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Civil Society members have demanded that the government remove Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Renu Kumari Yadav at the earliest for publicly threatening to kill CK Raut, Chairman of Janamat Party.

Issuing an appeal on Friday, Dr Kedar Narsingh KC, Charan Prasain, Ganesh Kumar Mandal, Sushil Pyakurel, Taranath Dahal, Indra Aryal, Mahamanishwor Acharya and Kanak Mani Dixit expressed their dissatisfaction over the remarks.

During a programme organized in Rautahat on January 19, Minister Yadav had warned of carrying out Gaur massacre again.

As many 27 cadres of the then CPN-Maoist were murdered at a Gaur-based rice mill on March 21, 2007.

She warned that CK Raut will face the fate like that of Maoist cadres if he keeps on challenging her.

The Civil Society leaders have claimed that Yadav, who tried to promote violence in the society, does not deserve the post of minister.

The activists have also raised questions over the government's inaction despite remarks by the minister with ‘the potential of sparking social unrest’.
 

Citizens’ Appeal: 21 January 2022, Kathmandu

Relieve minister who acknowledges involvement in massacre and threatens targeted killings

We the undersigned strongly object to the statement made by Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Renu Yadav on 19 January at a political event in Gaur of Rautahat District, where she threatened opponents with targeted killing and made incendiary remarks that have the potential of sparking social unrest.

1. The well-known Gaur Massacre of 21 March 2007 was a mass killing conducted by the then Madheshi People’s Rights Forum, where 28 Maoist cadre lost their lives. In her speech of 19 January, Minister Yadav publicly acknowledged her party’s involvement in the massacre even as the perpetrators of that barbaric episode remain outside the purview of law, and impunity rages on in the country.
2. At the same event, publicly available video clips show Minister Yadav threatening a repeat of the Gaur Massacre by encircling and targeting Chandra Kant Raut (CK Raut), Chair of the Janamat Party. We are clear that a person who cannot hold the dignity of a minister’s position, demonstrates criminal mindset, and publicly concedes to acts of murder, is ineligible to retain any position of public responsibility.
3. The fact that a sitting minister can threaten target killings, and also proudly take ownership of a massacre, is the result of the unchecked lack of accountability in the country. Meanwhile, the fact that the Government has failed to show interest or concern three full days after Minister Yadav’s harsh words became public knowledge raises the question whether she was expressing the Government’s own point-of-view and attitude. The first duty of any government is to give citizens a sense of the existence of rule of law, and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba must take the lead in fulfilling this responsibility. Accordingly, we demand that Prime Minister Deuba immediately relieve Minister Yadav of her post and move to start legal proceedings against her.

1. Dr. Kedar Narsingh KC
2. Charan Prasai
3. Ganesh Kumar Mandal
4. Sushil Pyakurel
5. Taranath Dahal
6. Indra Prasad Aryal
7. Mahamunishwar Acharya
8. Kanak Mani Dixit

Contact: 9851053209

The government of Nepal has decided to grant on arrival visas to only those foreign nationals who have received both doses of vaccine against Covid-19.

Issuing a notice on Friday, the Department of Immigration said that the foreign nationals have to present vaccination cards, negative reports of Covid-19 test conducted 72 hours before the flight, proof of hotel booking and mountaineering and trekking permit to obtain the on arrival visa.

Similarly, the department said that the foreigners who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 will have to take a visa from the Nepali Mission in the concerned country.

Foreigners who have not been vaccinated will have to undergo mandatory antigen tests at the airport.

If the results come positive, they will have to stay in isolation designated by the Ministry of Health and Population and they will have to stay in hotel quarantine for five days if the results come negative.

The department said that the foreigners will have to bear the expenses on their own.

The department further said that the on arrival visa will be given to the officials, staffers and their family members of the diplomatic mission in Nepal who have received both doses of vaccine against the Covid-19.

Those who have not been vaccinated will have to stay in quarantine for five days designated by the concerned diplomatic missions.

Kathmandu University and North Korea are in talks, exploring ways to conduct joint research in various fields. Kathmandu University officials met North Korean officials recently to carry out research studies in agriculture, information technology and hydropower, says Kathmandu University Registrar Dr Subodh Sharma.

North Korean Ambassador to Nepal Jo Yong Man had reached Dhulikhel on January 5 to attend the meeting.

 “North Koreans are experts in hydro-power,” a KU professor who attended the meeting told ApEx, adding, “We can develop Nepal’s hydropower sector with the use of their skills.” He, however, says the university has not signed any agreement with North Korea.

Kathmandu University Vice-Chancellor Dr Bhola Thapa, Registrar Sharma and Dean of School of Engineering Manish Pokharel were among those present at the program.

Similarly, North Korean Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission Jonghyuk Kim had attended the program from the North Korean side.

The United Nations Security Council has imposed sanctions on North Korea. As a UN member state, Nepal has also banned trade with North Korea at the request of the United Nations since 22 December 2019.

Moreover, the Nepal government has shut down hospitals, restaurants and software companies being operated by North Korean nationals.

Purbanchal University and Mid-Western University have decided to postpone all their scheduled examinations.

The Examination Controller Office of the Mid-Western University said that it has decided to postpone all its examinations in view of the rising cases of Covid-19.

Dr Ananda Prasad Subedi, Head of the Examination Controller Office, said that the exams have been postponed until further notice.

Similarly, the Examination Controller Office of Purbanchal has also decided to postpone its all examinations.

Earlier on Thursday, Tribhuvan University and Public Service Commission have also postponed their scheduled examinations until the next notice.