By Deepak Adhikari
Sea of Humanity:
Afternoon Updates:
As the rain stopped, state has cut off the mobile phone lines. But, Mero Mobile is still working. The state has again resorted back to brutality. In Kalanki, security forces opened fire at few protesters. Similarly, in Thapathali and Tripureshor area, gunshots were heard. At least three people could have been killed, eye witnesses say. The state may cut off the landlines as well. This shows that the king is not stepping back but using his force to suppress the movement.
Meanwhile, SPA’s meeting which concluded at 3 pm, decided that they won’t accept king’s proposal. They have come up with three-point-solutions: (1) Revival of Parliament (2) All party government and (3) Election of Constituent Assembly. SPA has stressed in 12 point agreement. They have reiterated their agreement with the Maoists. After the meeting, former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba commented :”I was then appointed PM using Article 35. Now also the same article is used. So, king’s intention is incorrect.”
SPA leaders’ univocal stance has given impetus to the ongoing movement.
The Royal Proclamation has not deterred people from showing what people’s power can do. I took a walk from Ghattekulo to Tinkune. In Ghattekulo, my residence lies in the ghetto. There too few youngsters were chanting slogans as I emerged out of my room. When I arrived near Dhobikhola bridge, another group of people from Naya Baneshor height came chanting slogans.
I saw one of my journo friend chanting slogans. He asked me to join the protests but I cited the impending curfew. But, in fact I didn’t want to blurr my professional life with that of an activist. I thought, I am better off with blogging about what’s happeing around the city.
In Anamnagar Chowk, few bikes and a number of antenna swaying sleek UN vehicles were on the road. When I reached the Hanumanthan junction, I remembered how while returning from office at midnight yesterday, I was forced to take another route to my room. A barrier was
placed there, but the security forces were absent. Yesterday, I was able to go to my room after three days stay at office.
Then, in Babarmahal, the agitation was heightened. A hoarding board with king’s message was demolished and placed in the middle of the road. In the other side of the road, an icecream vendor was selling icecream to a kid. A bit ahead towards Naya Baneshor, few protesters were cutting a roadside tree. They were almost done, but I could not wait to see that crumble.
I met our photo blogger Bikas Karki himself driving Kantipur van in Babarmahal. He told me he was off to fetch curfew pass.
In front of Everest Hotel, somke emanating from tyres was engulfing the sky above.
A motocyclist was chased away. An angry lady protester remarked : Hamro pani ta bike Chha ni! (We too have vehicle). Protesters were asking for petrol with the motorcyclists.
In Baneshor Chowk, police men asked people to move towards their home. But, they seemed unaware that the road just below was taken control by protesters. Bricks are scattered all over the road from Baneshor to Tinkune. As I write this, I can hear the yelling, whistlings and sloganeering coming from the streets.
At the moment, SPA leaders are holding meeting to respond king’s address. But, the common people are overwhelmingly demanding the end of monarchy. Security forces are seen waving hands to the protesters. They don’t seem in the mood of attacking the peaceful protests. The mood of protesters too is peaceful, for they hardly pelt stones. Waving flags, inviting people to join them, accepting the sprinkling of water as a solace have been their way of protests in recent days. As I write this blog, the curfew has already sarted but like yesterday, protesters have successfully defied it.
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Comments
129 responses to “General Strike Day XVII”
The king is extending an olive branch, the SPA should grab it. I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. All I want is stability, I don’t give a rat’s ass who is in power. The king’s proclamationis the quickest exit to this deadlock, take it!
THE HINDU IN INDIA WRITES:It’s nice and readworthy Article.
Opinion – News Analysis
In Nepal, the beginning of the end
Siddharth Varadarajan
People power has forced Gyanendra to cede executive power. But only a democratically elected Constituent Assembly can bring the people true sovereignty.
IN THE fullness of time, King Gyanendra — like other monarchs and ex-monarchs who litter the pages of history — will also realise that revolutions have a horology of their own and do not respect the neat rhythms that kings and generals try to impose on them.
For more than a year, the people of Nepal have been demanding that King Gyanendra end his illegal seizure of power and return executive authority to an elected government. After first subverting the Nepalese Parliament in 2002, Gyanendra staged a putsch-within-a-coup on February 1, 2005, arrogating all powers to himself and declaring an end to even the `three-fifths democracy’ that the 1990 Constitution embodied. But today, when the moment finally arrived for the monarch grumpily to announce his surrender on national television, the relentless clock of popular expectation and revolt could well end up robbing this kingly concession of its power to send the masses back into their homes.
Monumental folly
Today, the genie of constitutional change is out of the bottle, liberated from its confines by a monumental act of folly on the part of the King. From here, it will not be easy for either Gyanendra or the parties or the people who have come on the streets to merely return to the status quo ante as it prevailed on February 1, 2005.
The Ancient Greeks had a term to describe Gyanendra’s sickness — akrasia, or the state of acting against one’s better interests. Socrates saw akrasia as the manifestation of ignorance, Aristotle of weakness. In both cases, full-fledged reason is overwhelmed by impetuosity and bathos, qualities the Nepalese monarch surely possesses in abundance.
Four years ago, when he embarked on his misadventure, the demand for a Constituent Assembly was largely confined to the Maoists and to the student wings of the Nepali Congress and UML parties. If at all the subject came up for discussion in “polite company,” advocates for constitutional change were quick to add apologetically that any elected assembly need not necessarily be empowered to do away with the system of monarchy itself. What Gyanendra has done is turn the slogan for a Constituent Assembly into a democratic totem for the majority of his people. Most Nepalese today correctly consider constitutional change as essential to strengthen popular sovereignty, institute democratic control over the armed forces, and achieve a fairer deal for the country’s diverse and unequal ethnic groups, for the janajatis and the Dalits. Above all, a new and genuinely democratic and inconclusive Constitution will allow Nepal to transcend the violence and bloodshed that has marred the better part of the past decade. It will offer the prospects for a new and more just social compact in which there will be no room for insurgency and counter-insurgency.
It took one maharaja who no longer has a kingdom — Karan Singh — to rekindle the fading instincts for self-preservation in Gyanendra that hubris had all but extinguished. Each hour of every passing day was pushing the kingdom closer and closer to that crucial point at which kings and ex-kings, politicians and army chiefs suddenly discover they no longer have the capacity to control or even influence the flow of events. General Pyar Jung Thapa could always be counted upon to order his men to open fire on the gathering thousands but his soldiers’ fingers may have baulked at traversing those crucial few inches that stand between mutiny and genocide. India and the United States knew that time had already run out. And that a delay of even one more day would have meant there would be nobody out there to accept an offer of compromise from Gyanendra.
In the event, the King has stepped back from the edge but it is not clear his opponents are ready to accept the wares he is holding out. Gyanendra will not admit it but the whole of Nepal and the world already knows that he has lost his kingdom. Is his offer of returning executive power to the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) on behalf of the people under Article 35 of the Constitution, then, an admission on his part that the old order is over? The old order with all its constitutional ambiguities that allowed not just his palace putsch but also his unquestioned (and very disastrous) leadership over the army? Clearly not, since the text of the King’s televised speech makes explicit reference to the need for the country to be governed in accordance with “the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990.” All Gyanendra is offering, really, is a quick turn of the clock back to February 2005.
As the seven-party alliance ponders over its next move, its leaders should resist the temptation to give up the popular leverage that has made this remarkable turn of events possible.
Any acceptance of the King’s latest offer must be prefaced by a clear and transparent statement of purpose that respects the sentiments of the Nepalese people for fundamental constitutional change and a negotiated end to the Maoist insurgency in the country. It must also respect the basic principles of the two understandings reached between the SPA and the Maoists in November 2005 and March 2006.
