Demonstrations are going on with great reduction in traffic in the Nepal’s capital
By UWB! Team
The rally at Kalanki. Photo by Shaligram Tiwari.
[6:25PM] The massive rally at Teku bridge were dispersed by police with more than a dozen rounds of tear-gas shells. The rally that began at Gongabu collected people on its way to Kalanki to Balkhu to Sanepa before it attempted to envade the restricted area throuhg Teku Bridge at Pachali.
The demonstrators nearly broke the shield of hundreds of policemen stationed at the bridge but the police used tear-gas to disperse them. A few of the rallyist however moved to Teku road and gathered there chanting slogans. They turned to Kalimati after large number of police arrived there.
There were more than 20,000 demonstrators in the rally. Even the hundreds of Armed Police Force (APF) at Kalanki couldn’t stop them and just ensured that they don’t enter the city area leaving the Ring Road and let it move towards Balkhu.
[3:25PM] Traffic in Koteshwor and Baneshwor area is almost non-existent.
Rally at Kaushaltar resumed at 11:00 AM and the demonstrators rallied the Kaushaltar, Ghatthaghar, Thimi and Lokanthali area. A lot of women pariticipated in the rally at around 12:00 noon. The demonstrators are either rallying or sitting on the road.
Photos By Rajaram Gautam
At 8:00AM in Kalanki, a massive crowd gathered to listen student leader Gagan Thapa’s speech. He said during ongoing movement, Kalanki’s people had participated overwhelmingly. He thanked them and asked them to take their spirit to the core of the city.
[10:40AM] A rally of Seven Party Alliance (SPA) closed down the Arniko Highway at Kaushaltar area. The rally participated by around 1000 demonstrators rallied from Kaushaltar to Thimi and back to Lokanthali was closely watched and followed by hundreds of policemen but didn’t intervene.
Bhaktapur is closed also because of the Bisket Festival which is one of the biggest festivals in Thimi and Bhaktapur. The rally has now ended but it’s scheduled to resume at 11:00AM.
At Patan and Kathmandu, the number of public vehicles on road is almost nil whereas a few motorbikes and private vehicles are plying on the road. The traffic on Saturdays is usually less.
The demonstrators had done some vandalizing works in the Chakrapath area, including Gongabu, last night but no details are available.
United We Blog 
Comments
129 responses to “General Strike Day X Updates”
Of course, the King didn’t ‘liberate’ us from the Ranas.
What I was trying to say was that the Ranas and the Shahs have had their own family feuds for generations. The Ranas imprisoned the Shahs, but they also needed them, just as later on the Shahs needed the Ranas and their contacts in the army.
But the King definitely did not liberate Nepal from the ‘Ranas’. No, he just liberated himself from having forever to be dictated to by the Ranas. Nepal was like a chessboard for him, he used Nepalis merely to win back power for himself, with Indian help of course.
We can’t forget the Indian treachery there.
The Ranas have a love/hate relation with the Shahs. They’d love to get rid of them and get back into power themselves, at least guys like Shirish and Sachit would, but if they locked the present ‘King’, their legitimacy would also go. So they’re happy to be the behind-the-scenes players.
In a sense, we still have an informal Rana-shashan in the country, aided by some other high-class Chettris.
As someone else said somewhere earlier, I feel like this site has become a domain for the folks (usually in USA) residing outside to blabber about democracy.
Moreover, rather than a differing mass of opinions, it has become a piece of opinionated junk.Anyone with a different perspective is ridiculed and considered an outcast. Seriously, we need to change the attitude.
I am sure many of you will consider this an issue irrelevant in the context because you guys just don’t want to admit it.
Peace,
hari sharma
This general strike can go as long as it likes. Unless it overcomes the curse of Maoist being involved in it (Mahara’s statement on BBC) it will not create much pressure on the administration.
The current political stalemate will not end unless Maoists give up their arms. Without that King will go on ruling for ever, and so he should. Rather than letting the Murderous Maoists rule the country by fooling the parties, I prefer King’s rule.
