Short Introduction to the Program:
Nepal Campaign to Ban
Landmine (NCBL) has launched Mine Risk Education (MRE) in 25 districts
of Nepal and Bara is one of them. The MRE has been introduced in 15
high schools of this district. Besides, this program, NCBL organised
a day-long seminar on MRE at the District Chamber of Industry and
Commerce on 19 Bhadra 2062 encompassing representatives from various
political parties, security agencies, human rights activists, teachers’
union, principals of schools and students’ unions. Hamro Samaj
Abhiyan Nepal had lent support to the program.
Mine Problem in the District:
The parties to the ongoing
violent conflict have been using landmines. It has been use more by
the rebels than the security forces. Consequently, more casualties
are caused by the rebels’ use of the lethal weapon. This is
a wrong way of fighting. Mines have caused more damage to the non-combatants
than the targeted groups. There are instances of common people falling
victims to the ambush and mine laid by the Maoists targeting the security
personnel.
“The Royal Nepalese Army for the defensive purpose has planted
mines around security positions. As soon as the common people notice
mine, they should inform the security personnel. The security forces
hardly use mines. The Maoists often use them. The rebels plant mines
in paths, entrances, public places, water taps and use them in objects
like boxes, key boxes, cordless phone sets, mobile phone sets, watches
and in any other tempting goods, targeting the security personnel.
They also lay mine at possible battle fields, resting places of armed
forces, around security camps and bus parks. Though people call ambush
a landmine, ambush itself is not an explosive. It is a technique to
detonate booby trap clandestinely targeting the enemies.”
“The road to Kalaiya was
blocked for some time. After some days of wait and watch, passers-by
began to take the road. We also passed through the road for four or
five times. One day, we were walking on the road. Mohan Shah was ahead
of me. We could not see the bomb planted in the ground from a distance.
We thought that the bomb might have gone deactivate. Mohan Shah happened
to tread on it. It went off killing him instantly and injuring me.
I request all not to use such explosives. You also give pressure for
the same.”
Bara district is highly affected
by landmine. It is evident from the incident that common people are
also in risk in which Achchelal and the pilgrims to Gadhimai fell
victim to such explosives. Mostly teachers and students are affected
by landmines. It has caused a considerable loss to commerce and industry.
The conflict has mostly affected educational institutions, teachers,
students and study. In order to make the global calls “Education
for All” and “Children as Zone of Peace” a success,
the warring parties must pay an attention to it.
Response to MRE:
We would like to thank
NCBL for initiating this program. This is a very important program.
Such program should reach all the teachers, students and the communities.
I would like to wish the success of the program. As there are many
rough roads in Bara district, the likelihood of mine use is higher.
The security forces will fully support this program. The working paper
has not incorporated the loss caused by a bomb blast to industries,
buildings and land. Kalaiya Chamber of Commerce and Industry is ready
to collaborate with NCBL for minimising the risks of landmine. I also
request NCBL to launch this mine awareness program throughout the
district.
Suggestions on Future Programs:
Instead of 15 schools, this program
should be launched in all the primary, lower secondary, secondary,
higher secondary schools and campuses and in every nook and corner
of the villages. We should request human rights organisations and
non-government organisations to put pressure on the Maoists not to
use landmines and awareness should be raised through the mass media.
The common people should inform
the security personnel as soon as we see mines. If the traders sell
GI pipes and sockets only to recommended people, its misuse can be
minimised. We can form networks for raising public awareness for minimising
the risks of mines. We should give pressure to the state to sing the
Ottawa Convention and urge the I/NGOs operating at district level
to incorporate this issue in their program. And we should push this
forward actively. Textbooks should be made available to all educational
institutions and villages.
NCBL has to exert pressure on
the government to get it sign the Ottawa Convention. In order to make
the global calls “Education for All” and “Children
as Zone of Peace” a success, the warring parties must pay an
attention to it. The government agencies and the non-state actor should
collaborate with NCBL to run MRE training. The government needs to
formulate policies in order to ban the use of landmine. Who takes
care of those children whose parents are killed in mine explosions?
The state should include MRE in its curricula. If teachers are trained
in MRE, it would be very useful.
Suggestions on School Program:
