Nepal Solidarity Bulletin – 7
12 April 2006
Demonstrations continue on day 7 and one killed
One day after the brutal attack in Gangabu - Kathmandu, demonstrations were carried out against the royal regime in Nepal today where massive number of people participated in the demonstrations in all over the country. In Kathmandu number of demonstrations from different points headed to Sahid Park (the center city) to mark the Martyrs Day called by the Seven Party Alliance. Breaking the barricades and obstacles by the security forces in many places, a huge demonstration came from Gangabu at the center city to mark the martyrs' day called by the Seven Party Alliance. Similarly, demonstrations were also organized at Chabahil, Kirtipurd (two main hot spots), Patan, Bagbazar, Baneshwor, Naradevi, Kalanki etc. Likewise, different professional organizations including university teachers, journalists, lawyers, cine artists and people from civil society also organized demonstrations and called for the restoration of democracy in the country. Police used tear gas and lathies in different places to disperse the demonstrators in many places. Dozens of people were arrested from those demonstrations.
Protest rallies were also held in various cities and district head quarters. In Nawalparasi, police opened fire again today and killed a protest marcher – Bishnu Pandey - and Narayan Neupane seriously injured. Demonstrations were also held in Dharan, Butwal, Jhapa, Morang, Janakpur, Hetauda, Chitwan, Pokhara, Kailali, Mahendranagar, Doti, Dailekh, Dang, Palpa, Ilam, Dhankuta, Terhathum, Panchthar, Bajhang, Kavre, Kalikot, Jajarkot, Pyuthan, Dolkha, Saptari, Mahottari, Lahan, Bara and many other districts. It is reported that thousands of people participated in those demonstrations and defied royal security restrictions.
Firing in Nawalparasi killed one
While peaceful demonstrators were marching in Nawalparasi this afternoon, the police opened fire to the peaceful demonstrators and killed Bishnu Pandey and injured Narayan Neupane. Over 15 thousands people took part in the protetst march. Similarly in Kawasoti also 12 thousand people organinsed demonstration.
Firing in Jhapa and 26 injured
In Jhapa, Kakadvitta, Damak, Birtamod and Chandragadhi demonstrations were held and thousands of people took part. Here again, security forces used bullets and injured 26 activists among them ANNFSU leader Asharu Rajbansi's condition reported is serious.
Kathmandu
Ø Gongabu, more than 15,000 demonstrators took part in the protest rally appealing the mass to march ahead towards the Martyr's Podium (Shahid Mancha) where UML leaders Prakash Jwala, Bijaya paudel, Phul Prasad Bhatta and Rajendra Lohani were arrested.
Ø Kirtipur, Burning effigy of the autocratic king, rally of more than 7000 protest demonstrators' marched the Kirtipur Municipality.
Ø Bhrikutimandap, 31 journalists have been arrested while they organized a rally and picketing.
Ø Kalanki, road obstructions on the way to Balkhu-Kalanki by burning tires, mass demonstration and rallies with thundering slogans.
Ø Koteswar, after a rally organized by intellectuals, the mass has proceeded to Martyr's Podium at 12:00 o'clock for homage. After the homage, the demonstration was headed toward Shahid Manch where CPN (UML) two central committee members Pradip Gyawali and Suresh Karki were arrested.
Ø Ason, NC leader Tirtharam Dangol and CPN (UML) leader Gangalal Tuladhar were arrested while they were leading a demonstrations towards Shahid Manch.
Ø Ratnapark, Advocate Hari Upreti and Bhumi Tripathi were arrested and plain clothes police attacked student leader Shailendra Adhikari with knife at Mahabaudha.
Ø
Lalitpur
Ø A protest rally was organized at 8:15 in the morning from Sundhara summoning the people to march at Martyr's Podium for homage at 1:00 o'clock. A demonstration headed to the Shahid Manch was blocked by the police at Kupondol and arrested Bijendra Shrestha, Rohit Dahal.
Pokhara
Ø Curfew order has been promulgated from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm in Pkhara and Lekhnath Municipality . But the rallies are taking place in several places defying the curfew order.
Biratnagar,
Ø Parul Chhetri, a CCM of ANNSFU and Prakash Adhikari have been brought under Public Security Act and colossal rallies of the workers and professors have been organized.
Bhojpur,
Ø Sherdhan Rai, the former MP of the district sustaining severe injuries in the baton charge and being in a state of emergency treatment has been brought in B.P. Memorial Hospital at Dharan today. More than half dozen of SPA activists including NC leader Nandamani Rai been arrested and over 30 have sustained injuries.
Chitwan,
Ø local administration called on the SPA representatives to a dialogue through the Rights activists but it was out rightly rejected.
Butwal,
Ø Vast protest demonstration with rallies under the banner of PAPAD took place. A bulk of more than 10000 people was addressed by the doctors, engineers, lawyers, professors, teachers, journalists, and the seniors of the horoscope association.
Palpa,
Ø An immense protest demonstration followed by rallies of more than a dozen thousands people was organized.
Birgunj,
Ø An immense and imperative rally of the industrialists and entrepreneurs took place.
Sunsari,
Ø There was an imperative protest demonstration of the professors at Itahari and another at Dharan organized by the youth and students.
Mahendranagar,
Some 20,000 demonstrators poured into the streets defying all the restrictions imposed by the security forces in a far western district Kanchanpur today. Police used lathies and teargas to block the demonstrators and injured one and arrested three demonstrators.
Dailekh
Royal Nepal Army raided CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress district offices today and arrested altogether 20 persons including CPN (UML) district level leaders; Tej Bahadur, Amar Bahadur, Raj Kumar Budha and Rishiram. Likewise they also arrested NC and NC (D) district chairmen Ganesh Bahadur Khadka and Ram Prasad Sharma respectively. The security forces also took away the books, official documents and photos from the offices. It is reported that the arrested party leaders were tortured very badly.
Farmer stopped selling vegetables to RNA,
In Bhandara, Chitawan, farmer stopped selling vegetable to the RNA barrack in Bhandara when the RNA personnel confiscated farmers bicycles and burned it because of their participation in the pro-democratic movements. After two days of their stoppage of selling vegetable, the local commander of RNA apologized with local farmers and they resumed their sell to the barrack.
Apart from seven party alliance, local industrialists, civil servants, bank employees, employees of the public corporations have also organized demonstrations in Sindhupalchowk, Kavre, Dhading, Tanahu, Gorkha, Lamjung, Makawanpur, Sindhuli and many other districts.
