Short Introduction to the Program:

The Mine Risk Education program initiated by NCBL has also been launched in Makawanpur district. The nation is passing through a serious crisis now and the growing use of explosives by the state and the rebels has victimised innocent non-combatant people every day. Landmine has caused a huge human and physical loss. Keeping this in mind, NCBL with an objective of putting pressure on the state and non-state actor not to use landmines and such explosives organised a district level daylong seminar in this district as well.

Representatives of political parties, government and non-government organisations, human rights activists, lawyers, industrialists, transport entrepreneurs, teachers, students and civil society took part in the program. The objectives of the program included raising the issues at the local level, give clear information on the issue, inform all the stakeholders about the activities to be conducted in the district, to urge all the stakeholders to put pressure on the concerned parties not to use landmine, to collect reaction from the community on MRE and to make public the damage caused by landmine to lives and property in Nepal and to publicise the NCBL publications.

In order to achieve the said objective, a district level seminar was organised in Hetauda, the district headquarters of Makawanpur on 9 Bhadra 2062. The seminar was participated in by the representatives of security office chiefs, administrative chiefs, journalists, political parties, government and non-government organisations, human rights activists, lawyers, industrialists, transport entrepreneurs, teachers, students and civil society. To organise a district level seminar that too on a sensitive issue like landmine is not an easy task.

Pre-information given to all invitees and visual information on mine risk being telecast on Nepal Television helped a lot to move the seminar forward. Apart from the security personnel, 45 people participated in the event. Shiva Bahadur Koirala, chairperson of Makawanpur Citizen’s Concern Forum, presided at the program. Chandra Lal Paudel, NCBL Bara facilitator, delivered welcome speech and Deepak Regmi, NCBL facilitator of Makawanpur emceed the event.

Deepak Regmi said that those who have no concern at all with conflict have also fallen victim to landmine. Besides, men, women and children animals have also been killed in mine explosions, he added. He also shed light on the data of Makawanpur and the national data of landmine-related incidents occurred in 2005 on the occasion. Introducing NCBL to the participants, he also spoke on the activities of the organisation and the Ottawa Convention. Others also spoke on the occasion.

Mine Problem in the District:

Innocent children and even animals have been victimised by landmine in the district. Industrialists are also suffering from explosions. The mines planted by the rebels targeting the security personnel have caused huge damage to hundreds of means of transport. Even the hotel industry is affected by explosives.

Response to MRE:

This is the first program of its kind and it would be very useful for the people of this district. As Nepal Red Cross and International Committee of the Red Cross can reach even to the mine affected areas now, they can collaborate and coordinate with NCBL and launch this program in villages. We should be clear in our role, Red Cross will extend best possible support. The programs of the Red Cross and NCBL are inter-related. The program has taken up a very serious issue. It is in the interest of the civil society.

Achievements:

Such programs should also be launched in the villages and in the Maoist affected areas. “We are ready to provide all administrative support to run such a social work. I would like to request you to provide us with more publicity materials as many people come to our office from different parts in course of their work. We want to distribute them.”

I would like to thank NCBL for selecting 15 campuses and school for the program and request to launch such an awareness raising program in all the schools of the district. It would be better to provide at least a day’s training to all the officials of school management committees and principals of schools. I would also like to express my commitments to help organise training for staff, principals and employees at resource centres.

The program carried out by NCBL at a time when schools are used by the parties to conflict is commendable. This program has made us think what sorts of people come to hotel and whether they leave behind any when they go away. This program is also necessary for those who work in hotels. Hotel Association will also assist in organising such program. We are ready to help this organisation to hold such program. The state needs to help and encourage such organisations. There a large number of disabled people in Vietnam and Cambodia now and Nepal could also become like them. NCBL has been working to stop Nepal heading towards that situation.

The state and the Maoists should abide by international laws. Unless the war is ended, these efforts will not bear fruits. Therefore, the conflict should be resolved through the UN Mediation. However, this program is effective for precautionary measures. The security forces should also provide the information on mine plantation to the common people. We should also request the rebels to be aware of minimising the risk to the civilians. The attendance of all sectors’ representatives shows the importance of the program.

Suggestions on Future Programs:

It would be effective if at least one teacher, preferably female teacher, from each school can be given training in it. This program should also encompass the guardians in the villages. It would also be desirable to provide the training to drivers of passenger vehicles and goods carriers and other staff in order to minimise the risks of landmine. The 114 bloc improvement committees of Hetauda Municipality are ready to collaborate with NCBL for this purpose.

Moreover, it would also be better if NCBL provides its publicity materials and training to ward secretaries and city police. If NCBL wants to collaborate with the DDC, we are ready to make all the 43 VDC secretaries and representatives of users’ groups available. Both the state and the Maoists should be responsible. As children suffer the most from the scourge of mine, they should be instructed to immediately inform the security forces if they see something strange. And the government should also establish mine disposal teams in the affected areas.

As mines are indiscriminate weapons and can thus victimise any person, all should put pressure on the Maoists to stop the use of mines. The media is always committed to help reducing the risk of mines. Experts should be invited to talk shows on landmines on radio and television stations. It would be more effective if collaboration is made with NGOs. Urging to forge an alliance with all political parties, government and non-government offices and students’ organisations as they reach the door steps of the people, he added that his party was ready to cooperate.

Civil society, political parties and international community need to put pressure on the state and the Maoists to sign the Ottawa Convention. Programs on FM stations and street drams can help a lot. The Geneva Convention requires the users of mines to clearly mark the mine planted areas. This helps in reducing the risks. I heartily thank NCBL for initiating such a program.

As the personnel of Royal Nepalese Army reach the every nook and corner of the country in course of their search and operation, they could distribute the publicity materials to the villagers if they provided with them. We are ready to help in giving training to principals and employees of resource centres. We will provide maximum support to NCBL. We all should create pressure to stop the violence as soon as possible.

Suggestions on School Program:

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