The modalities of a transitional government, including the revival of parliament, the nature of the negotiations with the Maoists, and the manner in which a Constituent Assembly is to be elected, can all be worked out once the SPA takes charge, but this goal can and must be explicitly spelt out by the alliance leadership if the unprecedented popular uprising of the past few weeks is to have any meaning at all. In addition, the SPA must announce that their first act in power will be the release of all political prisoners, the scrapping of the draconian Terrorism and Disruptive Activities Ordinance (TADO), and the laws restricting media freedom. The SPA must also stress its understanding that the assumption of executive power includes taking charge of the Royal Nepal Army and that if at all there is any ambiguity, all the more reason to push for constitutional changes at the earliest possible opportunity.
At stake is not just popular sentiment but the parties’ own need for some guarantee against King Gyanendra making another grab for power once he feels the heat is off. Revolutions done in half-measure inevitably fail. The parties must learn well the lessons of Nepal’s recent history and not rest till the Nepalese people have wrested true sovereignty for themselves.
frankly kg must be ousted. nothing less should satisfy the bllod of 14 martyrs. this bloody maniac should go. if we miss the opportunity now the cost of nepali blood would be much bigger.
what good the KG can bring to Nepal for me nothing. From now on will there be any respect to this guy of nepalese people i doubt so. Monarchy for Nepal should be the thing of the past.
Longlive Loktantra!
If you want to get rid of Paras and Gyanendra, nepal’s true enemies, this is the time to push them off the cliff.
The Fact
.Death Doll at kalanki is 20.
.king has been backed by USA and India for further movement
.RNA used Helicopter to shoot at protester
Let’s not forget the other historically autocratic regime on the sideline – Maoism. Nepali people have now made it clear their feeling about autocracy … any autocracy. Maoists will also do well to take note now.
millions of people, people from all walk of life. well done. they have said what they wanted. its tremendous public support. one can not expect more than that. UWB team still counting the day of general strike. now i do not understand what you guys are looking for and do not know what SPA leaders expect more from people. they have all the mandate from people and from major international power players. with this kind of support they must be able to go through any agenda they like, even constituent assembly. if they still feel insecured then what even with such support and mandate then what can one thinks of them. may be they are afraid of maoists.
what i am scared is that as SPA–weakest among the three player–is still nowhere and if they failed to maneuvour this movement it is highly probable that maoists will hijack it and tehen what happen next is only god knows.
regarding the maoists agenda is not addressed by king, well remember that SPA has said before they will bring them to main stream. now its time to take some responsibility for themselve.
well people i live near New Road, there is big protest rally on indrachowk, it said that they are coming from gongabu and ready to attack palace, man this is going to be a big show.
i can hear the roar of people. it is said that there are about two hundred thousands in that rally. now only god will save this king.
thanks mk, please keep on posting.
i am in hongkong, so this blog is the only way , by which i can imagine what might be going there.
thnaks again
oh my!
surrounding the palace! Nepalese history is going to be straightended which is long overdue.
Long live democracy. Wish Ganeshman were here!
I transmit and translate the news from UWB! live in France. Please go on!
In this momentum my heart is with you all !
Loktantra is coming.
I also thank MK.
Pls keep posting.
This blog is the only quickest way to get updated. I am wake all night. I cannot get sleepy though it is 4 am here.
hey guys
I am near Indrachowk. Prosters are going from Indrachowk to Ason. There were lots of people.
I think they are not allowed to go further.
I can see end of the crowd near Ason.
I watched the faces of protesters. I couldn’t see people from vally out there. They are from out side Kathmandu. I smell blood. I clearly believe there are some maoists out there.
We all should be careful now.
i called someone in Ason, and he said there is some violence already at Bhotahity–very near to palace about 200 m–with security personnel fire tear gas and he said he heard some gun shot too.
Latest UPdate: चक्रपथ र शहरका भित्री भागहरुबाट निस्केको लाखौँको स्वःस्फूर्त जुलुश रत्नपार्क जान खोज्दा हजारभन्दा बढी संख्यामा तैनाथ सेना र प्रहरीले उनीहरुलाई सिंहदरबारबाट माइतीघर हुँदै त्रिपुरेश्वरतिर फर्काइदिएपछि त्रिपुरेश्वर पुगेपछि सुरक्षाकर्मीले हस्तक्षेप गरेका थिए। सुरक्षाकर्मीको हस्तक्षेपमा परि केही आन्दोलनकारीहरु घाइते भएका र बनेपा र भक्तपुरदेखि आएको लाखौँको मासमा सुरक्षाकर्मीले हस्तक्षेप गरेपछि आन्दोलनकारीहरु शहरका गल्लीगल्लीमा पसेको हाम्रा सम्वाददाताले बताएका छन्।
त्यसैगरी गङ्गबुबाट आएको हजारौँको जुलुश अस्कल अगाडि आइपुगेको छ भने चावहिलतिरबाट आएको विशाल जुलुश मैतीदेवीमा आइपुगेपछि सुरक्षाकर्मीले हस्तक्षेप गरेका छन्। घाइते कति भए यकिन हुन सकेको छैन। विभिन्न ठाउँका जुलुशहरुमा दलका युवानेताहरुले नेतृत्व दिएका छन्। त्रिपुरेश्वरमा एमाले केन्द्रीय सदस्य शङ्कर पोखरेल र मैतीदेवीमा गोकर्ण विष्टले नेतृत्व दिइरहेको देखिन्थ्यो।
उता ललितपुरबाट निस्केको हजारौँ हजारको जुलुश माइतीघरतिर अघि बढ्दै छ। उनीहरु निकै उत्साहपूर्वक राजा विरोधी नाराहरु लगाएर अगाडि बढिरहेको हामीलाई खबर प्राप्त भएको छ। आजको जुलुशमा आन्दोलनकारीहरु हिजो साँझ्को राजाको सम्बोधनबाट रिसाएका र त्यसलाई नमान्न सात दलका नेताहरुलाई चेतावनी दिइरहेका छन्।
-Himal
We, common nepali, are at the crossroads of history.we need to decide right now: not to have active monarcy who enjoy and squanderd our hardearned money and rape our democratic sentiments. so, march ahead to naraynhiti and pave way for new nepal.
Update
At thapathali,
2 were dead at 2:45 when army suddenly fired.
At tripureshwor,
2 were dead at 2:45 when army suddenly fired.
more than 4 ambulance is used to carry injured protestor
CNN has confirmed that moaists slogans are being chanted. Someone better do something before it gets out of hand.
OK guys Latest News from ASON
Police tried to stop protesters in ason, they couldn’t in Bhotahity launched multiple no. of tear gas. So there was running of the crowd i hear some people were crushed by other protesters. People living in bhotahity and ason is having really a nightmare due to tear gas.
Protesters are already scattered and going in different directions. It started to rain heavily out here in ason, indrachowk.
Lets be careful now. I believe there are Maoists in the Crowd.
ilive in new road, i can confirm that the rally is coming from Bhedasingh near Indrachowk and heading toward Ason.
i guess it is not too late to decide something soon–by SPA leaders and king–before maoists overtake the whole show. god bless nepali people.
Great!!!!
No matter wo does it,maoist or SPA, i just want that KG hanged.
Be care ful guys that reporter for CNN a fcking indian. Dont believe every thing that son of biach says.
I’ve heard that there is major maoist infiltration. I dont know what the outcome will be. Maybe the city dwellers should step out of their homes and take over so that the maoists do not.
There is less presence of SPA activists in the crowds. I think the curfew should be called off immediately, so that the KTM residence can come out and the protests dont get out of hand.
first let this gyaney be out of the country and then we’ll think about what to do with maoists and
all oldies like girija.
now its weather’s turn, its rainning heavily. i heard that protest rally at the Indrachwok, Bhedasingh, Bangemuda has been despersed.
oh! Mr rain not today.i like to see paras and gyaney on the street.
the protest is going out of hand.it is in control of no one.This is not going in right diretion as they are destryoing public property.police have surrounded the public offices.
