The Hindu : Front Page : Nepal recalls 12 Ambassadors

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 08, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Nepal recalls 12 Ambassadors

Ameet Dhakal

Pro-democracy movement toll 21

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Government on Sunday recalled 12 Ambassadors, including the envoy to India, and dismissed all political appointees to various state organs and public enterprises made after October 4, 2002, following the sacking of the elected Prime Minister by the King.

Royal Nepalese Ambassadors to New Delhi, Karna Dhoj Adhikari, and to Beijing, Narendra Raj Pandy, are among the 12 Ambassadors who will be leaving soon for Kathmandu. The Ambassadors to the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Pakistan, Russia and Myanmar are also among the envoys who will be returning home. Among the recalled envoys, three are former army generals. Most of these Ambassadors were appointed after King Gyanendra's royal coup on February 1, 2005.

Dozens of top executives from various public enterprises and state bodies, who were appointed after October 4, 2002, will also have to leave their job. But the exact number is not available yet.

The move is seen as the new Government's first attempt to assert itself to consolidate power. The Government of Seven Party Alliance, led by veteran politician Girija Prasad Koirala, came to power two weeks ago after the King bowed down before a popular pro-democracy movement that brought million of people to the street nationwide. The Government is soon expected to turn the heat on the security forces, which is widely accused of unleashing terror on peaceful protesters during the people's movement.

Two more die

Meanwhile, two more protesters, injured during the movement, died on Sunday at city hospitals, taking the pro-democracy movement's toll to 21.

Anil Lama and Chandra Bayalkoti, who were injured during police actions in Kathmandu, died at the Nepal Medical College and the Nepal Medical Hospital.

Lama, 42, who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, was declared dead late in the evening on Saturday, according to the hospital sources. Likewise, 35-year-old Bayalkoti, who was hit by a teargas canister in the chest, died at midnight on Saturday.

Lama was a Nepali Congress activist, while Bayalkoti was affiliated to the CPN-UML, according to the parties.

Following the deaths, the Cabinet meeting on Sunday decided to pay special attention to the treatment of the injured during the movement. Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said the Government would even take the injured abroad for treatment, if need be.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section