Political Developments:

Violent Protests In The Midst Of Constitution Drafting Process:

1. Civil unrest continued in Nepal in the midst of constitution drafting process, as the growing frustrations among the marginalized, indigenous and ethnic groups took a violent turn during the last week of August. Indefinite shutdowns imposed by various political groups dissatisfied with the way future provinces were being carved in the new constitution crippled life across the country through out August. At least eight members of the police force and a two-year old child were killed in Tikapur municipality in Kailali district in Nepal’s far-western plains on August 24. Among the killed police men included SSP Laxman Neupane. At least 50 people – 29 protestors and 21 police personnel were injured in this incident. Besides Takapur, several other places had also remained disturbed where police had to resort to lathi charge, use tear gas shells, forced to firing and impose curfew to control the situation. One protestor was killed and four others injured in police firing on the 16^th day of the indefinite Tarai Madhes strike called by the United Democratic Madhesi Front at Birgunj on August 31. UDMF had enforced indefinite strike to protest against the draft constitution and seven – province federal model proposed by the major parties. An alliance of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Sadbhavna Party and Tarai Madhes Sadbhawna Party had announced an indefinite Tarai shut down after a Madhesi protester was killed in police firing in Saptari on August 18.

2. Though the official figure of the number of people killed in police firing had not been announced, it is said that at least 25 people had been killed and over hundred injured at different places in Nepal. Trouble zone is spread over more than half of Nepal, continuing from far western areas to eastern Nepal including Madhes belt. Only a portion of Central Nepal remained calm, although signs of murmuring were noticed there too. Tarai districts of Madhes and Tharuhat areas of Tharus were the worst affected. Army had to be called out at a number of places to assist the law enforcing agencies to control the situation. As the three major parties rejected the Madhesi demand to halt the constitution writing process to create conducive environment for talks, an end to agitation did not appear in sight. Tharu and Madhesi leaders’ allege that the government had done nothing to incorporate their views into the constitution drafting-process. Instead, the CA process is moving ahead as planned. According to current schedule, there was only one week for all amendments to be incorporated into the draft. It was clear that the complex negotiations that were required with Tharu and Madhesi groups could not be concluded within such a short period of time. The violent protests and shutdowns has created such a complex situation that if the leaders of three major parties decide to promulgate a new constitution that excludes vast sections of the population, it is only likely to lead to a major conflagration in the country.

3. Constituent Assembly, on August 30, concluded discussion on the final draft of the new constitution, allotting seven days for receiving amendment proposals on the “Revised Bill”. CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang, on August 30, asked CA members to register their amendment proposals till September 5. Thereafter, CA will hold clause-wise discussion on the bill along with proposed amendments and endorse the bill through voting before President Ram Baran Yadav promulgates the new constitution. All these procedures can be completed by September 17.

4. Replying to the concerns raised by some CA members during five-day discussion, chairman of the Drafting Committee, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, said that since the draft constitution had ensured republican system and seven-province model with demarcation of boundaries, the parties represented in the CA who wanted federal model with boundaries join the remaining process. More than 400 members of the 601-member CA took part in the discussion.

5. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sushil Kumar Koirala sent a fresh invite for talks to the constituents of United Democratic Madhesi front, Tharu Kalyankarini Sabha and Tharuhat joint struggle committee urging them to come to the negotiating table. Agitating Madhesi and Tharu forces, however, set preconditions for talks on constitutional issues. One of the key conditions was that the Constituent Assembly should halt the drafting process for negotiation to succeed. UDMF set four conditions which included government’s commitment to respect the 22 and eight-point agreements signed with Madhesi parties, withdraw of Nepali Army and Armed Police Force from Tarai districts, martyrdom for those who were killed during the recent protests and provide free treatment to the injured. Leaders of Tharuhat joint struggle committee made it clear that it would come to negotiating table only when the government prepared the grounds for talks. Their conditions included, withdrawal of Nepali Army from riot hit districts, withdrawal of cases filed against Tharu cadres, release of arrested persons, and payment of compensation to those whose houses were set on fire in Kailali districts.

Foreign Relations:

Indian Ambassador Refuted Unsubstantiated Statement:

6. India, on August 25, conveyed its concerns to Nepal over unsubstantiated statements made by Nepalese leaders over alleged intrusion by Indians in riot-hit areas, saying such statements could cause misunderstandings and distort perceptions about friendly bilateral ties. India’s Ambassador to Nepal conveyed these concerns in a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bamdev Gautam. In a statement, Gautam had earlier mentioned that a large number of intruders from the ‘south’ had entered Gaur and Rautahat. The Indian Embassy also clarified that it had not been contacted by the Nepalese authorities about any unusual movement of people across the border in recent days.

Prime Minister Modi Urged All Nepali Stake Holders To Eschew Violence:

7. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on August 25, expressed sorrow at the loss of lives in the violence in Kailali and called up his Nepali counterpart, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and the people of Nepal. PM Modi also expressed concern that political and social instability would seriously compound the tragedy caused by the recent earthquake in Nepal. He also called for restraint and restoration of peace and order and appealed to the government, all political parties and the people of Nepal to eschew violence and maintain social harmony. He reiterated the message that the political leadership of Nepal should resolve all outstanding issues though dialogue between all political parties and through the process of widest possible consultation, including with the public, so as to strengthen the climate of trust and confidence across and between all sections of society, and arrive solutions that reflect the will and accommodate the aspirations of all citizens of a richly diverse society within a united, peaceful, stable and prosperous Nepal.

India, Nepal Signed MoU for Construction of Petroleum Pipeline:

8. Nepal and India signed an agreement to construct a 41 km-long petroleum pipeline. The agreement has been seen as a milestone in ensuring unhindered supply of petroleum products to Nepal. Nepal’s Minister for Commerce and Supplies Sunil Thapa signed the agreement with India’s Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Kathmandu, on August 24. The Construction of the pipeline from India’s Raxaul to Nepal’s Amlekhgunj will cost Rs. 2.75 billion. Indian Oil Corporation has agreed to provide Rs. two billion for it in exchange for Nepal’s commitment to buy petroleum products from India for at least 15 years. The construction is expected to be completed within three years. This will be the first trans-national petroleum pipeline in South Asia and forms part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of improved regional connectivity among SAARC countries.

Chinese Minister Visited Nepal:

9. Assistant Minister for International Development of Communist Party of China Dou Enyong landed in Kathmandu, on August 23, for 3-day visit. Talking to media persons at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the Chinese leader claimed that the primary objective of his trip to Kathmandu was to further strengthen the existing relations between Communist Party of China and political parties of Nepal. He would be meeting political leaders representing major parties and hold talks on issues of bilateral interest. He said that since China and Nepal were celebrating sixty years of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, it was the right time for political parties of Nepal and Chinese Communist Party to engage in activities that could further strengthen ties between the two countries.

Bhutan

Internal Development:

Bhutan Post to Introduce e-Ticket System:

1. Bhutan Post has introduced an electronic ticket system under which tickets will not be issued inbuses by conductors, but will have to be purchased from an authorized e-ticket outlet in Thirupu. E-tickets will also be available at shops that sell electronic mobile vouchers, of which there are 75 in Thirupur. The e-tickets will have no expiry date and can be used on any route.

External Relations:

Bhutan-China Border Talks Held:

2. The 23^rd round of boundary talks between Bhutan and China was held on August 24. Foreign Affairs Minister, Damcho Dorji led the Bhutanese delegation. Other senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Boundaries Secretariat also attended the talk. China’s Foreign Affairs vice Minister, Liu Zhenmin led the 11-member Chinese delegation. The latest round of talks was held after two rounds of Expert Group Meetings in Thempu in October 2014 and March this year in Beijing. The 22^nd round of boundary talks was held in China last year. Boundary talks with China began in 1984. The negotiations are held under the Guiding Principles of 1988 and the Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility in the Bhutan-China Areas signed in 1998. There are 269 kms of disputed areas in northern Haa and Paro. In July, last year, the 22nd round of border talks held in China, endorsed the joint technical field survey report on the central northern disputed area of Bayul-Pasamlung comprising 496 km. Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchoen Tshering Tobgay and the Chinese foreign affairs vice minister agreed that both sides should move forward to a successful boundary negotiation and come to an early, comprehensive and mutually acceptable solution. Liu Zhenzmin assured Bhutan that China would continue to respect Bhutan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.