Nepal

Nepal: Political Crisis Follows PM’s Resignation

Date: May 6th, 2009 |

Nepal fell into a political crisis when Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the former Maoist guerrilla leader, resigned to protest the president’s refusal to fire the army chief. Dahal wanted the army head fired because he refused to integrate Maoist rebels into the army. Dahal’s resignation caused the government to fall, and the president set [read more]

Nepal: Terai Strike Ends, Autonomy To Be Granted

Date: March 6th, 2008 |

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A strike in the lowland Terai area bordering India that was squeezing off the fuel supply to Kathmandu and causing power shortages came to an end Feb. 28 when the government signed an agreement to establish an autonomous province for the Madhesi people. This action represents a step into the future for Nepal and [read more]

Nepal: Maoists Pull Out of Government, Troubles in Terai

Date: September 19th, 2007 |

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Maoists pulled out of the coalition government in a dispute over abolishing the monarchy, raising concerns that the fragile peace in Nepal could be in jeopardy. The former rebels have vowed not to take up arms again but to press their demands through peaceful demonstrations. They have argued that the monarchy should be abolished before [read more]

Nepal: Agreement Between Maoists and Ruling Parties

Date: November 14th, 2006 |

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An agreement between Nepal’s ruling parties and Maoist insurgents that calls for the Maoists to give up their weapons and join an interim government has raised hopes that the violence of the past decade will cease. The interim government is to be formed by Dec. 1 and a constituent assembly is due to be elected [read more]

Nepal: King Gives In to Protesters, Restores Parliament, Demonstrations Called Off

Date: April 25th, 2006 |

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In the face of escalating violent protests, the king gave in to the people’s demands and reinstated parliament, paving the way for a coalition of political parties to take control of the government, set up special elections for an assembly to rewrite the constitution, and possibly leave the king powerless. It is too early to [read more]

Nepal: Power Shortages Could Create Long Winter

Date: November 20th, 2008 |

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The coming winter could feel longer than usual for Nepal because daily power outages could stretch to as long as 14 hours compared to the five hours the country currently experiences. Floods in the southeast washed away power lines that brought electricity from India and according to a government official, they cannot be repaired before [read more]

Nepal: Maoists Resume Collecting “Donations” from Foreigners

Date: October 11th, 2007 |

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A Maoist leader assured a delegation of tour operators that Maoists will not harm tourists during strikes or protests, and will not hamper their movement, but two days later the Kathmandu Post reported that Maoists have resumed collecting money from trekkers and mountaineers in the Myagdi district, which includes Mount Dhaulagiri. The practice of demanding [read more]

Nepal: Tourists Returning

Date: January 18th, 2007 |

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Tourism is rebounding amid optimism that peace with the Maoists will hold now that the insurgents are part of the interim parliament. Visitor numbers are up in Pokhara in advance of the spring trekking season, and U.N. officials are just beginning the task of monitoring Maoist weapons and registering their fighters. How quickly and successfully [read more]

Nepal: Maoists Still Extorting Trekkers

Date: September 12th, 2006 |

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According to officials of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal, Maoists continue to extort money from tourists in many trekking areas despite agreements not to do so since the king was stripped of power and a political transition is in progress. The Maoists are charging foreigners 100 euros ($127) and also sometimes charging trekking guides, [read more]

Nepal: Political Crisis Deepens

Date: April 18th, 2006 |

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The political crisis between the king and a coalition of opposition parties and Maoists is growing more dangerous. Police fired on demonstrators in Chandragadi, some 310 miles southeast of Kathmandu, on April 19, killing four. In Kathmandu, authorities imposed an 18-hour curfew in and around Kathmandu April 20 in an effort to stop a massive [read more]