Short Introduction to the Program:
A district level interaction
program on Mine Risk Education (MRE) was organised by Nepal Campaign
to Ban Landmines (NCBL) in Pokhara on 17 Bhadra 2062. Krishna Bahadur
Nepali, member of Mukti Samaj, chaired the program in which Ram Bahadur
Bishwokarma, a mine victim, was the chief guest. A total of 45 representatives
from local security agencies, PABSON, N-PABSON<, teachers’
union, transport workers and entrepreneurs, students’ organisations,
political parties, human rights organisations, CIWIN, INSEC, and journalists
took part in the program emceed by Hom Bahadur Nepali, NCBL representative.
Mine Problem in the District:
A large number of people are
affected by mines. Schools are mostly affected. Common people are
falling victim to the explosives and landmines being used by the state
and non-state actors. As the parties to conflict use such explosives,
their prevalence is higher in conflict affected areas. Transport labourers
and transport entrepreneurs and common people are suffering from explosives.
Various types of explosives are laid in the roads, which has affected
a huge number of Nepalese people. This must be stopped and eradicated
by nay means.
The parties to conflict have
deprived the children and the citizens of their rights. A large number
of children and citizens have fallen victims to it. Many people’s
bodies have been mutilated due to landmines. It seems that those who
carry it are unaware of the consequences it brings. May not landmines
be used in public places. The security forces are not proactive to
defuse the landmines planted in roads. The security agencies should
think of it.
Response to MRE:
May both parties to
conflict stop victimising people. Therefore, this MRE should be launched
in all the villages throughout Nepal. Such program can play an important
role in discouraging the use of landmines, raising awareness among
the conflicting parties not to use explosives in peace zones and exerting
pressures on them to abide by the Geneva Convention. If this happens,
the use of landmines automatically goes down.
The state is also suffering from
it. But it has to think before using such lethal and indiscriminate
weapon in the name of self defence. The level of awareness should
be raised in order to reduce the use of landmines. It seems that those
who carry it are unaware of the consequences it brings. Therefore,
this program should be launched nation-wide. Both parties should stop
fighting. But the state needs to be more responsible. Detailed information
on landmines should be given in order to make this program more effective.
Suggestions on Future Programs:
This program should be launched for the common mass. It should be
a nation-wide campaign. People of all walks of life should be serious
and make efforts for resolving the conflict. It should be eradicated
by any means. All children and schools are zone of peace. The security
agencies should be more responsible in order to relieve all the students
from its scourge. It is necessary to minimise the use of landmines.
Landmines should not be used in public places. War should not afflict
the non-combatants. It is necessary to abide by the Geneva Convention.
Lasting peace is inevitable. This program should be launched nation-wide.
Both parties should stop fighting. The state needs to be more responsible.
May not landmines be used in public places. Publicity for all sectors
is required. All sectors should be declared zone of peace.
Suggestions on School Program:
