Kalpit Parajuli

Checkpoints in the streets of the capital, high alert at the airport, controls around hotels where foreigners are staying. Increased deployment of security forces at the border with India. Nepalese citizens must carry identification documents in order to move around the country.

Out of a population of 26 million inhabitants, 70,000 people are affected by autoimmune deficiency, 2,000 of them children. 16% of the cases have contracted the virus through sexual relations with prostitutes, and 21% are wives or partners infected by their husbands or companions.

Hundreds of divorced Muslim women demand the same rights as men during two days of protest against ‘talak’. Islamic divorce allows husbands to repudiate their wives, throw them out of the house without any support. In Nepalagunj 236 women have been through this experience. Destitute, they are forced to go back to their original family; some are even forced into prostitution.

The measure, which must still be approved, provides prison sentences and fines for those who commit kidnappings, and their accomplices. The law would regulate cases of disappearance recorded between 1996 and 2006, the year in which the agreement was signed between the communist guerrillas and the coalition government. Human rights activists say there are 2,200 cases of disappearance.

The detainees are former commanders of Nepalese revolutionary forces. The solution of the problem of Maoist rebels weighs on the future of the country. The conclusion of the UN mission is also connected to the process of integrating the forces of the People's Liberation Army into the ranks of the regular army.

In the cross-country specialty, all of the winners in the women's races are Chinese: the gold medal has gone to the athlete who came in fourth in the Beijing Olympics. Among the men, victory for two-time Asian champion Jiang Xue Li. Poor results for the host country: only one Nepalese athlete reached the finish, 17th out of 30.

For more than 120,000 refugees, the coronation of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel brings new hope for a possible return home. Doubts and confusion remain about the decisions that the young new sovereign will make. Activists warn that the monarchy is at risk, and threaten popular revolt.

Ban Ki-moon will encourage dialogue among the political factions, and will call for a consensus on the role of the former Maoist guerrillas, now the national army. Visit to the Buddha's birthplace scheduled.

With the beginning of the feast of Tihar, ethnic minorities in the country are raising their voices against the Maoist government of Prachanda. They are criticizing the favorable treatment shown toward Hindus, accusing: "In Nepal, secularism is only a declaration of intent."

A committee is expected to supervise process incorporating the People’s Liberation Army and the Nepal Army. Nepal’s opposition parties are against the plan. Madheshi Rights Forum leader threatens secession for Terai region if plan is implemented.

The Maoist government of Kathmandu is running for cover, to defend itself from the scandal of contaminated milk. Candy, cookies, and dairy products banned. Meanwhile, Beijing admits part of the responsibility for the affair.

The demolition of low-cost pilgrims’ hostels in the holy city will prevent Nepali Muslims from performing the traditional hajj pilgrimage. Finding a solution is proving difficult and is generating tensions between Prachanda’s Maoist-led government and some Nepali Muslim leaders.