Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (June 13, 2019).
In stunning continuation, comedian remains in detention despite widespread calls for his release
Galvanised by news reports and social media posts about the arrest of comedian Pranesh Gautam for a film review, dozens of people took to the streets of Kathmandu on Wednesday to express outrage over the increasing threat to freedom of expression in the country.
Protestors walked from Pulchowk to Maitighar Mandala, with their mouths taped, carrying placards demanding the release of Gautam, who has been in police custody since Friday. Gautam was taken into custody under the Electronic Transaction Act after filmmaker Milan Chams filed a police complaint last month for a video on Meme Nepal, a popular Facebook page, reviewing Chams’ recent film, Bir Bikram 2.
By late afternoon on Wednesday, #FreePraneshGautam was trending on Nepali Twitter, and hours later, the Kathmandu District Court extended Gautam’s judicial remand by two days. He was earlier remanded to five-day custody following his arrest on June 7.
Nepal initiates talks to amend no-objection certificate provision for Nepalis travelling to third countries via India
Nepal is working to amend the current procedure regarding the mandatory ‘no-objection certificate’ for Nepalis travelling to third countries via India.
The Nepali Embassy is working in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address hassles faced by Nepalis travelling via India, according to the head of Nepali mission in New Delhi.
According to the embassy, around 20-25 no objection certificates are being issued on a daily basis.
The embassy issues on average 400 certificates in a month, while travellers seeking the certificates have increased by 25 percent in recent months.
Oli proposed a review of the 1947 tripartite pact in meeting with Theresa May, foreign minister says
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli proposed a review of the 1947 tripartite agreement between Nepal, India and Britain during his meeting with outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali said on Tuesday.
However, a statement issued by a spokesperson for the British prime minister made no mention of Oli’s proposal, adding to the confusion of agitating Gurkha veterans who have long been demanding equal pay.
The statement from 10 Downing Street said that the British prime minister “stressed the important role of the Gurkhas, who continue to serve in the British Armed Forces with honour and distinction” while welcoming the strength of relations between the two countries. May’s office also noted that formal ties have endured for more than 200 years.
Nepal Airlines to say bye bye to its last Boeing 757, auction notice on Friday
Nepal Airlines will be issuing an auction notice for its remaining Boeing 757 on Friday as its board has approved in principle the proposal to retire the vintage jet. When the aircraft flies off into the sunset, it will mark the end of the Boeing era in Nepal that began nearly five decades ago.
The state-owned carrier also plans to auction off the Boeing’s spare parts as it will now have an all-Airbus fleet. The national flag carrier said that it had set the minimum sale price at $7.8 million for the 31-year-old Boeing named Gandaki with registration number 9N-ACB and its spare parts.
The jet is valued at $5.4 million out of the total sale price, the carrier said.
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