Pakistan Elections: Hope and Fear

- Pramod Raj Sedhain (after returning from Pakistan)

After decades of military rule and political instability, this is the first time in the Pakistan's history that a civilian government will transfer power through ballot box. The landmark elections set for May 11 is in full swing. Despite the security challenges, Pakistan’s politicians have started boosting their election campaigning efforts for the final stretch. The Election Commission has set up more than 73,000 polling stations, with 20,000 earmarked as 'sensitive or most sensitive'. Pakistan will deploy more than 600,000 security personnel, including police, paramilitary rangers, tribal police and national volunteers in the upcoming election. The army has announced that 70,000 troops will be deployed in four provinces on the Election Day. According to Election Commission, five security personnel will be stationed at each polling station, and seven to 10 at sensitive and most sensitive polling stations respectively. The National Assembly of Pakistan consists of 342 seats - 272 general seats, 60 reserved seats for the women and 10 seats for the non-Muslims. Likewise, there are 272 general seats, 4671 candidates on the ground and 86,189,802 voters. Women represent about 44 percent of the total vote and the number of women contesting general seats has gone up to 161. In 2008, 64 women ran for general seats and 18 made it to the parliament.
Punjab has a share of 148 seats, Sindh has 61 seats, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province has 35 seats, and Balochistan has 14 seats, with 12 seats going to the FATA and two to the federal capital. A political party must secure 172 seats (51 percent of total seats) in the National Assembly of Pakistan to obtain a majority or else the elections will result in a hung parliament. If a political party with the most votes is either unable or unwilling to form a coalition government within a certain time-frame, a runoff election will be held. About 4.5 million registered voters are residing in other countries, out of which 3.5 million are in the Middle East. The Election Commission has earlier told the apex court that voting for Pakistanis abroad would ensure in 10 countries for the first time in the country's history.
The country will elect direct 849 members of the National and Provincial assemblies of Pakistan, who will further elect the Prime Minister of Pakistan at the national level and the Chief Ministers of Pakistan at the provincial level. Out of the total 15,515 candidates for the general seats in the National Assembly and other provincial assemblies, 355 women are currently in the fray. Women representatives in all assemblies have seen a rise. Elections will be held for Punjab Assembly, Sindh Assembly, Khyber Pakhtun Khwa Assembly and Balochistan Assembly as well National Assembly at the same time.
Polls indicate there could be a record turnout, higher than the 44 percent in the 2008 elections. Pakistan held six general elections in the past 22 years in 1985, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997 and 2002. However, this election has its own significance. A total of 172 out of 272 directly elected seats are required for a governing majority in the National Assembly, although no single party is expected to achieve that.
At present a caretaker government is in place. An independent Election Commission has been created to oversee the polls, and international organizations such as the EU have agreed to send observers. Most commentators expect the election to produce another coalition government after a possibly prolonged period of political wrangling. Voter lists have been computerized for the first time. The Election Commission of Pakistan has allotted election symbols to 144 political parties. In 2008, 49 political parties had applied for the election symbols with the EC. In 2002, 77 political parties took part in the election process conducted by the then military ruler. Pakistan’s most important demographic in this election — are the youth. An estimated 40 million young Pakistanis will be eligible to vote for the first time. Pakistan's population totals roughly 190 million, of whom an estimated two-thirds are under 30. About 92 million of the total are adults aged 18 or over.
New Phenomena of Election Ground
In 2008, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) garnered more than 10 million votes. A party attracting some 17 million youth votes would have a powerful position after this month's election. PPP came to power in 2008 on a wave of sympathy paving the way for Asif Ali Zardari to become the President. This brought an end to Pakistan’s most recent period of military rule. PPP-led government and President Zardari completed the term despite the mismanagement, disqualified administration, growing unemployment and rising debts, loggerheads with the judiciary and military, lack of security, lack of public delivering services, unrelenting political, social turmoil and growing instability. However, despite all these, PPP's reputation and influence have witnessed a shrink. The PPP has been hurt by strong anti-incumbency sentiment among the electorate. Several pre-election polls indicate that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will be the winner in Pakistan's upcoming general election. The Punjab province, considered as a political power base, is Nawaz Sharif's birthplace, which is a home to sixty percent of total Pakistanis. Sharif twice served as Prime Minister and heads the second largest political party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). He rose to national prominence with the support of the army in the mid 1980s and has been known as a pro-army politician. In October 1999, Sharif was dislodged from power by a bloodless coup staged by his hand-picked army chief, General Pervez Musharraf. Currently, he holds the support of right-wing forces, the business community, the commercial and professional middle class as well as some Middle East countries.
Meanwhile, some believe that former cricket star Imran Khan could become Pakistan’s next Prime Minister. After struggling for more than 15 years to grow his party, Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party has massive youth support. They have shown up new phenomena in unprecedented numbers at rallies all across Pakistan. Polls show that an Oxford graduate Khan certainly will emerge as a new strong force in Pakistani politic either in the ruling coalition or as an opposition. Social media also plays an effective role especially among affluent younger voters (fewer than 1 in 10 Pakistanis enjoy internet access). According to Reliable Alexa ranking, Khan's election campaign website is one of the top 145 most visited sites in Pakistan. Other political parties like Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Awami National Party (ANP), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Muttahida Qaumi Movement or MQM among others too hold regional as well religious influence.
Pakistani public has witnessed uncertainties and insecurity for the last several years. They remain highly optimistic about the outcome of the elections. Terrorism, security, stability and economy have been the fundamental issues that Pakistan is facing at the moment. People hope to improve the worst law and order condition and promote good governance. Escalating violation, political, judicial and military tensions, corruption, among others are other problems currently faced by the Pakistani people. Replacing a democratically elected government with another is not a surprise. However, it certainly is a milestone of Pakistan's future course.

French victory in Mali: What next?

Pramod Raj Sedhain An average of 2.7 million euros is being spent per day in the ongoing "Operation Serval" since it was launched on January 11. The month-long operation saw massive air raid as well as ground offence. Al-Qaeda in Mali has no longer control of the northern region. But hundreds of militants are said to have been hiding in the vast and complicated area in the far northeast Mountain area of the country. They have been sheltering in one of Africa's harshest and least-known mountain ranges - the Adrar des Ifoghas. French-led military forces are still fighting to secure the north of the country. French fighter jets continue to pound the Militinic hideout Mountain area, including attacks on training camps and arms depots. The number of militants however remains in dispute, with estimates varying from a few hundred fighters to a few thousand. More than 6,000 troops have been promised by the West African Interim Force. There are also about 2,000 Chadian troops fighting alongside the French forces, who entered Mali on January 10. Mali's largest northern city witnessed blasts and street violence after a raid against Islamist insurgent guerrilla. Meanwhile, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a military checkpoint in Gao, wounding a soldier, an act that provided further evidence of the continued threat of the militants. Militants have not been completely flushed out of the whole territory. France's humanitarian mission dramatically increased the numbers of its boots on the ground attesting to the likelihood of greater French involvement. France said the recent Mali troop deployments weren't aimed at perpetuating Paris's grip on Africa, but at assisting allies. Operation in Mali counts 4,600 soldiers, 3,500 of which are serving on the ground. In the first week of beginning of the operation, the top US commander in Africa, General Carter Ham warned against "premature military action". He said immediate intervention would be likely to fail and set back the situation "even further". Some analysts, however, say the military intervention is not well-planned. After the third week of successful operation US analysis has seen a drastic change. US Defense minister Leon Panetta said that French forces rolled back Islamist militants in Mali "much faster" than the United States expected. "They have made tremendous progress; I give them a lot of credit," he added. French small special force gained surprise results in Mali. Many analysts said they were surprise with the French military victory over well-trained and heavily-armed Al Queda linked extremist fighters. But question remains: What might happen next in Mali? According to French Le Parisien daily, war in Mali had cost 70 million euros - an average of 2.7 million euros per day since it was launched on January 11. That figure compared to an average cost of 1.6 million euros per day for the intervention that toppled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, and 1.4 million euros per day for the NATO-led war in Afghanistan. Le Parisien Daily quoted the defence minister as saying that "transportation of soldiers and military hardware had cost 50 million euros so far". France had mobilised 10,000 tons of military material in 15 days in Mali. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the war represented “a great effort” for France, which is struggling to balance its budget while tackling with the low growth and high unemployment. But, Mali advance shows France's military superpower and regional influence. The French and Chadian forces, with remnants of the Malian army, have since retaken northern towns from the Islamist rebels, who had enforced a brutal Sharia law there for 10 months. But they are now engaged in raids on the militant groups who have pulled back to desert and mountain hideouts. The four weeks of French Operation have ousted fighters allied with al-Qaeda from Mali's main northern towns. French President Francois Hollande was on a one-day trip to the Mali accompanied by his ministers for Defence, Foreign affairs and Development. President Hollande said, "Terrorism has been repelled but not wiped out". "I'm saying to you the fight has not yet ended, terrorist groups are weakened, they have suffered heavy losses, but have not disappeared. France will remain with you as long as it is necessary." He also made it clear that French troops will stay in Mali until rebels are defeated and democracy and human rights prevail. Hollande told Malians it was time for Africans to take the lead but that France would not abandon them. What next ? Once a major draw for Islamic scholars from around the world, the extremist have destroyed ancient shrines, banned music, and banned watching TV. They were also involved in human rights abuses and public stoning death is normal in jihadist rule. Now, jihadists have been driven out and sharian law lifted. The people of Mali are dancing and singing for the first time in months but the future of Mali remains unclear. Malian authority regularly broadcast radio messages over the past few days asking for citizens to report suspects to state authorities rather than take matters into their own hands. In the capital Bamako, government soldiers have put down a protest by troops loyal to the ex-president, and a latest Gao violence indicate the future instability of Mali. But positive signs of Mali intervention, within a limited time of military victory, saw several high-ranking Islamists arrested. French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian described the desert operation against the Islamism group as a "real war". French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said France wanted a United Nations peacekeeping force to replace French forces deployed in Mali by April, incorporating troops offered by West African nations. France said it will start reducing its 4,600 military force in Mali in March and said it would take several weeks to complete planning for a UN force and to pass a Security Council resolution setting it up. Military analysts say: "It will be the place where Islamist militants are finally defeated or where they slip away to fight again". France called on the UN Security Council to send peacekeepers to Mali to take-over from French forces battling Al-Qaeda linked guerrillas and speed up the deployment of human rights observers. The force would support the stabilization of Mali after the French-Malian offensive and "help Malians to refound their country" with a "national pact" to end longstanding rivalry between the government and ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs. UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous also acknowledged objections raised by the Bamako transitional government but said a peacekeeping force is supported by the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and key UN members. European Union said it would step up its financial commitment to defeating the insurgents in Mali, pledging €50 million to support a contingent of African-led troops and promising as much as €250 million for development aid. The fighting overshadowed the arrival of 70 EU military trainers, the first of what is to be a 500-strong mission tasked with whipping the Malian army into shape. French General Francois Lecointre, leading the mission, said there was “a real need to rebuild the Malian army, which is in a state of advanced disrepair.” (Source: People Review Weekly Article)

France Mali Intervention: Responsible, yet risky move

Pramod Raj Sedhain French President Francois Hollande took a dramatic, hard and fast decisive action by intervening in Mali. This was followed after a plea for help from Mali’s Interim President, Dioncounda Traore. The risky military operation happened much early than expected – merely two hours of receiving letter from the Malian President. On January 11, France began its military intervention in Mali. France is one of the few major global powers with the capacity to direct sole military intervention in a foreign country. In this surprised move, French government has promised its public a short war. Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius last weekend said the intervention just “a matter of weeks”. But, during the initial day of air raids, French Military was surprised at the level of sophistication of the Islamist forces, which was well-armed, well-trained, experienced and determined than expected. Extremists clearly posed an imminent threat to southern Mali to Bamako, the entire regional security as well as the international community. France immediately decided ground operation and leading the regional military blocks. Ten months ago, a military coup in Mali ended more than two-decade stretch of elections, which had established the country as a democracy. The coup created a power vacuum in the north which the Islamist rebels would fill and now facing possible overthrow by jihadists. They came with loads of weapons hauled out of a chaotic Libya. The area is a vast desert region in the northern half of Mali - roughly the size of France. Ground troops began to prevent al-Qaeda from turning a country twice the size of France. France has deployed 2,500 troops and 3,300 troops deployed to members of regional bloc ECOWAS (The Economic Community of West African States). Regional group of sixteen countries ECOWAS tackles the Operational, Political & negotiating tactic as well as boost a French-backed offensive in Mali against Islamist rebels. Regional and international players accelerated the deployment of MISMA (International Mission for Mali Assistance). Certainly, former colonial power, French force maintained a high moral and confident frontline of Operation Serval (ongoing operation). The small French special force and air power was vital to achieve success against the jihadists in one of the most risk missions. Intervention is a clear indication that Mali is not another Afghanistan. French Mirage and Rafale jets, Gazelle helicopters increasingly destroyed the jihadi fighters' moral and warfare psychology in the desert, which clearly showed French intervention, was creating a right track and course. French interest of intervention In the context of Mali, the French position was bolder than that of the United States. French President Hollande says he is battling a "terrorist threat" on Europe's doorstep. He says the campaign in northern Mali will take as long as necessary. This could not be an easy choice for France, but the French leadership had no option than to risk letting the rebels reach Bamako and establish their headquarters in the capital city, as the Taliban did in Kabul in 1996. Al Qaeda linked rebels have repeatedly warned it could be another Afghanistan. Even several other groups and power centres in Mali have said that's not going to be easy for France. But at the request of the President of Mali, and respecting the United Nations' charter, France took the challenge to eject the terrorists, who are brutalizing northern Mali. But the intervention indicated President Hollande's statesmanship that took to surprise to many people for his hard and fast-risk decision, which has gotten a political boost in France. French media have praised the President's move, which includes the dire need to protect some 6,000 French nationals. In the African regional context, France still maintains strategic and military influence in the region. Relying on this region for nearly all the uranium that fuels French nuclear power plants. France has its military bases in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Chad and Djibouti. Some 12,000 French troops are currently engaged in peace-keeping operations around the world, nearly half are deployed in Africa. France has diversified interest in Africa where some 240,000 of its nationals live and 5 percent of France’s exports. France’s humanitarian intervention there saved thousands of lives and stabilized the region. French engagement in foreign intervention is not a new matter. It has a substantial military action and legacy of colonial history. Since 1960, France launched 50 military interventions in the African region. In 2011/12 France carried out air attack in Libya and Ivory Coast that led to change of regime. The central African government had asked France for military assistance but France has not given a clear response. Surprise attack, quick support The "surprised and silent" French intervention in Mali has rapidly changed the situation in Mali. Most of the Malians celebrated the arrival of French troops; regional military, international diplomatic and logistic support found the French led operation. They flew flags to welcome the EU, UN, AU, and French flags. Hundreds of people have been donating blood every day. The French military is getting direct support from Regional Country and logistical and other support from the US and EU brushing aside all suspucions. More to it, the UN Security Council has given a nod. This surely cannot be compared to Iraq or Afghanistan wars. Even the multi-national African force intervened in the French-backed northern Mali. West African nations have also scrambled their troops, with soldiers from Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Nigeria being mobilized by the African bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The foreign-policy chiefs of the European Union Special Session approved a contingent of several hundred troops to train Mali’s armed forces. EU approved sending 450 to 500 non-combat troops, half of them trainers, to Mali as quickly as possible. The EU picked 50 years old Brigadier General François Lecointre to head the mission. He has served throughout Africa with French forces in Gabon, Ivory Coast, Somalia, Rwanda and the Central African Republic. The mission has a 15-month mandate and will cost €12.3 million. The mission should be formally launched mid-February once final operations plans are agreed. Challenges ahead Challenges are ahead. It might be difficult to set a timeframe. The battle is still under way in the operational area that is just more than the size of France. This kind of military action presents the danger but under these circumstances, French quick operation takes the leadership to a regional military action. French military intervention has blocked rebel fighters advancing from the north and alley force have been retaken some strategical towns from the rebels. Sophisticated and well-trained rebels have suggered heavy losses due to the French effective air power and special ground force operations. Another concern, however, is still unanswered. What if France doesn't achieve its goals? It's not only the Malian and entire regional stability it's far from African territory and expands the global necessary engagement of war on terrorism. French President Hollande has clearly said that the hostage crisis in Algeria is evidend that France's military intervention in Mali is justified. But resolving the crisis and restoring the political and social stability in Mali is not an easy task. Unity and stability will only improve the political, social and economic situation of this poor, land-locked West African country. Complicated political situation, weak administrative and security organ, lack of neutral judiciary system, poverty, ethnic and separatist tensions, drug trafficking, instability, weak social and national institutions, drought and corruption are major problems of Mali. Mali's stability may depend upon some kind of autonomy arrangement for the north (more than half of the territory). Therefore, so many players and power centers have been engaged in Mali's complex and complicated situation. Different interested wings and factions play a vital role of Mali crisis - for instance - extremist Islamist rebels, ethnic rebels, military, politicians, as well as regional and international powers in the country with a population of 15.8 million. The major ethnic groups in Mali are 50 percent Mande, 17 percent Fula, 12 percent Voltaic, 10 percent Tuareg, 6 percent Songhai, and rest 5 percent. Malian economy is highly dependant on gold mining and agricultural exports such as cotton. The country needs political stability and long term plan. Large landlocked territory with an area of 1,240,192 sq km, Mali is the world's 24th largest country. Regional border is another major challenge for security and regional stability. France's military intervention is a final test of the Malian and regional key players. Mali needs power-sharing arrangement, effective leadership, transition back to constitutional order and built Malian Army counter-terrorism capabilities. Source: People Review Weekly, Article)

Challenges ahead : western welfare state

Pramod Raj Sedhain (pramodsedhain@gmail.com) - At a time when most of the European countries have been reeling under economic crisis, France has still remained the world’s fifth-leading economic power and second largest economy in Europe. In recent years, some European countries, including Spain, Greece, Portugal, among others have adopted austerity measures. Despite the economic crisis in the continent, France, however, portrays a uniquely-cherished welfare state able to survive in the capitalist western world. In fact, over the past decade, France lost 700,000 industrial jobs, and the unemployment rate is now at 13-year high of about 10 per cent (compares competitor & main trading partner Germany with 5.4%). But, average wages in France are among the highest in Europe -- 20 per cent higher than Germany since the launch of the euro. French Socialist President Francois Hollande has promised to reduce France’s government deficit to below 3 per cent of economic output by next year from the current 4.5 per cent. Several analysts representing the capitalist countries have warned that France’s economic outlook would deteriorate if it failed to make deep spending cuts like Greece, Italy and Portugal. But, President Hollande is of the opinion that “austerity need not be Europe’s fate.” France has bucked the trend, abandoning austerity and protecting its social model. Despite all these, sustainability of the French welfare remains one of the major challenges to the French Socialist Government. The French government spends an estimated 30 per cent of the nation’s entire economic output on social services. In spite of the debt and deficits mounting, France hasn’t recorded a budget surplus since 1974. The pressure to control these expenses is becoming unbearable. Peeking into the French economy, till date, the policies have created a healthy, well-educated population with stable jobs at companies of international stature and an income level that ranks with the world’s highest. Recently, France’s public debt topped 90 percent of the value of everything produced in the economy in a year, well above the eurozone average of 60 percent (its debt level is not an enormous).French welfare-state programs have become entwined with Western nations’ economies, politics and societies, influencing how people spend and save, work and retire, educate children and care for elderly parents. Socialist government is also worried about France’s future welfare sustainability. This was founded on the noblest intentions -- to foster a more equitable society by ensuring that all, no matter what their social status, had access to the fruits and opportunities offered by an advanced economy – ranging from sound education, proper health care and a worry-free retirement. In many ways, its mission has been realized so far. France’s national health system is considered among the world’s best. Education System: The French government commits substantial resources to education with the goal to improve educational attainment. Some students even receive stipends to cover their rent. Health Care: The government provides free heath care to its citizens under the France’s modern Social Security system developed in 1945-46. The idea was to ensure health care and insurance for everyone to be covered by social insurance schemes or public assistance. Family Insurance System: Each family will receive the certain amount to a child until he/she is 16 years of age. Children with special needs are fully provided with the required amount. The Housing System: The government builds social housing and also provides housing subsidies for families in need. In the 1980’s, mortgage subsidies were introduced, which were intended to encourage home ownership. The Unemployment Insurance: The insurance is covered by a variety of separate insurance schemes. Those who are entitled to unemployment insurance receive 35 per cent of their previous income, among other sectors. Socialization of the economy As said earlier, France, as the world’s fifth-leading economic power & second largest economy in Europe, it has a long record of government nationalization of industry. The leading industrial sectors in France are telecommunications (including satellites), aerospace and defense, ship building (naval and specialist ships), pharmaceuticals, construction and civil engineering, chemicals, textiles, and automobile production. Although substantial progress had been made in the privatization process since the last decade, the government still own industries like aeronautics, defense, automobiles, energy, and telecommunications. The first elected National Assembly between November 1945 to April 1946 - after the Second World War - voted the nationalization of the Bank of France among four large deposit banks, public utilities, coal mines and two thirds of the leading insurance companies. In 1981, when Francois Mitterrand became the Socialist President of the Fifth Republic of France, his government put Socialist measures into the French economy. Mitterrand tried to create both job growth and wage growth by nationalizing some big industries. During that time above nationalized companies had a workforce of 800,000. The nationalization of 1981-82 involved seven of the largest twenty conglomerate industrial companies in France plus another five industrial companies. The iron and steel companies (already state-owned majority shares), electricity, gas, coal, railways and Paris transport; two French airlines were state-owned. By 1983, about one-third of French industries—among the 3,500 companies—came under the state control. However, there was some privatization during 1986–88, later resumed in 1993, with 21 state-owned industries, banks, and insurance companies scheduled to be sold. The successful automaker became a private company again in 1996, although the government retains about 15 per cent of its shares. All these indicate that French economy has been highly socialized. With the development of the European Market, certain nationalization programs as well as other economic reforms initiated by Mitterrand could not succeed as planned. However, challenges persist to keep up the economy high at a time when several European countries are reeling under economic crisis. Now, Mitterrand’s party – the French Socialist Party – is in the government. Obviously, the current circumstance is both an opportunity as well as challenge of the centre-left social-democratic socialist government to protect the country’s legacy, ideologically progressivism and welfare characteristics. (Source - People Review Weekly)

Women trafficking: Booming business
Pramod Raj Sedhain
Are you or a female member of your family planning to go abroad in search of better prospect or a better work? If so, think carefully and think twice before you make such important decision. It has been found in recent years that most of the women who strive to go to foreign countries for employment find themselves being sold by human traffickers. Due to the Nepal-India open border, some agents find women-trafficking a profitable business these days. What appears is that, these agents happen to be crafty fellows, who deceive women of rural areas with their luring stories of how much money they can earn once they go abroad. Eventually several women fall prey to such false stories. Women surrender to men with high hopes and aspirations of going abroad where they believe their life becomes lot much easy.
The main route for women trafficking is the Indian border of Raksaul, from where they are sent to other cities like Mumbai and Delhi. Their fake passports to enter Gulf countries are made in these cities and the agents handover these women to Gulf agents, who are responsible for taking them to their final destination. The agents get handful of money for supplying women and their job ends there. And the dreams of those poor women get shattered when they finally realize that they have not taken as domestic workers but have been sold to some rich elites as sex workers.
Various NGOs have been working in border areas to stop these illegal activities of human flesh but the efforts are simply not enough, and there is a need of more intensive involvement from all sectors of society. Service Awareness Centre and Maiti Nepal are among many organizations involved in border cites to stop women trafficking. Both organizations claim that significant numbers of women have been saved from being sold in the past years. The data of Maiti Nepal says it has saved 232 women in 2008 and 172 women until the month of November alone. But the fact and figures are far smaller than the actual number of women who are trafficked each year. Several meetings between security officials of India and Nepal are held annually to tackle the issue but have so far proved ineffective and the government has failed to address the issue effectively.
There is no accurate statistics on number of women trafficked from Nepal. The country has Human Trafficking Act 2043 to tackle these illegal activities but the government finds itself in a difficult position to implement the act effectively. The then government had even registered the “Human Trafficking Act” on 10th Falgun 2058 BS. The government is well informed about the illegal activities but has done very little to enforce the law.
Daughters go cheaper in Ichok
Interestingly, one finds it difficult to see young girls above ten years in the village of Ichok, which is neatly eight-hour walk from Melamchi bazaar. This small village with Tamang majority lies in a complex geographical position and the people here live in hand-to-mouth situation. Life is hard and what they earn is hardly enough to feed their family for six months. But the bitter truth of this village is that parents here even do not step behind to think before they sell their own young daughters and wives in fulfilling their daily needs. And some men have been trying hard to change that scenario here.
Pasang Tamang has been working to stop local women from being sold since a decade. Those who saw him as a major obstruction in their mission even tried to assault him physically, but that did not stop him. Numbers of girls who spent their lives in household in the village left for what the villagers here call the “big city” Mumbai. Many of them have returned with AIDS or other STDs but the wave of going to the “big city” has not ended yet. They have rather switched over to Gulf States as their destination in recent years. The locals of the village say that the agents have rather started to traffic women in more organized and legal way. They now assist women to make passports and recruit them as domestic helpers for some Middle East countries. Till this date, 20-25 women flock everyday in District Administration Office to make passports. Political interference and protection to the women traffickers has made the situation even worse. It is believed that hundreds and thousands of women abroad are forced to work as sex labors and the consequences they face are beyond one’s imagination. But the government’s effort to stop women trafficking has not been sufficient. The unemployment, expensive life, high price of daily commodities, and the social imbalance due to 13-year long insurgency have forced many women to leave their home behind in quest of money. Although there are handful of organizations that work for rescuing women, lack of coordination between them has not been able to produce significant outcome. Ichok is just one example. Several remote villages of the country share similar stories and with the continuing poverty; this is not likely to stop anywhere soon.
Gulf countries lure Nepalese women
Data shows that about 150,000 women are sold every year in South Asia for forced prostitution. According to independent statistics from different sources, 5-7 thousands Nepali women are among those 150,000 women trafficked for prostitution annually. The survey of World Population Foundation says that more than 100,000 Nepali women have been trafficked to this date and the number is increasing by 10,000 each year. The survey shows among them 75% are generally unmarried girls, 20% married women, and the rest 5% are girls below the age of 15. Another separate study of International Labour Organization further reveals that more than 12,000 Nepali women are sold for prostitution every year. It is estimated that there are currently more than 200,000 Nepali women working in Indian brothels. Similarly, the listing of 26 districts of Nepal as maximum women trafficking region further demonstrates the dire situation. Ironically, the government has no official figure of women who have been rescued and returned back. Furthermore, reestablishing or rehabilitating them in the society has been yet another major challenge. As the agents have started to supply women to other countries, the number of Nepali women in Indian brothels has decreased by 20% in recent years. That is largely because of the hefty sum of money the agents receive from supplying women to other countries than to India. Sources say Nepali women are sold for as much as 75 thousand NRS in India while the agents could double their profit if they are able to supply women to other countries. This has created shortage of Nepali women in India and the price for them has once again soared up.
Experts say poverty, open cultures, and wars are major factors for increased women trafficking and that the problem is epidemic in all South Asian countries. It is clear to all that women trafficking have complex chained networks expanded in many countries. More women are at risk of being potential victims of human trafficking groups unless governments of all South Asian countries do not form common standards to fight the problems.

Mystery behind Kidney Smuggling
Pramod Raj Sedhain
It is believed that the network of kidney smugglers is huge in Nepal. The Indian smugglers are the key players behind kidney smuggling while mobilizing Nepali agents in the country. The agents have time and again gone to Nepali villages asking people to give kidney instead of money but few have been arrested. The villagers are usually taken to India by giving hopes that they could find good jobs. Some do it believing the words of agents while others do it simply for money. Violence has been used on them who refuse to take their kidneys and even to those who have given in consent. But the ignorant villagers who give their kidneys with consent usually do not get the amount of money promised. Besides, the insulting behavior by the agents on the victims after taking out the kidney, beyond words. The price of kidneys rises to 10 times the original price one it reaches to other countries. Several cases of kidney smuggling have come to limelight but the police and the administration have not much to say about it.It has been revealed that a kidney donor gets just a small faction of the money from the smugglers; the large sum goes in the pocket of agents. The kidney sellers are forced to return home with guilt and potential danger of diseases due to unhygienic operation while the smugglers and agents accumulate huge sum of money. It is said that Indian smugglers make NRS 700,000 from a single kidney while just investing NRS 100,000 to buy it. Smuggling of kidneys has not lessened even after the arrest of major Indian kidney smuggler Amit Kumar. He was involved in kidney smuggling in Nepal and is learnt that he had extensive network of agents in the country. But his extradition to India by Nepal Police without sufficient investigation is primarily responsible for continuation of the business by the local agents. A secret camera had earlier caught Amit Kumar saying that major area of his business was in Nepal. The video showed Amit Kumar asking NRS 1,500,000 to his Indian client for delivering kidney. Nepal Police said it is uninformed about the hospital that carryout such operations in Nepal. Ramesh Thapa, a local accomplice of Amit Kumar has fled since Amit’s arrest and the police have no information about his whereabouts. Without proper awareness, enforcement of strict laws and provision of compulsory recommendation to transplant organs, it is most likely that the vicious business of human organs will prosper more than ever.
Madhav Baral of Kavre sold one of his kidneys seven years ago to run his household. But that really did not help to serve his problems. He neither got the amount of money promised for giving his kidney nor the post-medical care after the operation. The agent told him earlier that he would be handed NRs 150,000 for his kidney but he just got NRS 45,000, lot lesser than he was promised. Not only that, the agent physically assaulted him, and returned him back together with the pain of his surgery. He told that the agent beat him severely upon asking for more money. Baral said he has difficulty in working after the operation and has started taking alcohol to ease his abdominal pain. Baral is one among many people who have been a brutal victim of organized human organ smuggling. Similarly, a man who underwent an accident and was taken to the hospital in unconscious state woke up to find one of his kidneys missing. If one believes to what he says, then it clearly illustrates the fact that even the Nepali hospitals and its doctors are some how associated with kidneys smugglers. The small amount of money they have got from selling their kidneys might be sufficient to pay some loans and run their household for sometime, but the psychological torture and physical pain they have received is likely to remain for a long period.
Who is Amit Kumar?
Amit Kumar, an international kidney smuggler, had his wide network in Nepal and India. His targeted victims were generally poor Nepali people whose kidneys were taken out in India to be sold in Australia. It is reported that his networks expanded to 60 countries worldwide. But his major operation center was Australia. Born in 1956 A.D. at Akola, India, Kumar ran a small clinic in Khar until 1980. He was reported to have made contacts with kidney smugglers after 1980s. He had already befriended some Nepali people by 1990 when he started investing in C grade movies. But he was caught by police in 1994 and was put behind bars for 5 months. He opened a hospital in Gurgaun of Hariyana after being released from the prison and started mobilizing agents for kidney smuggle in Nepal and India. He went to Canada after some years and came back to Gurgaun in 1999 again but when the police filed a case against him in 2003, he fled to Canada with his wife and children. The police had arrested him in 2000 and 2001 with allegations of kidney smuggling but was bailed out in both occasions due to lack of evidences. He did not stay there for long; Kumar came back to India for another time in 2007. It had been a while since the case had been filed against him. He might have thought the potential danger has passed and started his business of kidney smuggling once again. It is said that Kumar was sharp minded and that he would transfer his business to province where laws regulations were weak.
How was he caught?
Kumar came to Chitwan in 7th of February 2008 to stay in Hotel Wild Life Camp. The manager of the hotel Shankar Sainju had kept his eyes on him as it occurred to him that he had previously seen Kumar somewhere. Actually, he had seen him in a newspaper, where his news was published with his photo. Sainju recalled that Kumar was in a casual dress up with a blue jeans and a jacket. Hotel staff Maheshwor Regmi had assisted Kumar to take his luggage to his room and gave him a cup of coffee he had ordered. Kumar’s suspicious activity and nervous gesture had prompted the hotel staffs to call police. In a while, a team of Nepal Police raided Kumar’s room, took custody of him. The police also managed to claim cash worth 15 million dollars with different mobile cards of Canada, India, and Nepal from him. But to everyone’s surprise, Kumar was extradited to India after 2 days without further investigation. Sources within the police force said “although Interpol was in search of him and that it was justifiable to extradite him to Indian police, proper investigation should have been made in Nepal, as there were already numbers of charges against him inside the country.” His prompt extradition to India due to pressure from Indian Police had exposed the powerlessness of the government. India’s internal intelligence agency, Central Bureau of Investigation has made investigations in the case but has not revealed anything to Nepal police, which played a key role in capturing the most wanted criminal. The Indian government’s pressure to extradite Amit Kumar has left many hidden secrets of human organ smuggling in Nepal unanswered.

Maoist hit second phase protest

Pramod Raj Sedhain

The Unified CPN-Maoists have hit the streets as part of their second phase of protest programs against what they say "President's unconstitutional move" to reinstate the then army chief. They picketed the District Administration Offices throughout the country. But the former rebels, who were accustomed to carrying guns, adapted to a different method of protest. They sang, danced and enjoyed instead of getting aggressive. +

The general concept was that Maoists are accustomed to guns, bombs and ambush. However, Maoist's method of protest in their second phase of agitation shocked the people. Instead of demonstrating their anger, the Maoists sang and danced to the tunes of folk music on the streets.

The venue seemed like a wedding ceremony. The whole air was filled with music and melodious tunes. There were traditional musical instruments like drums, including maadal and damaha. Even onlookers enjoyed the show on the streets. Most interestingly, it was a ticket-free show. Spectators were young and old; men and women – yet they were merrymaking. More interesting part here was that some school students were busy eating lunch in one corner. An innocent-looking person who was standing nearby was bewildered. He asked what was happening. Pat came the reply from one of the audiences -- "This is a protest against the President's move...this is an agitation to establish civilian supremacy in the country."

Other than songs and dances, there were poems filled with sarcasm and there were parodies as well. But what were they doing in front of the district administration office? The answer is simple: Barring the employees to enter the office as part of their protest program. Vehicles were stranded. General public were seen taking different routes to reach to their destinations. There were hardships. However, Maoists cadres were singing to the tunes of their party leadership of civilian supremacy.

An old woman was trapped in the crowd. She was shouting but her voice went unheard. Our unit tried to catch the scene of the old woman. But some Maoist comrades shouted at out crew and threatened them to pack up. Our team was helpless before them. Vulnerable journalist defended themselves saying that they did not shoot the scene. There are more incidences. This is just an example!

Maoist Internal Strategy

Pramod Raj Sedhain

he relation between Nepal's largest party -- the Unified CPN-Maoist -- and India has at all times come under controversy. The reason: Maoists top brass have recurrently blamed India for the turmoil in Nepal. More than this, they often accuse India of meddling in Nepal's internal affairs, which India denies. This, they argue, has adversely affected in the government formation process. The issue of Indian interference, as Maoists leaders claim, has hindered Nepal's peace process. However, unlike India, Maoist's relationship with the northern neighbor, China has been something atypical. Be it the episode of Maoist's demand of hefty amount to "purchase" lawmakers or the China trip of Maoist combatants – both these episodes have proved that the Maoists share unusual relationship with China.

Now that, the most recent bit of information acquired by this channel has revealed that the Maoists are preparing for a final revolt and that too with all sorts of assistance from the northern neighbor. The latest information acquired by this writer proves that the Maoists have sought Chinese assistance to wage a final and decisive revolt once again.