I don’t think maoists with arms try to infiltrate. They can come if they agree with peaceful protest
with arms or without, democrats cannot let them take the momentum. Arms are ready for the grabbing with the security forces in the path of the demonstrators.
Listen, we know where the King stands and where the SPA stand and where we the people stand, but what is the moaist game? Has anyone heard from them lately? It’s all very dangerous.
protestors are entering random peoples houses, firing has resumed near the supreme court.
god, this is waht maoist were planning for.i am really starting to get afraid now.u r right scoop they were playing the waiting games and now it’s their chance to cash in.they r making full use of it,
Gyanendra has offered too little too late. He is bargaining like a cunning businessman. His announcement smells conspiracy. On one hand he asks the name of a PM and in other hand he announces curfew, puts leaders (JN khanal and BD Gautam)in prison. Many leaders and activists are still on prison. Do not trust him, do not give him the benefit of doubt. He has betrayed us and he will deceive us again.
SPA should calm down the crowd if,
1. he releases all political prisoners,
2. disowns army and security forces,
3. gives all the power to the following govermnet to negotiate with the maoist, and
4. let people decide on Monarchy
Maoists are Opportunist
They cannot be trusted in this situation anyhow.
KTM VALLY will not accept Maoists.
just got another news.SPA are meeting again and has given 24 hrs ultimatum to Gyane if not they are planning to make samanantar sarkar.what is samanantar?
Maoists, King and SPA all are opportunist
all are now part of our life,
all need a second chance
none of them should be abolished
only if they jointly work, we can have peace and prosperity
Mr.Hindu from India, get outta here. We hindus in nepal don’t pride ourselves as a hindu but as only as a nepali.And mind you, it was not karan singh or Maran singh’s visit that made the king handover the power to the people .It is the mass out in the street that did. And save us your analysis.This is not your exam paper.
SPA should come to agreement with King now this is too much going on. Why are they treating maoists like their “brother in law(jwai)” as if they can be trusted.
Maoists are playing with SPA. They are in valley with large numbers.
Just form a new govt and go for a peace talk.
Where are the politcal parties? No reaction at all!
The brave Nepali people is in the streets and like to go to the palace. GO ON AND DON’T BE AFRAID!
We all are waiting for an official declaration from the SPA and what they are doing? The have learned nothing? Talking, talking ans not making any adequate decision?
Look out Nepal! Maybe the Maoist going into this gap and try to reach their skills.
Where are the leaders? They has to be in the front NOW!
Dear Nepalis, go on and don’t stop your movement for a free and democratic Nepal so you can live without fear and build up a peacefull life.
This today is RISING NEPAL! (not the newspaper)
People, this has gone beyond the grip of the SPA.They are even chanting ” prachanda jindabad”. So much for your “Loktantra”.By the way did you know that this word has been imported from India and holds the same meaning as prajatantra?
SPA in the hands of Prachanda now. This is just awesome
may God give wishdom to all Nepali on and off street
last thing we wanted to hear was pracahnda jindabad…..
yes mofkrs if u were not satisfied by the king who was defeated and accpeted his defeat reaclling to form an interim govt…… fk hell yeah…. prachanda jindabad….. lau khau rani ko ban haary prajantantra….
bhok pani bhudi ma atney jati lagnu parcha…bhdui futney bhok lagey pachi yestai ho…. hell yeah prachanda jindabad.
Finally the SPA givces declaration. They don’t accept the so called “Royal”proclamation.
Now, leaders of SPA, go on the street with your people and fight until the “king” gives full power to the people and step down as a ceremonial king or going in excile!
More will die if common sense do not prevail. Even the gods have spoken and has brought down rain and hail to disperse the crowds. Lord Pashupati Nath has spoken. All you godless communist heathens and psuedo-democrats go home and think about the betterment of your country not self gratification!
let’s welcome Decocratic Peoples Republic of NEPAL.
NEPAL: The only Maoist republic to be formed in the 21st century.
Mobile in Kathmandu is down