NCBL Press Release

11 September 2003

Kathmandu, September 11

There has been increase in violent activities and explosions following the breakdown of cease-fire between the government and the Maoists in the country. This has terrorized the entire people. In course of the violent activities, the Maoists have planted mines in school premises and a 12-year-old innocent student was killed in such an explosion in Kathmandu recently. Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NCBL) expresses its profound sorrow over the incident and appeals the Maoists not to repeat such irresponsible activity in the future.

Landmine is a indiscriminatory lethal weapon. There should be a complete ban on the production, transfer, stockpiling and use of landmines. Nepal has not signed the Ottawa Treaty on complete ban on landmines yet. We request the government to participate in the Fifth Meeting of State Party being held in Bangkok, Thailand from September 15 to 19 and to sign the treaty.

Representing the civil society, Purna Shova Chitrakar and Ram Sharan Sedhai from NCBL, two landmine victims Hari Jung Shah and Bhagawati Gautam, and Prabin Chitrakar from RAISING THE VOICE (Landmine Survivors Network) and Shirish Pandey from YOUTH FOR PEACE are participating in the meeting.

We strongly urge the government and the Maoists to end violence and re-initiate peace talks, not to use landmines and to sign the mine ban treaty. We also appeal both the government and the Maoists not to resort to violent activities during Dashain and Tihar, two greatest festivals of the entire Nepalese.

Purna Shova Chitrakar
Coordinator