This shows that the largest party in the Constituent Assembly is preparing for a decisive war to establish their regime. Despite the fact that the Maoists 'used' the Indian soil during their underground decade-long what they call "People's War", they tilted towards the north after joining the mainstream politics. A report, submitted to party Supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal by some Maoist leaders, shows that they are making preparations for a final war in the country.

The report had highlighted that they need Chinese support to wage a final war in Nepal. It should be noted that an eleven-member Maoist delegation had visited China between 2067 Asar 15th to 25th to seek support from China. During the visit, the Maoist leaders had informed the Chinese side of their decisive war in Nepal. However, the report does not mention anything about the Chinese version on the issue. The 9-page report signed by Maoist Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha has several pictures of the Maoist leaders' visit to China and their meetings with various Chinese leaders. Shrestha had led the delegation. The point number 4 of the report says that the Maoists have sought Chinese support to wage a final revolt in Nepal. The report also states that India has barred the Maoists to lead the government in Nepal. Similarly, according to the report, the Chinese side has assured of providing a web-server space, radio and television equipment, among others. The report also states that the Maoists discussed with the Chinese side to suppress the Tibetan movement in Nepalese soil.

The Maoist leaders had a three-hour long discussion with the Chinese side, according to the report submitted to party Chairman Dahal. This has explicitly exposed the Maoist's relationship with China. The report has also raised dissatisfaction over the dissolution of the Communes in China. Such a secret report has tried to drag power countries like India and China to in Nepal's internal affairs, which is sure to adversely affect Nepal's sovereignty.

Shobraj & crime - identical

Pramod Raj Sedhain

The Supreme Court rejected an appeal by convicted killer Charles Sobhraj over the murder of an American backpacker. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of US tourist Connie Jo Bronzich in 1975. Sobhraj has been serving term for the past seven years. Supreme Court Justices Ram Kumar Prasad Shah and Gauri Dhakal said that the verdict on the case will be announced after two weeks -- that is -- on July 30. Sobhraj was arrested by Nepal Police while he came to visit Nepal and was sentenced to life imprisonment on August 12, 2004.
Nicknamed "Serial Killer" and "Bikini Killer"
The 'bikini-killer' linked to murders throughout Asia, Charles Shobraj is a popular, yet disliked name for his heinous crime. Serial-killer Sobhraj has been an annoyance to many, especially to the police when it comes to his deceptive disguises, murder tactic and escaping from the jails. Throughout his criminal career, Sobhraj either escaped from jail or bribed the authorities to treat him preferentially while in prison. His knack for deceptive disguises, coupled with his tendency to target young women earned him the nickname, "The Serpent," or the "Bikini Killer." Sixtyfour-year old Sobhraj is also believed to have escaped from prisons in Afghanistan, Greece, Iran and India. So extraordinary has been his life of crime that after being released from jail in India - where he served a 20 year sentence for poisoning a busload of French tourists - the film and book rights were reportedly sold to a French actor-producer for 15m US dollars. Rejection by his father was an act which caused considerable resentment and bitterness in the young Sobhraj. His tactic, say his critics, was always the same. Between 1972 to 1982, Sobhraj has been implicated in more than 20 killings in which the victims were drugged, strangled, beaten or burned. His capacity for violence, critics say, is matched only by his ability to escape from prison. In 1971, he escaped from jail in India by feigning appendicitis and making his getaway from hospital. He was re-arrested in 1976, but 10 years later made an even more audacious escape: this time by throwing a birthday party in which guards and prisoners alike were invited. Grapes and biscuits handed around the guests were secretly injected with sleeping pills, knocking out everyone except Sobhraj and four other escapees. He often said as long as he can talk to people, he can manipulate them. As a fugitive, Sobhraj is reported to have behaved more like a holidaying student than a desperate prisoner prepared to stop at nothing to evade justice. He openly drank in bars and showed off an Italian made pistol to fellow drinkers. Needless to say, it was not long before he was re-arrested. But, it is alleged, there was a method in his madness. Critics say that he deliberately escaped towards the end of his 10 year jail term in order to be re-captured and face new charges for his escape. That way he could avoid extradition to Thailand where he was wanted for five murders and would almost certainly be given the death penalty. By the time of his release in 1997, the 20 year time-frame for him to be tried in Bangkok had lapsed. But the authorities caught up with him again several years later. In 2003, he was arrested in a Kathmandu casino for allegedly travelling on a false passport and for murders of a Canadian man and an American woman which he allegedly carried out 28 years ago. As in the other cases registered against him, Sobhraj denied the charges. But this time, police said they had a "suitcase full" of evidence against him. And the judge agreed, despite Sobhraj's appeal that he had been convicted without proof or witnesses. Sobhraj, a French national, was sentenced to life by a Nepalese court in August after holding him guilty of murdering American woman Konizo Brohich here in December 1975.

The Victims:

1975 - Teresa Knowlton (Seattle) - Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Jennie Bollivar (America) - Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Vitali Hakim (Sephardic Jew) - Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Henk Bintanja, 29 (Dutch student) -Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Cornelia Hemker, 25 (Dutch student) - Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Charmayne Carrou (Hakim’s girlfriend) - Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Laurent Ormond Carriere, 26 (Canada) - Kathmandu, Nepal

1975 - Connie Bronzich, 29 (California) - Kathmandu, Nepal

1975 - Avoni Jacob (Israeli student) – Calcutta, India

1975 - Jean-Luc Solomon (France) – Delhi, India

Arrested:

1963 – Paris – burglary1969 – Paris - evading police in a stolen vehicle

1973 – Delhi - armed robbery1973 – Afghanistan – robbery

1975 – Greece – robbery1976 – New Delhi - murder (Solomon)

1986 – Goa – jailbreak

2003 – Kathmandu, Nepal – murder (Carriere and Bronzich)Jails escaped by Charles Shobraj· French prison in 1969
· A hospital in India 1971
· Afghanistan prison in 1972
· Iranian prison in 1973
· Greece prison in 1975
· Tihad Jail (India) 1986

Nepalese language: A passion in lebanon Pramod Raj Sedhain (after returning from Lebanon)
Never in history has Nepal remained under anybody's dominance and control. Even the East India Company could not influence the Nepalese territory. And this has been a matter of pride to every Nepali. Since time immemorial, Nepalese people lived in dignity, harmony and honor and have been the same today as well. Even today, Nepal's flag flutters in a foreign land, Nepalese army holds their heads high with pride and the Nepali language sprinkles love, affection and passion. Love for Nepali language is immense even in a foreign land.

However, in recent times in the country, certain elements are making efforts to bring about fracas among different groups in the name of ethnicity and religion thus disrupting the age-old cultural as well as religious harmony. Some elements are even trying to impose their own ideology. Such tendencies have fuelled ethnic clashes. However, the Nepalese flag, culture and language have influenced people in various countries, including Lebanon. Nepal is the land of the world's highest peak, the Mt. Everest and is blessed with fortunes.

Unfortunately, arguments for and against changing the national flag is currently underway. That is not all. The issue of language is equally dragged into controversy. Parties and certain elements are making efforts to eliminate other languages, religion and culture, which can be dubbed a conspiracy to disintegrate the national harmony and unity.

The feelings and love of Nepali language could be easily seen when three youths of various occupations in Lebanon started their conversation in fluent Nepali language. A citizen of Lebanon named Karim Alaiyan but is commonly known as "Nepali Maila". This youth has neither visited Nepal, but is very much accustomed to Nepalese culture, tradition, geography and speaks Nepali language fluently. Sometimes, even the Nepalese peacekeepers get startled when Nepali Maila starts his conversation in Nepali language with them. Upon seeing a new Nepali recruit, Nepali Maila moves forward to shake his hands with him saying, "Namaskar, k chha haalkhabar?" (Greetings, how are you?). He instantly says, "My name is 'Maila' and I am from Pokhara." He, however, constantly reveals that he is a local of Lebanon but loves Nepal and Nepali language. He adds that he likes to introduce himself as "Nepali Maila." That is not all. This 37-year old married youth even sings typical Nepali folk songs in a typical Nepali way. His favorite folk numbers include – "Mayalu ko chitthi aayena, Khaau bhane suntali paani, Laibari lai…" among others. Interestingly, the Nepali Army peacekeepers gave the nickname of "Nepali Maila" to this innocent Lebanese.

Alaiyan, who works as a chef at the canteen of Nepalese peacekeepers since 1990, is the second son of his parents. He is so confident that he has been demanding the job of an interpreter. This "Nepali Maila" has spent three years in England.

Similarly, Danish army official Henrick, too, speaks Nepali language. "I like Nepali language and I love Nepal," he says. Like Henrick and Nepali Maila, two other Lebanese people, including a traffic police and a businessman are equally fluent in Nepali language. Businessman Ahamad Ali speaks in Nepali while dealing with Nepalese peacekeepers.

Back in Nepal, the national language, nationality and integrity have come under serious threat. Stakeholders, however, seem to be least bothered. Isn’t it high time that all concerned take lesson and get influence from a foreigner like "Nepali Maila".