Sanjeet
म तिम्रो कविताको प्रशंशा अवश्य गर्छु किनकि यो समयसापेक्ष छ । अरुले पनि गर्ने थिए होलान तर शायद उनीहरू सँग नेपाली फन्ट छैनन होला या अंग्रेजी मात्रै बुझ्छन होला । त्यसैले कमेन्ट आएनन । आशा छ अरु कविता पनि आउलान ।
Bhudai Pandit
I appriciate your logical discussion and agree with you in most of the cases butwhy are you shy of your own political leaders ? There may be people of our likes and dislikes in politics as in everywhere and so are in democratic system too. There are many who don’t like you and me.As a democrat I don’t find any reason to discredit democratic fighters for the sake Sulav like
people. You should not discredit democratic fighters for their mistakes because even God may err. Just choose your line – Which side you are? For democracy or against it? In this struggle I like them who are ‘for’ and dislike them who are ‘against’. This is my measuring scale.
Raj:
No this issue is not simple as choosing between black and white. I am for democracy but I also realize that the past political leaders were huge failures and some major reforms need to be made. Just reinstating democracy will not solve Nepal’s problems – it is the start but it will not solve all our problems! Right now the parties are the only viaable solution out of THIS CRISIS. And you are mistaken if you think that God errs – where did you come up with that?
Hari Sharma:
I don’t understand what your problem is. If someone comes here and presents their view with some good justification no one will ridicule him/her. But people come here and drop one liners in support of the King without any basis. What do you want people like me to do? I think the King is responsible for the much of what is happening now. If someone thinks there is justification in supporting the Monarchy then they better well present a good argument or suck it up and deal with being rediculed!
C.K Lal had a good article in Nepali Times. One of the things he said that made sense to me was that the internationls should stop blasting off so much. That’s true. I don’t like what the ‘King’ is doing, but even then I’m finding it hard everyday to digest foreigners blasting him.
If they want to make a difference, they’d better do it without words. Words don’t hurt someone who thinks he’s God.
I was reading about Jang Bahadur recently. Whatever else he was, he was smart and had guts. I mean, real guts. Not like our present ‘King’ who goes everywhere under army and police protection.
Manan:
I agree that Nepal is a Sovereign country and foregin powers shoud not interfer in our internal affairs. However, what the King has been doing is wrong by all objective standards – he has been violating internationally agreed upon human rights standards and other international laws. What else do you expect foregin leaders to do?
I agree that British Ambassador has often corssed the line since he should follow diplomatic protocol. But in today’s world people like Gyanendra will face critisim and “blasting” for doing things which violate the norm of civilization.
Nepal Solidarity Bulletin – 8 & 9
15 April 2006
General strikes resumes, shooting in Kathmandu
After a day relaxation for the New Year, the indefinite general strike called by the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and supported by the CPN (Maoists) has been resumed today. Like in the last 10 days, today also markets were closed, no traffics at the streets and education institutions, public and private enterprises including banks, hotels, electricity authority were shut down. Private hospitals and their staffs also extended support to the strikes. Similarly, people from different sections of society including the religious groups, business communities, community forest groups, women groups have also issued statement and extended their support for the general strikes and whole country became standstill.
Kathmandu: it is reported that demonstrations were carried out various parts of Kathmandu since the early in the morning. Federation of Nepalese Journalists held a demonstration at Gaushala today and police security forces brutally attacked the unarmed protestors and injured six journalists and arrested three. A mock funeral procession was held in Baneshwor this morning where two students were arrested. Women protested at Gangabu in the morning and a protest march was organized in the afternoon where thousands of people joined. Likewise, several artists were arrested from Putali Sadak while they were carrying out demonstrations. Similarly, demonstrations were held at Chabahil, Koteshwor, Banasthali, Kalanki, Kirtipur, Maitidevi. Kalanki procession was addressed by student leader Gagan Thapa and Harihar Lamichhane. In the mid afternoon, all the demonstrations began from various places culminated in Kalanki where over 100 thousand people there and move towards center city via Sanepa. However, the royal security forces brutally attacked the peaceful demonstrators and opened fire while the frontal side reached in the middle of the bridge. Over 3 dozens were injured by the bullets including former minister and CPN (UML) leader Lal Bahadur B.K. and NC (D)’s leader and former minister Ms Sabitri Bogati. It is reported that it was the first such large demonstration that ever seen in Kathmandu after 1990 pro-democracy movement.
Lalitpur: a demonstration was moved from Tyagal, Sundhara, Mangalbazar and ended at Prayagpokhari. Likewise, this morning a mass meeting was held in Lubhu which was addressed by Rajendra Pandey (CPN-UML), NC leader Benup Prasai and NC (D) Ram Krishna Chitrakar.
Bhaktapur: demonstrations were carried out in Suryabinayak, Thimi.
Palpa: about 20 thousand people joined the protest rally organized in Tansen this morning. Tansen bazaar is completely closed today.
Chitawan: demonstration was held at Samyam Chowk.
Kavre: over 4000 people took part today’s demonstration.
Kailali: a joint demonstration organized by four national trade unions was held in Dhangadhi where over 20 thousands protestors participated. Meanwhile, trade union leader Dinesh Rai and another member of Gefont was arrested from Bara this morning. Similarly, it is reported that demonstrations were carried out in Bajhang, Bajura, Doti, Kanchanpur, Dadeldhura, Achham and Baitadi by the SPA today. In Kanchanpur, teachers staged protest rally from where dozen of them arrested including wife of Police DSP this morning.
Makawanpur: Dawn to Dust curfew was declared in Hetauda where demonstrators defied the curfew and launched protest programs. 119 demonstrators were arrested from Hetauda today.
Banke: a large number of people came to the streets in Nepalgunj, Banke district and chanted slogans against the king Gyanendra.
Seven Party Alliance and CPN (Maoist) reject dialogue with the king
The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) rejected the king’s call for dialogue. They said “The King has used the trump card of dialogue at a time when he is completely isolated at the national and international level,” in a press statement issued by the alliance’s task force. The statement added that it was “meaningless” to hold talks with the King until state authority and the country’s sovereignty were transferred to the people and autocracy ended. “The idea of a dialogue is a ploy by the royal regime to create confusion among the people and the international community,” it added. The meeting also decided to continue the general strike and peaceful demonstrations until further notice. The alliance’s top leaders held a meeting to discuss the future programmes of non-cooperation and defiance of the government.
Likewise, Maoist leader Prachanda rejected the call for a dialogue on the grounds that the call “disrespected” the people’s desire for total democracy and peace and was not in “tune with the dynamics of Nepali politics”.
A separate statement issued by CPN (UML) acting general secretary Amrit Kumar Bohara said the King’s message was a “continuation of his autocratic roadmap” and ignored the aspiration of the Nepali people and international community for democracy and peace. The message, Bohara said, tried to mislead the international community with “verbal eloquence”.
SMS which I received..
RAGAT LE LEKHINCHHA ETIHAS KO PANA
RAGAT LE KORINCHHA MANKO CHAHANA
CHAHINCHHA ABA LOKTANTRAKO JAMANA
ANI MATRA TIRINCHHA PURKHA KO RAGAT KO HARJANA
TESAILE EUTA JAGARUK NEPALI LE ABA BHANNAI PARCHHA,
lOKTANTRA JINDA BAD
BIR SHAHID HARU JINDA BAD.
Bravo,
i agree that its about making a choice between monarchy and democracy. but there is no direct relationship between democracy and peace or democracy and development.
people here are a bit too excited about getting rid of the King. does anyone have an answer as to who would replace the king?
also what is the aim of this movement? when will people know its over? The SPA does not have a definite goal or way to achieve it. the movement is a result of frustationa of the parties to the King and a short cut to the chair.
jeewan,
you idiot, still mumbling aroung. Like the King is an option right now.
This blog sucks!
People around here sucks coze they don’t want to listen the views of another group. It only makes me laugh to see that you guys support democrasy!
jeevan,
I dont thnik that who is the replacement of king is the important question ..it can be anyone by the will of people..people are not figthing and risking their life all over the country to put someone to the power…this is the different between maoist revolution and the current revolution. Even, Baburam and Prachanda have publicly said in katipur interview that they would not be undertaking primeministership of the country…. If it were only the question of primeminister..king has no hesitation in handing over it to girija or anyone…the basic cause the people are fighting is to establish a robust democratic system where king or anyone could not interfere anymore..our three or more generation have been fighting for the same cause….that is to to establish democracy in Nepal…the people are hence gighting a final battle to ensure that the next generation do not have to fight for this cause anymore..of course the establishment of democracy is not the panacia of all diseases..but as budhai pundit pointed out, it will be begining of a new era….there will be several revolutions after the establishment of democracy..but those revolutions will be aimed at removing the corruption, solving the problems adressed by maoist and for economic development..I dont say all the problems will be solved right away but at least it opens the doors for a new begining and closes the door for the king and any others to to snatch away our democratic right.
TODAY GENERAL PUBLIC REALIZED THAT WE ARE FACING DICTATORSHIP, WHY WORRY FOR TOMORROW WHEN WE HAVE SUCH AN UNITED TODAY FIGHTING FOR ONE CAUSE GENERAL PUBLIC WOULD LEAD WE ARE THE NATION. EACH DAY NEW LEADERS ARE BORN .NO ONE BECOMES POLITICIAN OR DEMOCRAT WITH ONLY CHOICE ITS AN INDIVIDUAL INSIDE US WHO WANTS FREEDOM FROM SUPRESSION,WANTS DIGNITY, SELFRESPECT, BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS NOONE LEADS THIS WAY IN 21ST CENTURY EVERY INDIVIDUALITY SHOULD BE RESPECTED, THERE IS NO SPACE FOR DICTATORS IN THIS WORLD ITS BETTER THEY FIND A DIFFERENT PLANET OR GET OUT OF THEIR FANTACY LAND,GONE ARE THE DAYS OF SLAVERY & TREATING A NATION LIKE A PUPPET.WHAT CAN SADDAM DO TODAY EXCEPT YELLING IN THE COURT WISH THESE FOOLS REALIZE PEOPLE LEAD TODAY NOT THEM. ENTIRE NEPAL IS SPEAKS FOR THEMSELF.LETS NOT FORGET WHAT YOU SOW YOU REAP
Amit,
what is your view…I have not seen any comment from you…If you want to make other listen you should tune your frequency so that it is eithr audible to other readers or it does not harm to their ears…who want to listen anyone who shouts but doesnot make any sense of what they are talking..of course most of the politicians are corrupt..but how many times we have to say that we are not fighting for politicians but for democracy…how many times we have to ask people to bring some coherent reasonings to back up king without saying i like king and hate politicians….
Mister Marks.
Michael is absolutely right about this Thomas A. Marks character. He is no “Dr”, he is a soldier, a graduate from the US Military Academy. He lives in Honolulu, and he is “consultant” for “several firms specializing in political risk and personal security”. And he is consultant for the American “think tank” RAND
(“Research And No Development”..).
Among others involved with RAND, we find Donald Rumsfield and Condoleezza Rice..
Yes, why is it that mister Marks shows such an interest in Nepal these days? Because he is on a mission to promote American interests here, i.e. the interests of George Walker Bush and the rest of his ultrarightwing gangster elite in their efforts towards world domination, what they call “The American Century”. I call what they are after The 4th Reich.
Bravo,
Yes I have not any postings so far. I am just reading through the discussions. What a freak you are! Now you are using harsh words against me. You guys don’t even know good manners of posting in a forum. Guys like you have turned the country upside down in democratic days.
Guys like you want democracy for your benefits…may be your parents or you yourself took great advantage from the Democratic days and since you could not take any advantage out of the current system you are crying too hard for it…..keep cryin
What you think you are?
I see you most of the time doing posting in this blog. If you think you are a real Democracy fighter then go and fight in street with people. It is much easier to sit in front of computer screen and make comment of others than the real fight on streets.
Grow up boy!
Amit, guys like you-fence sitters- make me sick. This forum generates a lot of heat so people lose their cool and says nasty things sometimes. You’re one of those idiots who think democracy =SPA. Democracy means a lot more than that. Grow up.
Kirat
You are the biggest idiot i have ever seen in my life. Go and do some good works rather then wasting your time and energy.
I don’t (and neither anyone) give a shit to what you say. Who you think you are ? a leader ? give a break!
and get back to your school
Kirat..
you know what? You are the biggest Idiot i have ever seen. Make you life useful.
You are not a leader or anything…get back to school you dumbhead
Amit, remember you idiot you are in a blogsite that fights for democracy. Stop crying now.
You guys need a servant at home for cooking, dish washing, washing your filthy cloths and you guys talk pro-democracy, anti-slavery!
You all understood what I REALLY mean.
Yeah Amit, come over I have some undies to wash.
Kirat,
You last argument made me laugh. You don’t know what OPINION stands for in Democracy.
Seems you are the only one who know and who needs Democracy in this country.
I didn’t know this site was only for SPA chamchas!
That is it..
It all speaks your sick mentality and how democratic you are…
Amit…carry on
good job!!
Amit in all your rantings like an idiot you never had an opinion.
Amit,
Now I relized mistake by responding your comment…you are not worth of responding..
but just like to add one more thing..yes i took a lot of advantage during those days…I enjoyed my freedom which i dont have any..I had a job those days in a NGO ..but no more because of the present undemocratic regime…and I dont see any possibility of getting any job until the democracy is restored…. and let me tell ya, i am not an unqualified person..I have got distinction in my SLC , BSC and in my MSc…and for your kind information ..there are thousands of Nepalese like me who have lost their job after this royal takeover..if you think that i am in favor of democracy for my personnel advantage..yes i am …I desperately want to find a job in non government sector which is not possible until the democracy is restored..I was not born with silver spoon i nmy mouth…I did a lot of hard work in during my study..and I want my hard work get paid off…yes i want to take advantage of democracy……
To all those Naysayers listen : Today’s fight is for our freedom and our basic human rights against tyranny. In short for a proper democracy.
Tommorows fight will be to keep this democracy alive and well and against corrupt, ineffective and incompetent leaders.
So support todays fight because it is for your future as well as mine!
Yes Bravo,
I don’t want to argue and waste my time either.
FYI I too hold Masters degree and have been working professionally in one of the best Private company in Nepal. I have not lost any job and neither of any staff in this company had.
NGOs.. I am sick of those NGOs. People used it as a way of earning money by doing useless works and earning foreign grants. I don’t mean all NGOs but most of them fall in that category (if you want the list I can provide you with it). I beleive you were working in one of them
Amit,
So if not NGo, tell me where I can find a job in nepal, I am a master in GIS and remote sensing with specialization in environment..Man.. whatever the NGOs were for whether to serve people or make money for themselves..they created thousands of jobs in nepal…..you didnt lost your job because u were priviledged to work in a private company..I lost it because i worked in an organization wchich could not function without the support of doner agencies…you are very lucky man..i envy you
Thomas Marks is right on the button.
Vandeveer, you say Dr. Marks is a CIA agent, but I wonder what you are? Are you here representing RIM? Why dont you direct your remarks to him directly instead of making behind the back attacks. Invite him on this forum, and we will see who is what. Same goes for others who join the bandwagon. Besides no matter what he may or may not be, he has a lot more experience with the Maoists first hand then any of you writing here on this blog with semi fiction running through your heads. Can any of you claim to have direct contact and field experience in dealing with Maoists of Nepal and all over the world? Experience goes a long way. Dont just try and disrepute artilcles by calling the author names. After all we may know who he is, I bet you he does’nt try to hide it, but who the hell are you? I have never heard of a Vandeveer except on this blog. Where are your articles printed? Where is your research? What is your source? In essence let’s have your bio data? And back it up. Does anyone publish anything of yours, or are you just a blog terrorist in the pockets of organisations like RIM? This weeks Nepali Times artcle shows that there maybe quite a few of you around, expecting a Maoist republic. And for heaven’s sake make your argument to adress the article not the person.
Bravo,
Don’t envy a fellow Nepali who does not care about his fellow Nepali’s. As long as that guy himself is okay he doesn’t care if the rest of Nepal rots away.
Amit and royalists like him,
Royalists’ attitude is based on negativity; you have your significance by pointing the negativity of others; you have to curse political parties to support KG. you don’t have a single point to support him. but support for democracy is based on the beauty of equality, freedom , integrity..
As i have already mentioned
” One who cannot reason is a fool, one who doesnot reason is a bigot and who dares not reason is a slave”
A few days back Girija Prasad Koirala was at a meeting with all the old guards of the Congress. This is what he said:
” The King has got the army and the there is the Maoists on the other side, so we are nowhere right now. I think to come out of this situation as winners and support for the parties we need to have 4-5 newars killed in the valley and blame it on one or the other of the two (King or Maoists).”
I thought long and hard before posting this. You will not see this in any paper. If you want to verify this, dont ask me, this is one of the only places where I can post such comments. Ask the “old guards” if this is true.
If this is moderated by UWB I dont blame you.
Kirat,
i am trying not to…but could not stop doing that..I wonder how many luckiest guys like Amit in Nepal who do not suffer anything whatever the poltical system in Nepal..despite holding the job..he is also holding his freedom os speech..he was free to protest against political parties and supporting kind during the days of democracy and he is still holding that privilidge…I could not protest against king during those days neither now..
wow scoop if it’s true it’s really sad.
scoop,
I don’t know legitimate the news is. But if it is really true then democracy lead by SPA will be the greatest tragedy for the country. We all know SPA leaders are bad politicians but I guess no one ever thought they could play such a bad politics.
Yeah, Bravo but remember how insensitive he is stating it’s better that the NGO’s closed down. What an idiot. It’s because of these kind of people who care nothing for others but are only interested in their own selfish problems that this country is where it is at. I am afraid these type of people will always be around. We just got to ignore them.
Cheer up Bravo I am sure things will turn for the better sooner than later. The signs are there. You are well qualified so when things do become better I am sure you will have plenty of opportunities for employment.
hey UWB ,
why have u lingered me in the lousy mooderaaaaatioooon ….
i guess i have not posted anything to get moderated..
or can’t i change my name ‘coz this tended to be too long?
oh i don’t know waz goin on?…
Scoop 007,
plz keep on updating if you have further news regarding that from your reliable clandstine source…and i also kindly request you to unveil that ugly plan of Girija in other media also…
kirat, thanks for your support
I simply said that attitude of royalists like amit are based on negativity.
They can give justification of the rule of KG being only based on the negativity of political leaders. they don’t have a single point to support this monarchy but can only curse girija:’prajatantra ko durvagya’.
but support for democracy is based on the beauty of freedom, equality, integrity…
common UWB , why was it moderated..
Bravo,
You said,
…I could not protest against king during those days neither now…
But I wonder what you are doing all these days in this site? !
‘Just follow me and don’t say a word against me’ is what seems the motto of so called Nepalese Democrats! If somebody says something independantly or opposes them, he is sure to get different and interseting names like mandale, chamcha, chatukar, bootlicker…..etc. and pandegali like idiot, stupid … I also support true democracy but not under these thugs! Unless maoists are ready to return their arms to some UN agencies and SPA is ready to change its culture, there is no use of any change! Chnge should not be for the sake of change only. Even if king abdicates, it will only create new chaos in the country since maoists are never trustworthy and SPA has the culture of dogfighting for the bone of power.
Aalupande is great..i love you…uummmhhhhaaa..you are brilliant ..you are the brightest of all…genius…
Thomas Marks is right on the button.
Vandeveer, you say Dr. Marks is a CIA agent, but I wonder what you are? Are you here representing RIM? Why dont you direct your remarks to him directly instead of making behind the back attacks. Invite him on this forum, and we will see who is what. Same goes for others who join the bandwagon. Besides no matter what he may or may not be, he has a lot more experience with the Maoists first hand then any of you writing here on this blog with semi fiction running through your heads. Can any of you claim to have direct contact and field experience in dealing with Maoists of Nepal and all over the world? Experience goes a long way. Dont just try and disrepute artilcles by calling the author names. After all we may know who he is, I bet you he does’nt try to hide it, but who the hell are you? I have never heard of a Vandeveer except on this blog. Where are your articles printed? Where is your research? What is your source? In essence let’s have your bio data? And back it up. Does anyone publish anything of yours, or are you just a blog terrorist in the pockets of organisations like RIM? This weeks Nepali Times artcle shows that there maybe quite a few of you around, expecting a Maoist republic. And for heaven’s sake make your argument to adress the article not the person.
Once a friend of mine aasked me, Do you play better cricket than Sourav ganguli , when I was arguing with him about Ganguli’s cricketing abilitly….. Similiarly, Sherbahadur deuba asked a guy to come and be a leader in nepal when he was raising question about Deuba’s leadership ability….. Neither I can play cricket better than Ganguli nor that Guy become a leader of nepal. It does not imply that we should stop commenting about them….one does not need to publish article or have a lengthy bio data to comment about other person and his or her article
One can comment on someone’s article. But not even adressing the the artgument and moving straight to discredit the author is not a way of “commenting” on an article.