The confusing deal between CK Raut and the government has again been featured in Tuesday’s newspapers along with news of the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli saying that there is no question of holding a referendum on matters of national integrity.
Here is a summary of important, ignored and interesting stories from the front pages of national broadsheets:
Important
Guessing game continues
The Kathmandu Post, Kantipur and Nagarik report that Friday’s deal between the government and CK Raut, coordinator of the Alliance for Independent Madhes, has left many guessing about what the Madhesi activist–and even Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli–has up his sleeves.
There are speculations that Raut might join the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP), but a leader close to Raut told The Kathmandu Post says that he would work to ‘strengthen’ his base with a view to forming a new party. But political analysts doubt Raut will be able to make much of a difference in Madheshi politics–or national politics for that matter–even if he forms a new party.
Similarly, The Himalayan Times and Republica report that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that there is no question of holding a referendum on matters of national integrity. Speaking at an event organised to mark National Security Council’s anniversary, the PM quashed rumours that the government was aligning with former Free-Madhes activist CK Raut’s demand on holding a referendum. On Sunday, Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa too had clarified on behalf of the government that the government will not hold a referendum on the issue.
Home Minister’s indecisiveness puts Biplav’s arrest on hold
Republica reports Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa’s ‘indecision’ in the Biplav case is preventing police from arresting senior leaders of the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) despite evidence suggesting the role of CPN headquarters in the latest spate of violence targeted at private businesses.
Police have launched a nationwide crackdown on CPN leaders in the wake of the bomb blasts. But this has proved too little too late. Police spokesperson Uttam Subedi said lack of clear evidence was preventing them from arresting the top CPN leaders. He said they have been arresting those allegedly involved in the blasts.
However, sources said the testimony of those already arrested and other evidence shows a clear link to party headquarters in the recent violence. But lack of clear instructions from higher-ups was stopping them from arresting the party honchos. The government has not been able to decide how to deal with the CPN. While some have stood for a political solution, others stressed the urgency of containing it through the use of force.
New bill on national priority projects
Naya Patrika reports that the government is planning to pass a new bill to ensure the nation’s priority projects complete on time. A committee formed under the watch of the Prime Minister will prepare a bill which will ensure that priority projects finish fast. Once the bill is passed, the committee will have the right to choose projects, choose the organisation which will carry on the project, provide suggestions, monitor and even punish the organisation if it fails to complete the project on time.
Ignored
Dahal to visit the USA for wife’s treatment
The Kathmandu Post reports that Pushpa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to visit the United States of America on March 18 for the treatment of his ailing wife, Sita Dahal. The visit comes after Dahal issued a statement criticising the United States and its allies for interfering in the South American country, leading to several weeks of unease between Singha Durbar and the US Embassy in Nepal.
Dahal is expected to spend at least two weeks in the United States and it is unclear whether he will have any political engagements while in the country.
Teacher makes pupils lick shoes
Naya Patrika reports that Sujan Sunwar, a teacher involved with Early Childhood Development Education in Khijidemba Rurual Municipality, Okhaldhunga has forced two of his students Rakesh Nepali and Akash Darji to lick fellow student John Darji’s shoes. However, Sunwar denies these claims. Sunwar says that he asked the two to touch John’s feet so that they wouldn’t argue over a biscuit and adds that this issue has been blown out of proportion.
NGOs and INGOs to come under Home Ministry ambit
Rajdhani reports that all NGOs and INGOs will now be under the Home Ministry. The Ministry is doing so to monitor both NGOs and INGOs and to keep a watchful eye on the Social Welfare Council. Until now, NGOs, INGOs and NWC were under the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens. The Home Ministry has proposed a bill which will help it monitor non-government organisations with the help of the District Administration Office.
Interesting
SP Bista, DSP GC skip court summons
Republica reports that two senior police officials (SP Dilli Raj Bist and DSP Angur GC) accused of tampering with evidence in the Nirmala Pant Murder Case have snubbed a court summon on Monday. Kanchanpur district court had summoned them to testify. A complaint was filed against Bista and GC by Durga Devi Panta, Nirmala’s mother. A single bench of judge Rajendra Kumar Acharya had taken the decision to take the case forward.
39 per cent growth in tourist
Karobar reports that the number of tourists coming to Nepal has seen an increase of 39 per cent in February compared to last year. A total of 97,694 foreign visitors came to Nepal by air in February. According to Nepal Tourism Board, 16,205 Chinese travellers entered Nepal in February, up 5.3 per cent from last year.
Travel trade entrepreneurs attributed the growth in visitor numbers from the northern neighbour to the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival on February 5. During the same period, arrivals from India jumped 92.5 percent to 14,571 individuals. The government aimes bring 2 million foreign visitors to Nepal next year.