खसीबोका र चेलिबेटीको व्यापार उस्तै

प्रमोदराज सेढाई
के तपाई या तपाईको परिवारबाट कोही चेलिबेटी भारत हुँर्दै तेस्रो देश जाने तयारीमा हुनुहुन्छ त्यसो हो भने सावधान एकपटक सोच्नुहोस कतै तपाई या तपाईकी चेली कमाई होइन नारकीय जीवन विताउन बाध्य बन्लान । अनि दलालको प्रलोभनमा परेर विदेश जान हिडेका चेली कमाई खान नभएर खसीबोकासरह बेचिएला नि । अहिले खुल्ला सीमानाको फाइला उठाउँदै तस्करको आँखा भारतबाट तेस्रो देशमा पुर् याउनेतर्फ आकर्षित भएको छ । गाउँका सोझा युवतीलाई पर्याप्त रकम कमाइने लोभमा पारेर मात्र होइन विवाह गरेको बाहना गरेर होस् या प्रेमको नाटक गरेर अथवा रोजगारीको लोभमा पारेर पराईलाई सुम्पनेहरु बढेका छन् । कुनै आधिकारीक निकायबाट नभई भारतबाट विदेशीने लोभमा परेका चेलीहरु अन्तत नारकीय जीवन भोग्न बाध्य बन्ने गरेका छन् । ऋणधन गरेर बल्लतल्ल गएका चेलीहरु विदेशिएपछि बेसहारा बन्ने गरेका छन् । दलालले अहिले सीमावर्ती शहर रक्सौलबाट रेलमार्फत दिल्ली मुम्बई पुर् याई त्यहाँ रकम सटही गरेपछि यु।ए।ई। कतार कुवेत ईराक साउदी अरव लगायतका देशमा घरेलु कामदारको रुपमा पठाउने गरेका छन् । घरेलु कामदार भनेपनि अन्तत यौन पेशा अगाल्न बाध्य हुने गरेका छन् । दलालहरुले नेपालबाटै र नभएपनि भारतबाट नक्कली पास्रपोर्ट बनाउँछन् र भारत पुर् याएपछि त्यहाँ आएका खाडी देशका दलालहरुको जिम्मा लगाएर मोटो रकम लिएर नेपाल फर्कनछन । अनि पुन अन्य चेलीको खोजी गर्ने तयारीमा जुट्छन । हुन त सीमावर्ती क्षेत्रमा विभिन्न संंघ। संस्थाहरुले नेपाली चेलीहरुलाई विदेशिनबाट रोक्ने पहल नगरेका होइनन तर त्यो पर्याप्त बन्न सकेको छैन । भारतको सीमावर्ती शहर रक्सौलस्थित सेवा सतर्कता केन्द्रले रेल तथा बसहरुमा नियमित चेक जाच गरी नेपाली चेलीहरुलाई बिदेशिनबाट रोकी उद्दार गरी नेपाल पठाएको संस्थाका निर्देशक सुमन पासवानको भनाई छ । बीरगंज रक्सौलको सिमावर्ती क्षेत्र ईनर्वामा गैर सरकारी संंस्था माईती नेपालले पनि नेपाली चेलीहरुलाई विदेशिन नदिन कर्मचारी खटाएको छ । माईती नेपालले सन २००८ मा २३२ जना यस वर्ष अक्टोवरसम्म १७६ जना चेलिको उद्दार गरिसकेको जनाएको छ । माईती नेपाल बीरगंज अध्यावधिक गृह प्रमुख संगीता पुरी रोजगारको प्रलोभनमा परेका युवतीहरु फस्ने गरेको बताउनुहुन्छ । नेपाल भारतका सुरक्षाअधिकारीहरुको बैठक पटक पटक बसेपनि व्यवहारमा भने कार्यान्वयन हुन सकेको छैन । जसका कारण बेचविखनको व्यथा उस्तै छ । भारतमा नेपाली चेलीले भोग्नुपरेको दर्दनाक अवस्थाको नाटक कथा र साहित्यहरु धेरै कोरिएपनि यो रोक्न र बेचिएकालाई उद्दार गर्न सरकारले ठोस पहल गर्न सकेको छैन । नेपाली चेलीहरुको मात्र कहाँ हो र कलिला बालबालिका समेत भारत पुर् याइने गरिएको छ ।
मोलमोलाई भारत गन्तव्य खाडी
कति बालिकाहरु नेपालबाट बेचिए या चोरिए भन्ने एकिन तथ्यांक छैन । पसा्र प्रहरी प्रमुख सुवोध घिमिरे सीमावर्ती क्षेत्रमा प्रहरीले चेलीबेटी बेचबिखन रोक्न सकि्रय रहेको र सफलता मिलेको दाबी गर्नुहुन्छ । मानव बेचबिखन तथा ओसार पसार अपराधलाई प्रभावकारी रुपमा नियन्त्रण गर्न विशेष ऐनको रुपमा जीउ मास्ने बेच्ने कार्य ऐन २०४३ को प्रावधानलाई जोगाउन नै सरकारलाई गाह्रो पर् यो । यो अवस्थामा तत्कालिन सरकारलॆ जीउ मास्ने बेच्ने कार्य विधेयक२०५८ फागुन १० गते तत्कालिन संसद्मा दर्ता सम्म गर् यो । गैर कानुनी रुपमा भारत हुदै खाडी देश पुर् याउने नयाँ बाटोबारे सरकार जानकारी भएपनि कानमा तेल हालेर बसेको छ ।
जस्ताभन्दा सस्ता छोरी
मेलम्ची । यो नाम सँग अपरिचित कमै होलान् । यही मेलम्ची बजारबाट करिव आठ घण्टाको पैदल दुरीमा रहेको छ इचोक गाउँ । अझै पनि यो गाउँमा दश बर्षभन्दा माथि २०- २२ बर्षसम्मका युवती भेट्टाउन मुस्किल पर्छ । छोरी बेचेर जस्ताले घर छाउने बाउआमा यहाँ धेरै छन् । तामाङ समुदायको बस्ती अत्यन्तै विकट बाटो र बर्षभरि मेहनत गर्दा छ महिनासम्म पनि जहान बच्चा पाल्न धौ धौ हुने बाध्यता । अभिभावकहरु आपुना नानीहरुलाई विद्यालयभन्दा बढी गोठालो र खेतालो पठाउन रुचाउँछन् । उमेर पुगेपछि आफ्नै छोरी र पत्नी समेत बेच्ने अभिभावक यहाँ छन् । इचोक गाउँको परिचय यही हो । तर कलंक मेटाउन यहाँका केही युवा बर्षौंदेखि संघर्ष गरिरहेका छन् । तर चुनौति कम छैन् ।
पाल्साङ तामाङ । चेलिवेटी वेचविखन रोक्न यिनी एक्लै लागेको एकदशक नाघेको छ । यो बीचमा तामाङ्लाई खुकुरी हान्न खोज्नेहरु पनि धेरै देखिए । मामा-चेला फुफुचेल्ाी विवाह गर्नुपर्ने समुदायमा जन्मेका पाल्साङले शुरुका केही बर्ष गाउँमा केटी नपाएर विवाह नै गरेनन् । अहिले पाल्साङलाई साथ दिने धेरै छन् । यो गाउँबाट घाँस दाउरा गर्न जंगल गएका धेरै युवती चरनमा रहेको गाईबस्तु र डोको नाम्लो जंगलमै छाडेर ठूलो शहर पुगेका छन् । इचोकमा मुम्बईलाई ठूलो शहर भनेर चिन्ने धेरै छन् । गाउँबाट चेली हराउँछन् । मुम्वईलगायतका शहरबाट फर्केका धेरै युवती गाउँमै एड्स लागेर मरेका छन् । थुप्रै युवती एड्सका विरामी छन् । यति हुँदाहुँदै पनि गाउँबाट युवती हराउने क्रम रोकिएको छैन् । गाउँमा आएको समान्य चेतनाले युवतीहरु बम्वईको सट्टा खाडी मुलुक जान थालेका छन् । र यसको असर आसपासको गाउँमा परेको छ । स्थानीय अगुवाहरु युवतीलाई दलालले वैध बाटोबाट पासपोर्ट बनाएर कुवेत कतार लगायतका देशमा लैजाने गरेको दृष्टान्त सुनाउँछन् । संघसंस्थाको निगरानी बढेपछि दलालले बाटो फेरेका छन् । अहिले पनि दिनहँु २० २५ जना युवतीले जिल्ला प्रशासन कार्यलय चौताराबाट पासपोर्ट बनाउने गरेका छन् । हरेक क्षेत्रमा देखिएको राजनीतिक हस्क्षेप र संरक्षणका कारण गाउँमा दलालको मनोवल बढेको हो । यही गाउँ हो जहाबाट गरिवी र अभाव सहन नसकी कुवेत पुगेकी डोल्मा शेप्ार्ा अहिले उद्धारका पर्खाइमा कुवेतको जेलमा थुनिएकी छन् । थाहा छैन यो क्रम यसैगरी मौलाउँदै र संगठित हँुदै जाने हो भने कति डोल्माहरु खाडी मुलुकमा जेल्ामा थुनिने छन् । यो बिडम्बना पूर्ण घटना रोक्न गम्भीर बन्नुपर्ने सरकारले इचोक ज्ास्तो बत्तिमुनिको अँध्यारो बस्तीमा कहिले चेतनाको दियो बल्ला अहिलेको पर्खाइ यही नै हो । हिमकन्याको ब्यापारमा नेपालले विश्वमै कुख्याती कमाएको छ । नेपाल सरकार आफ्ना नागरिक प्रति गम्भिर नभएकै कारण यो समस्या उब्जिएको हो । आँखाभरि ठूलाठुला सपना र जीवनका रहरलाग्दा अकांक्षा बोकेर शहर पुगेका धेरै युवती अन्जानमै बेचिने गरेका छन् । बढ्दो महंगी बेरोजगारी समस्या सामाजिक बिचलन र ११ बर्ष सम्म चलेको द्धन्दले गर्दा धेरै युवतिले घर छाड्ने क्रम अहिलेसम्म रोकिएको छैन । बेचिएका र बेचिने संजालमा फसेका महिलालाई उद्धार गर्ने नाराका साथ यहाँ अस्ांख्य गैरसरकारी संस्था खुलेका छन् । तर एउटै लक्ष र उद्देश्य बोकेका संस्थाकाबीचमा समन्वय हुन सकेको छैन । विभिन्न अनुसन्धानले देखाए अनुसार नेपालबाट युवती बेचविखन हुने सजिलो थलो अहिले क्याविन रेष्टुरेण्ट र गेष्टहाउस बनेका छन् । दैनिक ग्राहकको रुपमा क्याविन रेष्टुरेण्ट तथा रात्रीक्लवमा जाने र विभिन्न प्रलोभन देखाएर युवतीलाई तेस्रो मुलुक पुर् याउने गिरोह पनि अहिले राजधानीमा पनि कृयाशिल रहेको छ । यसअघि छिमेकी मुलुक भारतमा बेचिने नेपाली युवती अहिले श्रमिकका नाममा खाडी मुलुकमा बेचिन थालेका छन् । दलालले पासपोर्ट बनाएर वैध रुपमै महिला बेच्न थालेका छन् । इचोक मात्र हैन इचोक ज्ास्ता अनगन्ति बस्ती छन् । रसुवा धादिङ नुवाकोट काभ्रेका विकट ठाउँ पनि चेलिबेटी बेचविखनबाट प्रभावित छन् । समाजमा गरिबी बढेपछि यस्ता विकृति सामान्य हुने निश्चित छ । तर मान्छेको खसीबोकासरह विक्री भएको दृश्यले न सरकारलाई तातो लागेको छ न संघसंस्थाहरुको काम प्रभावकारी बन्न सकेको छ ।
दक्षिण एशियामा शरीर बेच्नेको बिगबिगी
दक्षिण एसियामा वेश्यावृत्तिका लागि वार्षिक डेढ लाख महिला बेचिने गरेको तथ्यांक छ । विभिन्न तत्थ्याङ्क अनुसार प्रति वर्ष पाँच देखि सात हजारसम्म नेपाली महिलाहरु बेचबिखनको शिकार हुने गरेका छन् । अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय श्रम संगठनले गरेको अध्ययन अनुसार प्रति वर्ष बाह्र हजार नेपाली महिला मानव बेचविखन तथा ओसार पसारका शिकार भइरहेका छन् । अहिले दुई लाखभन्दा बढी नेपाली चेली भारतीय वेश्यालयमा नारकीय जीवन बिताउन बाध्य रहेको अनुमान छ । वेश्यालयबाट उद्दार गरिएकाहरु समेत समाजमा पुर्नस्थापित हुन कठिन हुने गरेको छ । यस्ाले आत्महत्या समेत बढाएको छ । नेपालमा बार्षिक कति चेलीको उद्दार गरिएभन्नेबारे सरकारी तथ्यांक छैन । कानुनी मात्र होइन चेलेबेटी बेचबिखनको अपराधको मानवता बिरुद्वको अपराध पनि हो । यस्तो कार्यले प्राथमिकता पाउनु नेपाल र नेपालीको कलंक पनि हो । बिश्व जनसंख्या कोषले निकालेको तथ्याङक अनुसार भारतमा मात्र झण्डै १ लाख नेपाली युवती बेचिएका छन् र यो संख्या वर्षेनी १० हजारको दरले बढ्दो छ । बेचिएका ७५ प्रतिशत महिला अविवाहित हुने गरेका छन् भने २० प्रतिशत विवाहित र ५ प्रतिशत १५ वर्ष मुनिका रहेको चेलीबेटी बेचबिखनसम्बद्व संघसंस्था र सरकारको अनौपचारिक तथ्यांक छ । त्यस्तै नेपालमा अत्यधिक चेलिबेटी बेचबिखन हुने भनेर २६ जिल्ला सूचीकृत हुनुले पनि नेपाल चेलीबेटी बेचबिखनमा बद्नाम भएको बुझ्न कठिन छैन । भारतको प्रमुख यौन नगरी मुम्बईमा ६० प्रतिशतभन्दा बढीको संख्यामा पुगेका नेपाली चेलीहरुको संख्या अहिले तेस्रो देशमा तस्करी बढेपछि ४० को हाराहारीमा मात्र आएको अनुमान गरिएको छ । नेपाली चेलीहरु मुम्बईको चर्चि बेश्यालयहरु कमाठीपुरा शुक्लाजाजी स्ट्रीट ग्य्राण्डरोड भिवण्डी नेरुल लगायतका रेड लाइट एरियामा भन्दा तेस्रो देशमा नेपाली चेलीको बेचबिखन गर्दा झण्डै दोब्बर आउने भएपछि तेस्रो देशमा जान थालेका छन् । मुम्बईमा मात्र होइन पुना लगायतका स्थानमा पनि नेपाली चेलीले वर्षौंदेखि दर्दनाक जीवन विताइरहेका छन् । अझ १८ वर्षभन्दा पनि कम उमेरका नेपाली चेलीबेटीहरु राखिएका छन् या तस्करी गरिएका छन् । विश्वमा बढ्दो खुला संस्कृति र द्वन्द्वका कारण मानव वेचविखन बढेको हो । यो समस्या नेपालमा मात्रै नभएर दक्षिण एशिया मै प्रकोपाका शैलीमा बढेको छ । नेपाल त झन महिला र बालबालिका वेचविखन हुने अग्रणी देश मानिन्छ । एउटा चेलीबाट भारतीयले पाँच वर्षमा २० देखि २५ लाखसम्म कमाउने भएपनि त्यहा बेचिएका नेपाली चेली भने धेरैमा ७५ हजारसम्ममा विक्री हुन्छन् । भारतमा पाँच वर्षअघि जम्मा ४० हजारको हाराहारीमा भएपनि अहिले तेस्रो देशमा लाने क्रम बढेपछि भारतमा नेपाली चेलीको मूल्य बढेको जनाइएको छ । अझ दुखद कुरा त के छ भने यौन व्यवसायमा फसाइएका युवती उद्दारपछि पनि घर फर्केर पुनस्र्थापित हुन निकै कठिन हुने गर्दछ । स्रोतहरुका अनुसार मुम्बईमा धेरै नेपाली युवतीले कोठी चलाएर नेपाली युवतीलाई यौन व्यवसायमा लगाइरहेका छन् । नेपाली चेलिबेचबिखन गर्ने प्रमुख गिरोह आफु सोझै डिल नगर्ने र दलालीलाई कमिसनबाट नेपाली चेली ल्याउन लाउने भएकाले सधैं सुरक्षित बनेका छन् ।

