Short Introduction to the Program:
A seminar on “Use of Landmine,
its Risks and Mitigation” was organised at Hotel Samjhana in
Birgunj on 8 Ashwin 2062. Deepak Regmi, an NCBL facilitator for Makawanpur
district, emceed this program. Thirty-two representatives of various
organisations, administrators, journalists and mine victim children
were also present on the occasion. The program was chaired by Manoj
Chaudhary, NCBL Parsa District facilitator.
Also present on the occasion
were Panna Lal Gupta, chairperson Nepal Bar Association Parsa Unit;
Shatrughna Nepal, president Federation of Nepalese Journalists Parsa;
Pralhad Giri, representative of samaj Party; Nijamujin Samani president
of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Aanandi Devi) Parsa; ……Krishna
Prasad Bastakoti; Chandra Kishore Jha central Member of National Union
of Journalists; Yuba Raj Khadka secretary of Nepal Press Union Parsa;
KC Lamichhane and coordinator of Press Cahutari Parsa including others
expressed the views that the use of landmine was growing in Nepal
resulting in a great loss to lives and property. They also said that
NCBL was an appropriate organisation to help build collective efforts
to stop the use of landmine in Nepal.
Mine Problem in the District:
Where there is conflict there
is landmine. The use of this lethal weapon kills, maims and injures
common people and the combatants, the targeted ones. … Rana
said that in course of attacking each other, the common people have
victimised. Ramu Lalbabu Mahato, a landmine victim of Vishwa ward
no. 18, was the chief guest of the seminar.
Response to MRE:
All the participants stressed
on the need of making the country mine-free. Superintendent of Police
Bir Bahadur Rana said that landmine is highly used there where conflict
takes place. He said that landmine is used for offensive and defensive
purposes by the parties to conflict, but it affects the common people
most. Therefore, the use of landmine should be banned, he added. Nagendra
Chaudhary of CPN-UML urged the parties to the conflict not to use
landmine in keeping with the suffering and pain of children as it
was affecting the children most. Other speakers expressed the views
that as the use of landmine is ever increasing, it has caused a considerable
damage to lives, property and natural resources. Every one should
make utmost efforts to stop its use and NCBL is an appropriate organisation
to collaborate with, they added.
Suggestions on Future Programs:
Instead of confining it to the
school level, this program should be launched in the villages and
affected areas of the country. In order to reduce the risk of landmines,
this program should cover schools, political parties, intellectuals
and the media. It would be better if massive publicity through hoarding
boards and the media could be generated.
Suggestions on School Program:
