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Nepal: Gaur Massacre

Paramendra — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:58:59 +0000

The unthinkable happened on March 21 in Gaur in the central Terai plains. Two political groups clashed, and violence followed. 29 were dead, more than 40 injured. This incident has shaken Nepal.

Democracy For Nepal condemns the violence but it also takes the Maoists to task for disrupting the MPRF mass meetings earlier in Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj. They have issued a a press statement alongside ANTA, Association of Nepali Teraian in America. DFN concludes by saying Best Option For All: Elections In June.

The Terai now has half of all elected seats, after the Gaur incident the Home Minister's resignation issue has switched to becoming a Maoist issue and is no longer a MPRF issue, and Om Gurung's recent hostile interview to Kantipur shows there really is no Madhesi Janajati alliance, so sticking to the completely proportional elections to the constituent assembly for the sake of the Janajatis is no longer valid for the Madhesi Movement.

United We Blog has published an interview with a human rights activists that claims professional criminals were involved in the killings. A Bihar nexus is suggested. The post has photographs of shrouded bodies and links to youtube videos.

Maoists say they didn’t start the Gaur fighting (and a team of human rights activists have concluded that the massacre was perpetrated by the professional criminals), they didn’t fire bullets. Instead, Maoists are demanding that the government should take action against the attackers. Expressing the commitment to the peace process Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, the second in command in the Maoist party, said that such incident would not obstruct the peace process.

INSN has a news update. Madhesi - United We Stand has plentiful coverage.
Nepal - Lessons from Gaur Incident

Over the last several months, these YCL cadres are employed to occupy the houses of various so called landlords and royalists who are blacklisted by the Maoists party, kidnapping the people, forcefully collecting the donations, extorting money, vandalizing the opponents and most importantly confronting with other political parties. Their main targets various Madhesi organizations that are raising their voice for Madheshi freedom.

Nepali Perspectives says US ambassador Moriarty has been proven right that the Maoists have not transformed much.

Nepal: Madhesh Is Burning

Paramendra — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 09:06:10 +0000

Madhesh is the southern plains of Nepal where half of the country lives. Madhesi are the people of Nepal, roughly half of the country. The Madhesi have been discriminated against for centuries. Now they are in a revolt that feels like the second part of the world shaking April Revolution.

For over a week now, the Madhesh has been in the limelight. It has been shut down. Daily curfews have been imposed in all the major towns of the Madhesh. This phase of the struggle was launched by the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF). For years the MJF was a small outfit. It has seen a rapid rise of popularity through this peaceful movement, and seems to be on its way to becoming a political party.

Nepali bloggers have been reporting on it depending on if they are Pahadi, the Nepali from the hills, or Madhesi. Pahadi bloggers seem to be expressing their bias and might be underreporting some aspects. This becomes even more interesting given that the government propaganda declares that this is not a social justice movement but rather an instigation of the royalists and the Hindu supremacists.

Madhesi - United We Stand has posts on various aspects of the movement. From a post titled Madhesi Murmurings.

If Madhesh was part of Nepal, then why Madheshis have not been given any chance to prove their patriotism in Nepali Army, the most patriotic institution of the country? As noted by a former Nepalese PM, Madheshis were not suited for army because Madheshis are not healthy and fit. If this argument stands true, Madhesh (said to be rice bowl) are facing “hidden hunger” (intakes of nutrition deficit diet) and need nutrition and health care from Nepal Government.

Global mainstream media also so far has stayed away from the movement. The MSM was all over the April Revolution. It was on TV in New York City, it was on the front page of the New York Times for days. However, Global MSM seems to buy into the image that Nepal is only hills and mountains, or it would be paying much more attention right now.

DFN aspires to be more a political tool than a blog. (The blog is also now accessed from a new domain name: Madhesi.net). DFN asks a crucial question which hopes to explore the attitude of the Pahadis, and if the Madhesi movement is somewhat like the movement for democracy in April 2006.

United We Blog also covers the issue. Some excellent photographs of the protests, giving a rare glimpse into the turmoil that Madesh finds itself in. A very intense discussion in the comments space for this post, as people discuss the curfew imposed in the area.

Mero Sansar, (in Nepali) covers the issue from what maybe construed as a slightly biased position. Parivartan Nepal has a post that sums up the situation.

The primary thrust of the Madhesi movement is simple to understand. They want to get rid of the past political arrangements based on the principles and practices of internal colonization. Now, they want Madhesi autonomous governance mechanism, federal system and proportional representation including in the election of the constituent assembly. Simply, they are asking for equitable power sharing.

Counterpoint takes a look at neighbouring India to make a point about federalism.

This comparsion clearly shows that federalism would be viable only when it is based on notions of democracy and equal opportunity. Today, we can see many north Indians working in South India and many south Indians working in North India. With autonomy, people have their own identity and this has put a stop to unnecessary wranglings over one’s political rights.

Ajay Dhakal expresses concern, as does Blogger Nepal. Counterpoint has an article by a student leader Gagan Thapa on the issue. (All these are links to blogs in Nepali.)

Nepal: Peace In Limbo

Paramendra — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 20:51:37 +0000

The seven party alliance and the Maoists were to meet for their summit talks some time in September, but it did not happen. Prime Minister Girija Koirala asked for some extra time. Now the decisive talks are supposed to take place on October 8. Both sides have been posturing. The Maoists supremo Prachanda has vowed to lead street protests in the capital city with the goal of taking over state power if the peace talks fail. Koirala keeps hammering the point that the Maoists must disarm before the political issues can be resolved.

United We Blog has this: Update on Peace Process: Today’s Political Developments:

“….. there are very few reasons to be hopeful about SPA coming in one voice regarding the most crucial issue: the monarchy. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is hell bent on giving space to monarchy, that is, saving the institution that the popular and historic April uprising clearly wanted to be abolished…… possible stand on interim constitution, formation of interim parliament and interim government, and to which extent the government and the party can be flexible in the talks with the Maoists……both sides gave thoughts on managing armies of both sides in three steps: First, both armies will be confined on barracks, second, verification and separation of Maoists armies from weapons and, third, integration of Maoist armies into Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Development Army.”

Samudaya has an audio transcript of an interview of the Maoist leaders Baburam Bhattarai.

Democracy For Nepal has been hard on both sides, but primarily on the seven party alliance for not having clarity of thought: Pramukh Dar, Don't Drag Your Feet: Not A Chicken Egg Situation, Interim Parliament: 300 Sounds Fine. It also reports on when the Deputy Prime Minister KP Oli was in New York City: The KP Oli Event. There are extensive video clips.

Madhesi: United We Stand has an article from Bindu Chaudhary about one of the most marginalized groups in the country, the Madhesi: Discrimination: Until When?

About 90 percent of the Terai districts, where 95.5 percent of the total Madheshi people live, have a large number of educationally deprived populations (compared to only about 13 percent in hills and mountains). Again, 50 percent of the Terai districts have ‘worst ranking’ for child literacy rates (compared to 29 percent in hills and mountain districts). Geographically, about 45 percent of the 20 Terai districts have the worst poverty ranking (as compared to 29 percent in hills and mountains). Also, 50 percent of Terai districts have ‘worst’ per capita budget allocation index (compared to about 17 percent of the hill districts). As if this was not enough, only 11.2 percent of Madheshi people are in the integrated index of governance with none in culture, academic and professional leadership. There is an undeclared ban on their recruitment in the Nepali Army, and they are in insignificant number in Nepal police.

Blogdai has a rare reprimand for the king: Hey King: You Blew it!

Nepal: Another Round Of Talks

Paramendra — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 22:49:23 +0000

The Nepali blogosphere is agog on the impending talks between the Maoists and the seven party alliance.

United We Blog has a few stories: Maoists Quibble Over Returning Seized Property, Nepal Peace Process: All Eyes On Friday High Level Meeting, Spring Thunder In Nepal…Glorious But Inconclusive-II, Nepal Budget: A Few Numbers and Maoist Disagreement, Independent Army (Nepal Army Behaves Like Parallel Government), Nepali Village Story: Maoist Lock House, Parents Kicked Out, Son Leaves Army Job.

“Dari katera aayeko dekhda pharkelan jasto lagdaina” [Seeing them coming clean shaven, I feel that they will not return back to Jungle.] …. a boy named Aasish threw those remarks which I remember every time I see clean shaved Maoist leaders Prachanda, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Krishna Bahadur Mahara.

INSN has posted two interviews with Dr. Baburam Bhattarai from other sources. Bhattarai is one of the top two Maoist leaders.

We wanted full democracy to be enjoyed by the vast majority of the people; basically the downtrodden poor people, women, Dalit, oppressed nationalities, Madhesis…….. Our ideology is not that dogmatic and rigid. Our ideology is a science, which has to develop according to the demands of the 21st century. As they say, Marxism is not a dogma but a guide to action………Our insurgency or our movement was totally independent and totally homegrown. We did not seek any support – physical or material – from anybody else……… the US makes statements – very unwarranted and disturbing statements – ……. Things have changed but Moriarty seems to be sticking to the old mindset of the Cold War era. ……. Arms will be laid down only after the election of CA. Before that nobody is going to lay down their arms – neither the Nepal Army nor the PLA…….. In every place including South Africa, Latin or Central America or Northern Ireland, none of the conflicting parties have laid down their arms before the final political settlement……… Nepalese economy is already in private hands. Ninety-five percent of economy is in private sector. So, there is no question of privatization, it is already privatized…….. I think within few weeks, we will be able to have interim constitution.

Democracy For Nepal (DFN) has proposals for federalism and an interim constitution. DFN talks of an Interim Monarchy, Interim Army, Interim Parliament and of April Revolution, April Convention.

Both DFN and Samudaya have extensive photos from the ANA Convention, dubbed the largest Nepali event outside of Nepal. Sarahana Shrestha of Samudaya talks of the Indian author Arundhati Roy.

Asking what was the right thing to do in a democracy, in which an armed dissent is crushed by military power and unarmed dissent simply ridiculed and brushed aside, Roy confessed her depleting faith in democracy itself…….. It takes one leader to take a country back by decades.

Madhesi: United We Stand has an article by Dr. Govind Shah on Social Inclusion of Madheshi Community in Nation Building. Reason And Revolution says it is good that the Chinese and the Maoists are finally talking. Random Jottings is concerned about the Nepalis stranded in Lebanon.

There is a news piece on BBC News Online titled “Stranded and scared in the war zone”, which reports the plight of Nepalese stranded in Lebanon and the lack of support for them from the Nepalese consulate there, and the fear of one Nepalese worker, Gopal Ghimire, of dying in a foreign land.

Blogdai is ever so pessimistic of the chances of the peace talks.

The Maoists will break off peacetalks sometime between now and Dashain. Madhav Kumar Nepal will align himself directly with Maoist philosophy. Old man Girija Koirala will die within a year. Sujata Koirala will assume the prime ministership. The current Koirala parliament will never hold an election for anything. Paras, not the King, will go into exile. The RNA will allow Maoists to seize government before they act. James Moriarty will resign as U.S. ambassador within 9 months. India will not act against any Maoist coup attempts, attrocities or actions in Nepal. China will ally with the guns and tacitly support the Maoists. ……. Some fun, eh? blogdai has been batting a little better than average in the prediction department, so look out Nepal, chaos is on the way.

Nepal Moving Towards Peace Talks

Paramendra — Mon, 29 May 2006 20:42:23 +0000

After the victory of the April Revolution, and a major House Proclamation that has seriously curbed the powers of the king and renamed the army from Royal Nepal Army to Nepal Army, and a phase one talk with the Maoists, the seven party alliance government still has a lot of unresolved issues. The pace is felt to have been too slow.

Democracy For Nepal (DFN) asks Who Will Hold The Constituent Assembly Elections.

But just like the Maoists will not part with their soldiers, the seven parties will not part with their parliament. The seven party alliance needs the safety of the House. What that means is trust building measures have to taken.

United We Blog (UWB) talks of frustrations: Slow Politics Adds Frustration in Nepali People.

The fact that Nepal Army’s chief Pyar Jung Thapa giving lectures about the army cooperating with the government by following the latter’s directives is the greatest satire to the achievements of last month’s historic People’s Movement II. Thapa should have been fired a fortnight ago…… Why doesn’t the Tax Office raid the Narayanhitti Royal Palace and do the math of the money that king Gyanendra owes this nation? Who is stopping the cabinet from issuing orders to arrest all those who were involved in suppressing the movement? Things are moving very very slow and this is increasing the level of frustration in people.

Bahas has a piece on the recent talks with the Maoists and the 25 point code of conduct agreed upon. Blogdai also talks of frustrations, but from a different angle. Nepali Notebook has a post on the prime minister's daughter Sujata Koirala.

Sarahana Shrestha at Samudaya has an interesting short story: Strictly Ceremonial. It reads like social sci-fi.

When Pushpa was well into her sixties, and the mistress well into her thirties, citizens of the country had decided to do away with royalty. Most of their inherited wealth was diverted to development funds, though enough was spared to last them a generation if used economically. The master had taken a chance with his share, using part of it to send his two sons to London, and the remaining to invest in a chain of hotels.

Nepal: Democrats, Maoists Gearing For Peace Talks

Paramendra — Wed, 10 May 2006 20:10:44 +0000

After the spectacular success of the April Revolution, the seven party alliance has not moved fast enough for some, but it sure has been moving steady. It has undone many of the king's ordinancnes, it has reciprocated the Maoists' ceasefire, and it is getting ready to hold formal peace talks with the Maoists.

United We Blog has a string of interesting articles on the now surfaced Maoists: The Days Of Maoist Comrades Have Come IV, Meanwhile Maoist Comrades Continue Extortion, Looting and Beating, Conversation Between a Maoist Guerilla and a Soldier, The Days of Maoist Comrades Have Come III, The Maoists As I Know Them, Part 1, The Days of Maoist Comrades Have Come II, The Days of Maoist Comrades Have Come, Maoist Vigil and Protest Against Monarchy.

Samudaya has a string of audio transcripts of some speeches made in Kathmandu: Gagan Thapa, Hari Roka, Ram Kumari Jhankri, Rajendra Rai, Krishna Pahadi. They are in Nepali.

Mero Sansar has one from the Maoist supremo Prachanda himself. It is also in Nepali.

Democracy For Nepal warns of Prachanda's Transitional Republic.

Nepal Revolution: Victory

Paramendra — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 00:17:43 +0000

The April Revolution in Nepal is a landmark in the country's history. People poured out into the streets for 19 days in all towns, villages, cities. The country was totally shut down. And the king caved in. This is a victory for non violence, for democracy.

Democracy For Nepal celebrated the obvious victory, but it is also guarded as to the Maoist response: 18 Days Of April Revolution: Victory, Maoist Reaction To Democratic Victory: Not Right, Declare Constituent Assembly On First Day Of Parliament.

Dinesh Wagle, the founder of United We Blog,was recently in New York City: and was extremely unhappy he had missed the April Revolution.

It appears that a constituent assembly finally feels possible, the Madhesi community needs to work to attain equality for the first time in Nepal: it is a civil rights issue. Madhesi Rights: Total Equality.

United We Blog as always has great on the ground coverage and commentary: Leaders Vow to Preserve People’s Power, Roadmap of New Nepal, King Renounces, All Eyes on SPA, People’s Power.

Nepal Revolution: Showdown

Paramendra — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:32:09 +0000

Over a million people have come out into the streets today, over 15 have been killed, hundreds upon hundreds have been injured, many seriously, by the police, thousands have been arrested, and the king is still nowhere close to seeing the light. He still refuses to see that a constituent assembly can be the only meeting point between him and the seven party alliance.

Democracy For Nepal has long called to sidestep the king and go straight for an interim constitution and a revolutionary parliament.

The one person team of Mero Sansar has some great on ground coverage, but it is in Nepali. But it also has video clips, and photos. This blog might be the one place online with a ton of video clips from the streets although recently Nepal has hit the world headlines, and all major global names in news have been covering Nepal rather extensively.

United We Blog has some of the best reporting. The founder of the blog, Dinesh Wagle, is to arrive in New York City later today. He has been on a month long tour arranged by the US State Department.

Samudaya is more than a website, it is also a network of young activists, several of them in Nepal. One example: Non aligned youth/students express solidarity to freedom. The site also has a great collection of photos from the revolution.

Burnt Taxi, New Baneshwor

Revolution In Nepal: Monarchy On Its Way Out

Paramendra — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 21:54:27 +0000

The movement has turned into a revolution.

Democracy For Nepal has collected many photos from many sources: Protests, Protests, Protests, Protests, Protests.

DFN also has taken a clearly republican line: Zero Tolerance Policy Towards Monarchy, Nepali Congress Or Praja Parishad, Malaria, Polio, Monarchy, Hamro Nepal: Draft Constitution, Interim Constitution, Revolutionary Parliament, Shoot At Sight Order: Dead End For The King.

DFN has also covered two events in New York City and has mentioned a huge rally planned for Friday: Happy New Year 2063, Nepali Mandir, Friday Rally. There are video clips and photos from the two events.

Samudaya has taken the lead on fundraising among the diaspora for emergency medical services in response to the Gongabu massacre. The site also has an audio interview with the famous student leader Gagan Thapa out in the streets of Kathmandu. There are extensive photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Nepal Movement, Day 3: Shoot At Sight Order

Paramendra — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 16:34:52 +0000

The king of Nepal keeps pushing himself into a tighter corner. He has taken the penultimate step. He has imposed daytime curfew for two days in a row. But it is clear the movement has now become a revolution.

United We Blog has stories of interest including one where the lead blogger himself takes part in the “revolution.” General Strike Day III Updates.

Since the curfew is on around, I am, as many others, passing time by watching television. Television news has become the source of information on what’s happening in the city (other than watching around my house from the roof)…. After the killing, Pokhara witnessed the biggest rally after the people protested the killing……. Chitwan has been declared democratic zone after the people forced police to flee the scene and took control over the governmental offices.

The Kaushaltar Story, Curfew! Clashes! Communication cut-off!

Kaushaltar and its surrounding is not big and by the number of local participants in such program, I now say that people are uprising for the revolution.

Democracy For Nepal takes a strong stand. Shoot At Sight Order: Dead End For The King, Protests (photos), Constituent Assembly: 300 Seats Of Roughly Equal Population, Crime, Organized Crime, Terrorism, State Terrorism, The Police, The Army Need To Stop Following Illegitimate Orders. The blog talks of a revolutionary parliament.

The 1999 House that will function under an interim constitution. It will have revolutionary powers. It could declare the country a republic. It could purge the entire army top brass. It could do things like that. It could send Kamal Thapa and the king to jail, for example.

Mero Sansar has some great on the ground coverage. The blog is in Nepali, but it is the only one doing video clips from the scene. There are several: video clips 1, video clips 2, video clips 3.

Day 2: Nepal Democracy Movement

Paramendra — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 06:46:58 +0000

More than a thousand have been arrested, many have been beaten up, several killed, and Home Minister Kamal Thapa has threatened martial law. If there was a time when the international community could reach out in solidarity, this is it. Democracy For Nepal, DFN, has talked of two events in New York City among the Nepali diaspora and friends of Nepal: April 8: New Year, April 9.

A Global Voices blog entry got the blogger an offer from the BBC World Service to participate in a discussion on Nepal: BBC Calls. Phalano.com has photos: Day 1 Photos, Day 2 Photos.

INSN has detailed coverage on the action in the streets: Patan: 1990 Revisited, Reports On Arrests, Protestors Declare Kirtipur Independent, Day I: One Killed, Hundreds Arrested Nationwide, Two Hurt In Police Firing, Protestors Police Clash All Over The Valley.

United We Blog, UWB, has some great coverage on the protests: Kirtipur And Patan Through Lens, Royal Madness, General Strike Day II Updates, General Strike Day I Diary, On Photos: April Uprising I.

Khatmandu's tense political moves

Paramendra — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 21:00:18 +0000

The seven party alliance in Nepal is in the middle of its “decisive” protests to topple the autocratic regime in Nepal, and the protest programs have met with unprecedented resistance from the security forces.

United We Blog, UWB, has some remarkable coverage as usual. General Strike Day I Diary, On Photos: April Uprising I, Maoists Attack on Sarlahi, The Eve of General Strike, Leaders & Professionals Arrested, Interests of Power Centers, April Uprising: What to Expect?.

Democracy For Nepal, DFN, has offered its usual political analysis, and calls for action on the part of the Nepali democrats worldwide: April 9, April Revolution: Document Every Atrocity, The Fascists In Kathmandu, Final Act: Disobey The Curfew, April 6,7,8,9, April 16,17,18,19, April 26,27,28,29, Write To Bush, Condi Before Possible Clampdown, Kamal Thapa Is A Nazi, Kamal Thapa Going Jail, Kamal Thapa Chukkie Pissing.

DFN also has covered three time Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's trip to New York City. There are video clips and photos: Deuba Off To DC, Deuba In Jackson Heights, Deuba At Hotel Pennsylvania, Deuba At Columbia.

DFN's calls for action fall in several category. The number one is the work being done to launch an organization of Nepalis worldwide to aid the revolution for democracy. Hamro Nepal All Set To Be Launched. The blog also has an extensive video interview with Dinesh Tripathi, Advocate, Supreme Court of Nepal, who has been working harder than anyone else to seek legal remedies on behalf of the movement: Dinesh Tripathi, Your Worst Nightmare.

Samudaya speaks to release those who have been arrested: The movement must not be aborted.

Mero Sansar is right there with United We Blog in terms of coverage. Just look at this photo blog.

Nepal: Moriarty Drowns Out Prachanda

Paramendra — Sun, 05 Mar 2006 19:18:32 +0000

The Nepali blogosphere the past two weeks has given a lot of space to US ambassador Moriarty who gave an important speech warning the political parties to watch out for the Maoists. He also wrote an article to the same effect in the Asian Wall Street Journal. Only days before the Maoist supremo Prachanda had given out three major interviews, one to the leading Nepali daily, another to a leading Indian daily, and a third to BBC. That created much news. But Moriarty came right after and drowned Prachanda out.

Democracy For Nepal (DFN) claims the ambassador and the parties are talking past each other: Moriarty In The Soup, Baburam Moriarty Debate, India, Europe, US For A Constituent Assembly, Moriarty Deserves Your Ears. DFN also has close to 40 minutes of video clips from the talk program in New York City where the leading Nepali journalist Kanak Mani Dixit and the ICG point person Rhoderick Chalmers spoke.

United We Blog (UWB) has some graphic coverage of the recent aerial attacks by the Royal Nepalese Army. Innocent villagers end up bearing the brunt of such senseless attacks: Aerial Assault: Survivors’ Images, Bomb Effects: Palpa, Bhairahawa, Images From Kavre Clash.

Mero Sansar continues to take the lead on video blogging the movement.

Samudaya has an interesting piece on the reconstruction in the post conflict situation. It is optimistic.

Nepal: Money Needed For Movement

Paramendra — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 23:56:58 +0000

Democracy For Nepal, DFN, talks of the need for the Nepali diaspora to pump money into the democracy movement in Nepal: moral support is not enough. The idea is to launch an organization to the effect.

Those in the diaspora do not have the option to get out into the streets of Nepal, to get beat up by the police, possibly getting shot dead. That is why the diaspora needs to do everything else possible, and money is key. We have to outspend our opponents. We have to outorganize them.

There is also an entry on Blogalaxy For Global Democracy. Other countries fighting for democracy can hope to learn from the Nepal experience.

A blog is one star. A blogalaxy is many stars. A blogalaxy has many individual and group blogs all interlinked to each other. There are three basic components to power for any democracy movement: money, message, organization. Blogs are great ways to marshall all three. Blogs also make possible politics at the speed of thought. You end up with armchair revolutionaries. One country group could learn from another, there would be much cross pollination in terms of learning strategies, techniques, message honing. Each country group will feel this enormous moral support. The blogalaxy would not be a registered organization, just a communication tool that positively impacts all three power tools, although there might be many registered organizations that are part of it.

United We Blog, UWB, has several pieces of great interest: Images of Protests in Dang, Deserted Voting Booths of Nepal, People Indifferent To Election, Election Day: Kathmandu Silent. The moon throws light, but a bulb that throws light is not the moon. Democracies have elections, but elections are not democracy. Somebody tell that to the dictator king in Nepal.

Samudaya reports from Nepal: Black Day at Basantapur. “After the protest, we meet up with Gagan Thapa. “Four years of brick-throwing”, he reflects, “and nothing has progressed. I've realized that giving two speeches is more effective than two days of rioting.”"

Mero Sansar has a video blog on the state firing water hoses at demonstrators.