Kalpit Parajuli

A long holiday is scheduled to allow everyone to vote, but for millions of Nepalis living abroad who want to vote the trek home is too long. The United Nations calls on Maoists to stop pre-election attacks and violence.

Officially, the Tibetan exiles in Kathmandu are interrupting the anti-Chinese protests out of respect for the upcoming government elections. In reality, the government has warned them: those who continue to demonstrate will be imprisoned indefinitely.

The bombs caused three deaths and wounded others. A group that wants to keep Nepal a Hindu nation has claimed responsibility for the attack. It's a threat against the holding of elections for the constituent assembly.

As the 10 April elections to the constituent assembly approach, Maoist attacks against opposition parties increase.

Buddhist monks in Nepal join pro-Tibet demonstrators in the streets. They criticise the government and Nepali Maoists, too complacent vis-à-vis Beijing. More than 10,000 Tibetan monks have found refugee in the Himalayan nation.

Buddhist leaders from Korea come in pilgrimage to Nepal. Hundreds gather to pray in the Buddha’s birthplace.

Hundreds of Islamic and Buddhist schools want recognition. Nepal’s government is set to provide financial aid as well but demands in return that such schools also use non religious books in English and Nepali. Some Muslim groups object.

The Indian doctor, believed to be the "mastermind" of an international organ trafficking ring, admits to more than 3,000 kidney transplants. But he says this was only the "selling" of organs by poor Indians to rich foreigners. He allegedly bought kidneys for about 2,000 dollars, and sold them for 20,000.

Despite being in the ruling coalition government, Maoists break the peace deal agreed to in November 2006 and revive local “people’s councils” to “manage” the upcoming elections to the constituent assembly.

Members of some Nepalese ethnic minorities are appealing to the government for a moratorium on abortion as the only guarantee for the protection of their lives and human rights.

Thousands of ascetics protest peacefully on the border between the two countries, blocking roads for a day, chanting hymns and slogans. Extremists now threaten more actions if the government does not restore the Hindu king and monarchy.

Members of the southern Nepali ethnic group protest against the upcoming Constituent Assembly for not respecting the points of view of minorities. Government calls for dialogue, Madhesi pledge three more days of violence.