Short Introduction to the Program:
A district level seminar
on MRE was organised in Narayangarh on 13 Bhadra 2062. Ghanashyam
Kandel, NCBL Chitwan district facilitator, initiated the program through
brief information on the issue and seeking the opinion of the participant
to further the program in the district. Chief District Officer Narendra
Raj Paudel was the chief guest. Other invitees included Govinda Niraula,
Superintendent of Police District Police Office; Shyamji Atithi, District
Education Officer; Ram Hari Kandel, district chairperson of Rastriya
Prajatantra Party; Krishna Khanal, District under-secretary of CPN-UML;
and Ganesh Paudel, Nepali Congress (Democratic) district representative
were also present in the program.
Similarly, Gyanshali Neupane
from Nepal Red Cross Society, district branch; Hari Acharya of Teachers’
Union; Ram Prasad Neupane of District NGO Coordination Committee;
Hem Raj Sharma of PABSON; Uttam Adhikari, ANNFSU district president;
Dilli Ghimire, principal Siddartha English Boarding School; Prem Rimal,
Principal Daisy Boarding School; lawyer Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel and
reporters of Kalika FM, Synergy FM, Classified National daily, Chitwan
Post, Pardarshi and Kantipur daily also took part in the seminar.
Mine Problem in the District:
The Maoists use more mines than
the security forces in this district. Though targeted at the security
personnel, such mines have caused injury to the common people. We
need to know whether landmines are detonated with contact or with
button, timing and remote control. In the context of Nepal, the rebels
started using landmines since 1996 following the declaration of ‘People’s
War’ on 13 February of the same year.
Some Maoists have also fallen
victims to the explosives they were carrying with. The security forces
also use mine in and around security positions. Such mines have not
caused much damage yet. Common people and the security personnel have
been falling victim to mines and there is not much awareness among
general public of mines.
Since it is a new issue, we should
raise public awareness and exert pressure on the rebels to stop its
use. Awareness of landmines at school level has become highly imperative
and its use need to be stopped by transforming the conflict. The Maoists
in the name of ‘People’s Education’ have being using
A for ambush, B for bomb and C for comrade. We should also pay attention
towards such trend in time.
Response to MRE:
As landmine remains active under the ground for years and can cause
damage to lives and property even after decades of plantation, we
need to make school students and the civil society aware of its risks.
We need to know whether landmines
are detonated with contact or with button, timing and remote control.
Since it is a new issue, we should raise public awareness and exert
pressure on the rebels to stop its use. All will lend their support
for district level program. There is a need for explaining in detail
the utility and risks associated with landmine. This issue should
be thoroughly discussed. Let’s not go to the technicality of
landmine rather to finding ways of reducing its risks and resolving
the problem. It took me 10 years to learn to use it as I am in the
police. Civilians are not allowed to use it. We need focus on its
risks.
This program is very useful and
it should be launched at school level. We all principals are ready
to welcome and support this program. The media and the civil society
should express their views on it. Silence needs to be broken soon.
The parties to conflict should also abide by the international covenants.
In a district like Chitwan where there are hundreds of schools, launching
this program only in 15 schools would not produce desired result.
The program should be continued.
We are ready to support. Political solution is the best remedy. It
is some what similar to humanitarian works of the Red Cross. It would
be better to launch the program through the media. Won’t it
be premature to launch in schools now? After taking part in this program,
we came to know that we should not touch, move, tread or play with
strange objects.
Suggestions on Future Programs:
Needs to be launched in schools
massively. This issue should be discussed among the political parties
and the media people thoroughly and ways should be identified to further
it. It should also reach rural bloc improvement committees. It should
be disseminated effectively through the print and electronic media.
The state should be more responsible for not to use it.
Similarly, pressure should be
given by all to the rebels to stop using landmines. Hoarding boards
with precautionary messages should be used. Literature on safety measures
should be distributed in the villages. It can be stopped if collective
efforts are made to establish peace in general. Leaflets and posters
should be distributed in schools and since it use is emanated from
politics, political solution would be the best answer to resolve this
problem.
Suggestions on School Program:
