Short Introduction to the Program:
Nepal Campaign to Ban
Landmines (NCBL) organised a seminar on Mine Risk Education (MRE)
in Lalitpur on 32 Shrawan 2062. Purushottam Acharya, NCBL facilitator,
chaired the program in which Chief District Officer of Lalitpur Sthaneshwar
Devkota participated as a chief guest. The seminar was participated
in by 60 representatives from security agencies, political parties,
teachers, government and non-government organisations and the civil
society organisations.
Ashok Kumar Thakuri, district president of ANNFSU; Yadav Paudel, district
president of Reiukei; Krishna Thapa, chief of Baal Aawaj; Sudarshan
Dhakal, Local Development Officer; Raj Kumar Thapa, representative
of civil society; Ram Sharan Basnet, ANNFSU central member; and Bharat
Prasad Badal, Director of Kids’ Kind Education Foundation spoke
on the occasion. Tribeni Chaubang, NCBL Nuwakot district facilitator,
was also present.
Mine Problem in the District:
Chief District Officer
Devkota claimed that the rebels have been using mines more than the
security forces, but he also said that whosoever use mines, non-combatants
must not be victimised. He also said that due to the recklessness
of the rebels they left behind a bomb and a seven-year-old Bhavana
Sanjel from Ikudole died when the bomb she played with went off. Similarly,
the random firing opened by the security forces killed Laxmi Tamang,
a civilian, at Burungchuli.
Response to MRE:
…..said that non-combatants
have been falling victims to landmines due to lack of awareness and
not adopting precautionary measures. Therefore, a massive awareness
campaign on landmine risk needs to be launched, …said adding,
that the entire nation is reeling under the scourge of landmine. ….also
said that the government itself should introduce such program at schools.
Suggestions on Future Programs:
As conflict has claimed
the lives of many common people, such program should be launched in
the rural areas of Nepal. People need to actively participate in the
movement for restoring democratic process and restoration of democracy
can resolve the ongoing conflict. There should be a ban on landmines.
The program should be launched in conflict affected areas massively.
At least one awareness raising program in a month should be launched
in schools.
Suggestions on School Program:
