Broadsheet dailies (both in Nepali and English) published in Kathmandu on Thursday, April 21, 2016, have given prominent space to the call by Maoists and Naya Shakti to scrap conflict-era cases, update on the work TRC has done so far, and the interaction between Madheshi Morcha and foreign diplomats based in Kathmandu.

Important

TRC update: Disqualified combatants want justice, the case of Rolpa 

Nagarik and Republica have given prominent space to a report on former child soldiers’ filing of a complaint against the then rebels for using them during the decade-long insurgency. While Republica has made the story its lead for the day, Nagarik has dedicated the top-right position of its front page to the story.

Republica in its report says, “On behalf of the 4,009 discharged combatants, the committee on Tuesday lodged the complaint demanding action against the Maoist leadership for using them in the insurgency although the leadership was aware that they were minors. The complaint was registered at the TRC office in Kathmandu and the registration number of the complaint is 49.” The report quotes of the former child soldiers as saying that they have also demanded action against then United Nations Mission in Nepal “for turning a blind eye toward the use of child soldiers.”

The Himalayan Times in its anchor for the day says that the TRC and Commission on Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) has received the least number of complaints from Rolpa district, considered the “epicentre” of the Maoist insurgency. According to the report, the TRC has so far received 20 complaints about incidents in Rolpa while only one conflict victim has complained to the CIEDP. The report says that this could mean that the conflict victims in Rolpa have little faith in the transitional justice mechanisms.

Maoists want conflict-era cases scrapped 

The Himalayan Times in its second lead story for the day says that four Maoist parties and Naya Shakti issued a joint statement to scrap conflict-era cases, claiming that such cases violated the Comprehensive Peace Accord. The report says that the parties, which once formed the CPN-Maoist, have demanded that the cases be resolved through the transitional justice mechanisms. “It is unfortunate that the sate remains a mere spectator when the CPA signed by the state is being grossly violated by one of its organs,” the joint statement reads. The report says that CPN Maoist led by Netra Bikram Chand refused to join Maoist leaders to issue a joint statement.

Madheshi Morcha leaders meet foreign diplomats

Annapurna Post and The Himalayan Times have given prominent space to the meeting between the Federal Alliance and foreign diplomats based in Kathmandu. While The Himalayan Times stresses on the fact that alliance leaders told diplomats that their protest will be “peaceful” and “democractic”, Annapurna Post says the alliance is under pressure to resume talks with the government. According to The Himalayan Times, Forum Nepal chief Upendra Yadav read out a statement while TMLP chief Mahanta Thakur responded to the diplomats’ queries at the programme organised at the Hotel Radission in Kathmandu.

Ignored 

Whither the agro scientists?

Naya Patrika has an anchor on the “shortage” of agriculture scientists in the country. In its three-column story below the fold, it says that although the National Agriculture Research Council has provisions for 413 scientists, 124 positions have remained vacant. It also says that when there was a call for application for 25 positions, the government could only recruit eight scientists because the rest did not qualify for the post.

Wildfires affect forests, but what about the settlements nearby?

Republica’s anchor for the day is on how frequent wild fires in Nepal pose a risk to human settlement near the woods. In its report on the situation in Mahottari, the paper says, “According to locals, forest areas in Tuteshwar, Banke, Maraha and Sagarnath among others are seeing fire incidents almost on a daily basis. Thousands of households living nearby those forests, including those in Khayarmara, Laxminiya and Bardibas Municipality, among others, are worried that their settlements may turn into ashes at anytime if the forest fires are not contained.

Interesting

46 per cent of FDI goes to energy sector

Karobar in its anchor says that 46 per cent (the largest share) of the FDI commitment received during the first eight months of the current fiscal is for the energy sector. The report quotes a Department of Industry official as saying that of the Rs 190 billion FDI commitment received so far, Rs 87.56 billion is for the energy sector.

CIAA begins polygraph tests

Karobar, in its single-column story, says that the country’s anti-corruption watchdog CIAA has started using the polygraph test when recording statement from people accused of corruption. The report says that MP Lharkyal Lama was the first person to give a polygraph test.