UK minister lauds peace process in Nepal

Visit UK Minister for International Development Mike Foster called on Minister for Health and Population Giri Raj Mani Pokhrel at the latter’s office Tuesday. During the meeting the two discussed on the implementation and challenges of the Safe Motherhood Programme, millennium development goals (MDGs) and process on purchasing the goods for the programme, informed minister Pokhrel after the meeting. British Department for International Development (DFID) has announced a financial assistance of Rs. 340 million for the programme. Meanwhile, issuing a statement upon his arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu on Tuesday , Minister Foster lauded the progress of the ongoing peace process. "It’s good to see that progress has been made in the peace process- the constituent assembly members have wrapped up their consultation with the people and the army integration special committee is in place to take forward issues around the future of the armies," the statement said. "But there is still a long way to go before the peace process concludes, the new constitution written and agreed, and stability restored across Nepal. I encourage all parties concerned to continue to work together to create a new constitution, and deliver peace and development to the people," the statement further read. "The UK is committed to working with the government and I am looking forward to discussing how we can work together to progress on peace, delivery of development to the people of Nepal, and the Nepal development Strategy in the run up to Nepal Development Forum meeting. In May, I will also be launching DFID’s new Nepal Country Plan for the next three years, from April 2009 to March 2012, which is designed to support Nepal’s efforts to achieve peace and development." Minister Foster who arrived here today went to Nepalgunj, mid-western city of the country, after the meeting. Our correspondent in Nepalgunj, Banke, reported that Minister Foster visited South Asian College of Modern Technology at Manikapur VDC of the district and observed the plumbing training centre run by the College under the British assistance. He also observed the office building of Mid-west regional police training centre constructed with the financial support of DFID. Responding to journalists about his visit, Minister Foster said he felt that the Nepalese had a strong desire for peace and development and that development process in Nepal was moving ahead gradually. "Political parties in Nepal should work together to write the new constitution within the stipulated date." Foster is scheduled to visit Bheri Zonal Hospital and seventh division cantonment of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) situated in Kailali district Wednesday before he goes to Accham district where he will see how the UK’s work with the World Food Programme is giving victims of drought and conflict a vital lifeline of support. Minister Foster who is on a three-day visit will hold discussions with top leaders and members of the cabinet, including Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, besides meeting members of the CA, donor community and the private sector.

एमालेले रुपन्देही बन्द सोमबार पनि कायमै राख्ने

स्थानीय प्रशासनले  बुटबल क्षेत्रमा बिहिबारदेखि लगाउँदै आएको कर्फ्यु सोमबार बिहान ५ बजे देखि अवस्था हेरिकन हाललाई हटाएको जानकारी स्थानीय प्रशासनले दिएको छ ।

एमालेका जिल्ला सदस्य एबं युथफोर्स रुपन्देहीका सदस्य प्रचन्डमान थैबको  हत्यापछि उत्पन्न  बिबादको कारण माओबादी र एमाले बिच  सहमति हुन नसक्दा एकआपसमा  कार्यकर्ता भेट भए भिडन्त हुने संभाबना अझै रहेको छ ।

एमाले रुपन्देहीले सोमबार पनि रुपन्देही बन्दको आहृवान गरेको छ । बन्दका कारण कलकारखाना उद्योग ब्यापार बन्द रहेका छन । बिद्यार्थीहरुको एसएलसी परीक्षा बाहेका अन्य सबै क्षेत्र प्रभाबित रहेका छन् । लगातारको बन्दका कारण खाद्यान्न तरकारी लगायत का उपभोग्यका समानहरु पनि  बजारमा अभाब हुन थालेको छ । जसकाकारण बुटबलको जनजीबन थप कस्टकर बन्दै गैरहेको छ ।

एमाले नेता खिमलाल भटराइले  आन्दोलनलाई थप व्यबस्थित  बनाई आमहडतालको रुपमा लैजाने बताएका छन् ।  आन्दोलने सबैलाई असर पारेको बताउदै नेता भटृर्राईले हत्यार्राई काबाही नहुँदासम्म  सबैलाई सहयोग गर्न आग्रह गरे ।

उता  एकीकृत माओबादीले पनि  हत्याको बिषयमा  छानबिन गर्न ३ सदस्यीय टोली बनाएको छ  जस्मा  हकिउल्लाह खाँ बसन्त श्रेष्ठ र मिलनलाई  बुटबल हत्याकान्डको  छानबिन  गरी एकहप्तामा  प्रतिबेदन बुझाउन लगाइएको  एकीकृत माओबादी अबध मधेस राज्य समिति इन्चार्ज देबेन्द्र पौडेलले नेपाली पोष्टलाई जानकारी गराएका छन् ।