Nepal changes anti-terror law just before strike

A policeman kicks a student during an anti-monarchy rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesterday. Twenty students were arrested in clashes with riot police while supporting calls for a four-day anti-monarchy strike slated to run from tomorrow to Saturday. PHOTO: AFP

Days a countrywide opposition strike, Nepal's government has widened the sweep of its anti-terror law to allow anyone in contact with anti-monarchy Maoist rebels to be jailed as a terrorist.

Political said yesterday they fear the amended law would be used against them because they have thrown their support behind the rebels' strike, which begins tomorrow and is aimed at pressuring King Gyanendra to give up power that he seized last year after sacking the prime minister.

The alliance of seven opposition parties, meanwhile, hailed an announcement by the rebels to halt attacks in Kathmandu, the capital. The rebel chief, who goes by the assumed name Prachanda, said on Monday the decision was made in response to the concerns of political parties and civil society groups.

Smaller have already started. Twenty students were detained yesterday after police fired tear gas and beat pro-democracy protesters with batons, according to student leader Suresh Gautam and a police officer who asked not to be identified by name.

Arjun Narsingh of the Nepali Congress, the largest party in Nepal, said on Tuesday that changes in the anti-terror law are an attempt to "threaten and terrorize the opposition parties and the media."

The amended Terrorists and Disruptive Activities Control and Punishment Ordinance defines "terrorist accomplices" as those who have any contact with the rebels. That has raised concerns about party activists and civilians -- who are often coerced into supporting the guerrillas -- and journalists who cover rebel gatherings and interview their leaders.

"This will be another weapon for the government to strike against the media, which is already under many restrictions," said Bishnu Nisthuri, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists.

A senior UN official said the government was not giving the parties enough political space for peaceful protests.

"What I hear is not the message I would like to hear from the government, that peaceful protests is a right and should be upheld and security forces should use only absolute minimum force in maintaining law and order," Ian Martin, the Nepal representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Monday.

Under amended anti-terror law, anyone who disseminates information about the rebels could face one to three years in prison and fines of up to 50,000 rupees (US$700).

Human groups say hundreds of people have already been detained under the law, which allowed for the detention without charge for up to a year of anyone suspected of sympathizing with the communist rebels.

The government has struggled to control the spiraling communist insurgency that has killed some 13,000 people since 1996. The rebels' influence has increased dramatically in recent years, and they are now present in most of the country's 75 districts.

The armed rebels often trek through mountain villagers in militant-controlled areas compelling villagers to feed them and give them shelter. The villagers are usually in no position to refuse rebel demands.

Government have also threatened a crackdown on demonstrators, warning that "terrorists" were planning to infiltrate the protests and attack government targets. The government said it would reimpose a state of emergency if things got out of control.

Political said the rebel chief's promise of not carrying out attacks left the government with no excuse to use force against them.

"It is a very positive development," said Ram Sharan Mahat, a Nepali Congress leader.

"The Maoists, who believe in violence, are supporting our peaceful protests," he said.