikari, Gurung and Basnet are residents of Lamjung district while Bhattarai is said to be from Chitwan.
Govt’s plan can ruin biodiversity warn conservationists
The Kathmandu Post reports that the government’s plan to introduce tourism activities inside protected parks of the country for revenue generation has alarmed conservationists who say such interventions could cause massive degradation of biodiversity.
The government has drafted a new working procedure with a view to promoting and regulating tourism inside all the protected areas of the country. The new working procedure will pave the way for entrepreneurs to enter the conservation areas where they will provide jungle safari, ultra-running, cycling, rock climbing, hiking, boating, canopy walk and paragliding, among other adventure sports and activities to attract tourists.
Ignored
Cabinet goes against Foreign Ministry while appointing ambassadors
The Kathmandu Post reports that a Cabinet meeting on Friday recommended Mahesh Dahal, Narad Bhardwaj Wagle, Banshi Dhar Mishra and Dawa Futi Sherpa as ambassadors to Australia, Qatar, Bangladesh, and Spain, respectively. These recommendations contravene the criteria for ambassadorial appointments, announced by Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali last year.
Article 5 of the criteria, states: “While keeping the view of the principle of inclusiveness, the welfare of the country, representing the state; an experienced, having an excellent academic record with diplomatic capability, the ambassadorial appointment will be made.”
Article 6 further states that “ambassadors must be capable and have the experience of Nepal’s foreign policy, international relations, dynamics of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy”.
However, none of the four candidates has any diplomatic experience or credentials. They only satisfy the barest minimum standards–they are above 35 years of age, hold a Bachelor’s degree, don’t have criminal records, have not been convicted of corruption, and don’t appear to have any conflicts of interest.
Weather radar in Surkhet bust after two months
Naya Patrika reports that the weather radar installed in Surkhet has gone bust in two months. The radar was installed thanks to help from World Bank however it hasn’t come under regular operation due to technical errors. The Department of Metrology and Hydrology says that the radar isn’t in use due to lack of trained staff. They also said that regular power shortage was another reason that the radar wasn’t working.
Nepal buying satellite from controversial group
- Kantipur reports that Nepal has signed a deal with controversial French company Thales Group to buy a satellite. Thales group was listed on World Bank’s blacklist back in 2004. PM KP Sharma Oli will meet representatives from Thales Group and finalise things during his visit to France later this week.
Interesting
Oli to meet Prince Harry
Annapurna Post reports that PM KP Sharma Oli will be meeting Prince Harry during his trip to the UK. Nepal Embassy in London has confirmed that the two will meet at the Kensington Palace on Tuesday. Oli will reach London from Geneva on Monday.
Govt land handed over to NGO
Annapurna Post reports that Budanilkantha Municipality has handed over a land belonging to the government to an NGO without competition. The land in Chapali has been given to Pariwartan Sanchar Samuha. The working committee meeting of the municipality decided to lease the land of PSS for 30 years. However, the municipality before making the decision didn’t consult with the cabinet.
84,000 applicants giving Korean language test spent nearly Rs 9 billion learning the language
Naya Patrika reports that over 84,000 people gave the Korean language test out of which only 10,000 will get a chance to go to Korea. It is estimated that youths spent nearly Rs 9 billion to learn Korean language.
In the past four years, youths have spent over Rs 26.9 billion to reach Korea and have sent back around Rs 26.88 billion as remittance. The last year alone youths sent in excess of Rs 16 billion.
