Monday, April 24, 2006


14 died, 5,000 were injured

In the last 18 days of protest against king's direct rule, At least 14 people have died, 5,000 were injured and four remain missing . Almost two-dozens have been physically disabled while eight have permanently lost their vision.

Eyewitnesses said they saw injured protesters being picked up and ferried away in military vans.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said that security personnel have been found using excessive force without prior warning, to control peaceful and unarmed demonstrations of the seven-party alliance.

A press statement issued by the NHRC said, "NHRC has recommended to the government to immediately stop excessive use of teargas, baton charging and even firing bullets without prior warning, while controlling unarmed and peaceful demonstrations."

The national rights watchdog wrote a letter to this effect to the Office of the Prime Minister on Sunday, after it found abuse of human rights by security forces in the name of controlling pro-democracy demonstrations.The NHRC expressed deep concern over the authorities’ failure to develop a mechanism to allow ambulances, health workers, media and human rights organizations to move around.

NHRC has also asked the government to immediately release all detainees arrested in the course of the ongoing pro-democracy movement of the country.

The national human rights watchdog has also appealed to the seven-party alliance to arrange for transportation of necessary goods like medicines, foods and fuel as the general strike has made people's life difficult.

Main while , Nepalese Govenment is breaking rules of international law by useing helicopters to mobilized for aerial surveillance on demonstrations . The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) used helicopters in Kathmandu valley to keep surveillance over peaceful demonstrations and to direct ground troops. In many instances, protesters have complained that security forces on the ground opened unprovoked fire immediately after choppers were seen circling above.

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