मृगौला तस्करीको नालीबेली

प्रमोदराज सेढाई
कसैको जीवन सुरक्षित हुने मृगौलाको तस्करी गर्नेको अहिले बिगबिगी छ । नेपालबाट भारत पुर् याउने र त्यहाँबाट तेस्रो देशमा मृगौला पुर् याउने गरिएको छ । मृगौला तस्करीको अपरम्पार जालोले अहिले नेपाललाई पनि गाज्न थालेको छ । गाउँ गाउँमा मृगौला बेच्न प्रलोभन दिने दलालीहरु बढेका छन् तर त्यसमा संलग्नहरु पक्राउ पर्न सकेका छैनन । तर स्वचेछाले मृगौला बेच्नेहरुलाई समेत नत भनेजति रकम दिइन्छ अझ दलालीले तस्करले दिएको जति रकम पनि बीच बाटोमै खाइदिने गरेका छन् । त्यसतिमात्र होइन मृगौला झिकेपछिको दूव्र्यबहार त भनिनसकनु छ । नेपालबाट सस्तोमा मृगौला खरिद गरी १० गुणा बढीमा बेचबिखन गर्ने गरिएको छ । नेपालबाट रोजगार लगाइदिने लगायत बिभिन्न बहानामा भारत लगि किड्नी झिक्ने गरिएको छ भने केहीले आर्थिक अभावका कारण स्वइच्छाले मृगौला बेच्ने गरेका छन् । बलजफती मृगौला झिकिएकाहरुको त कुनै छाडौं स्वइच्छाले मृगौला बेच्न जानेहरुलाई समेत भनेजती रकम त दिइदैन नै उल्टै कुटपीट र दूव्र्यबहार गरेर पठाइन्छ । आर्थिक प्रलोभनमा परेर मृगौला बेच्न जानेहरु भारतीयको अपमानले सधै आत्माग्लानीमा पर्दछन् । शुरुमा आर्थिक अभाव झेलेको समुदायमा दलालहरु छिरी बिभिन्न प्रलोभनमा पारेपछि किड्नी बेच्न राजी गराएर भारत लाने गर्दछन । अझ केही दलालले त काठमाडौंदेखी नै बिहोस गराएर भारत छिराउँछ्न । यसरी भारत कटाउदा समेत नेपालको सुरक्षा निकाय बेखबर हुन्छ । नेपालमा किड्नी खरिदका लागि भने भारतीय तस्करहरुले नेपालीलाई नै लगाउने गर्दछन् । तर यस्ता तस्करहरु गाउँ गाउँमा पुगेर तस्करी साजाल बढाउँदा समेत प्रहरी किन बेखबर बनिरहेको छ । नेपाली दलाललाई नी के भयो र एकजना मान्छेको किड्नी भारतीयको हातमा दियो भने २०÷२५ हजार ज्याला र बाँकी उसको हातमा राखीदिएको १ लाख देखी १ लाख ५० हजार सम्ममा मृगौला बेच्नेलाई जतिमा मिलाउन सक्यो बाँकी नगद आउने नै भयो । तर दलालहरुले किड्नी बिक्रेताको हातमा २० देखी बढीमा ६० हजारमात्र थमाउने र बाँकी आफै खाइदिन्छन् । किड्नी बिच्ने गहीरो आत्मग्लानी र नयाँ रोग बोकेर फर्कन्छ भने दलाल र तस्कर त्यसैबाट मालामाल हुने गरेको छ । अझ भारतीय किड्नी तस्करले त १ लाखमा खरिद गरेको मृगौला ७ लाख देखी १८ लाखसम्ममा बेच्ने गर्दछन् । मृगौलाको भारतीय तस्करी साजाल अष्ट्रेलिया सम्म पुग्छ र त्यहाँबाट अमेरिका बेलायत जर्मनी टर्की गि्रस लगायत ५५ देशमा फिजीएको छ । यी गिरोहहरु गरिबबाट मृगौला खरिद गर्ने र धनीलाई १० गुणा बढीमा बेचबिखन गर्ने गर्दछन् । दलालले पनि गाउँ छिर्दा अनेक बहाना बनाउने र नाम समेत झुक्याउने गर्दछन् । पक्राउ पछि नेपाल प्रहरीले भारतीय प्रहरीलाई सुम्पेका कुख्यात मृगौला तस्कर अमितकुमार पछि पनि नेपालीको किड्नी दलालीले बेचेको बेच्यै छन् । अमितकुमारको मुख्य किड्नी व्यापार गर्ने ठाँउ भने नेपालमै थियो तर प्रहरीले नेापलमा भएको अपराध बारे कुनै अनुसन्धान नै नगरी भारतीय गुप्तचर प्रहरीको जिम्मा लगाएको थियो । उनलाई पक्राउ परेपनि उनका सहयोगी नेपालीहरु अहिलेसम्म प्रहरी फन्दामा नपरेकाले पनि नेपालबाट हुने मृगौला तस्करी अझै रोकिन सकेको छैन । भारतको एक टेलिभिजनले गोप्यक्यामेरामा कैद गरिएको रेकर्डमा अमितकुमारले आफुले नेपालबाटै किड्नीको कारॊबार गर्ने गरेको जनाएका थिए । उनले आफैले नेपालबाट भारतीयको किड्नी फेरिदिने र त्यसवापत १५ लाख रुपैंया दिनुपर्ने जनाएका थिए । तर काठमाडौंको कुन अस्पतालमा त्यस्तो कारोबार भइरहेको छ यसबारेमा प्रहरीले कुनै अनुसन्धान अघि बढाएको छैन । अभियुक्तलाई बुझाएर अनुसन्धान गर्न बाध्य प्रहरीको त कुनै छाडौं उनका एक सहयोगी त नेपालमा समेत उनीसंगै रहेर पनि फरार भए उनका नेपाल एजेन्ट रमेश थापा कहाँ भागे अनि अहिले उनको अनुसन्धान के भइरहेको छ । यीमात्र होइन उनका भाई जीवन अमितकुमारका नेपाली सहयोगी पङकज झालाई तत्काल पक्राउ गरेर अनुसन्धान नगरेसम्म नेपालमा हुने किड्नी तस्करी रोकिने छैन । किड्नी तस्करले किन नेपालबाट तस्करी गरिरहेका छन् त तरल राजनीतिमा तस्कर राज रोक्न सबै उकजुट हुनु जरुरी छ ।अझ रहस्य त के छ भने नेपालमा घाइते भएका यी किशोरको त अस्पतालमै लट्ठीएकै बेला मृगौला चोरी भयो । उनलाई मोटरसाइकलले ठक्कर दिएर घाइते भएपछि प्रहरीले अस्पताल त पुर् याएको थियो । तर खुट्टाको चोट मात्र होइन दलालले किड्नी समेत चोरिदिएछ । यसरी नेपालकै अस्पतालबाटै मृगौला चोरी हुन थालेकाले पनि नेपालमा तस्करी जालो कसरी फैलिएकेा छ भनी अनुमान लगाउन कुनै कठिन छैन । सावधान तस्करीको जालो गाउँ घरमा मात्र होइन अस्पतालमा समेत फैलिइसकेको छ । यसतर्फ सम्बन्धीत निकायको सर्तकता खाँचो छ । भारतमा कुख्यात मृगौला तस्कर अमितकुमारको अस्पतालमा आधा दर्जन नेपालीले काम गरेको रहस्य खुल्नुले पनि नेपामा मृगौला तस्कर र दलालको संख्यामा कमी छैन भन्न सकिन्छ । नेपालबाट हुने मानव अंगहरुको अबैध कारोबार रोक्न कडा कानुन सचेतना र मानवअंग प्रत्यारोपण गराउँदा अनिवार्य सिफारिस गर्ने व्यबस्था तत्काल नगर्ने हो भने मृगौला तस्करीको अपरम्पार जालो नेपालमा फिजीन धेरै दिन लाग्ने छैन ।
किड्नी बेच्नेको बिलौना
काभ्रेका माधब बरालले ७ वर्ष पहिले दलालीमार्फत घर चलाउन आफ्नो किड्नी बेचेपनि किड्नी बेचेदेनखी उनको मुहारमा खुसी छाउन सकेको छैन । दलालीले अनेक प्रलोभन देखाएपनि किड्नी बेचेपछि नत दलालीले उनलाई भनेजति रकम दियो नत औषधि उपचार नै । १ लाख ५० हजार नगर उपलब्ध गराउने आश्वासन दिएको दलालले काठमाडौंबाटै उनलाई लट्ठाएर भारत कटाएर मृगौला निकालेपछि बल्ल बल्ल ४५ हजार हाता लाग्यो उनलाई । राजन नामको दलालले उनलाई गाउँबाट काठमाडौं हुँदै भारतसम्म पुर् याएको उनी बताउँछन् । २ लाखको लोभमा परेर किड्नी बेच्न गएका यी युवाले भनेजति रकम त पाएनन पाएनन सल्यकि्रयाको पीडासंगै उल्टो दलालीको कुटाई खाएर फर्के । झापा घर बताउने दलालले उनलाई भारतमा लगेर किड्नी झ्किेर बेच्न लगाएको थियो । यीनलाई सिलगुडी आएपछि भनेजति रकम भएन भनी पैसा थपको आग्रह गर्दा रामधुलाई खानुपर् यो । अहिले काम गर्न निकै कठिन भएकोले व्यर्थमा मृगौला बिचेकोमा बिलौना गरेका छन र आफुजस्तै कसैले यस्तो संकट भोग्न नपरोस भनी कामना गर्दछन् । अहिले उनी रक्सी खाएर दुखाई कम गराइरहेका छन् । यी महिलाले पनि ५ वर्ष अघि परिवार पाल्न कठिन भएकाले मृगौला बेचीन । उनलाई पनि १ लाख ५० हजार दिने भनेर लगेपनि जम्मा ६० हजार दिए दलालीले । उनलाई पनि दलाल कहाँ बस्छ र के गर्छ भन्ने पत्तो छैन । त्रिशुली घर भएको बताउँने ती दलालाई कडा कार्वाहीको माग गर्छिन । अहिले उनी काम गर्न नसकेको पीडालाई कम गर्न रक्सीको सहारा लिँदै आएकी छिन् । दलालले ३ लाख दिने जनाएपछि ६ वर्षअघि किड्नी बेच्न राजी भएका यीनलाई दलालीले जम्मा ५० हजारमात्र दिएकोमा खिन्न त छँदैछन् उनी उल्टो काम गर्न नसक्ने र घाउको पीडाले छट्पटाइरहेका छन् । यी युवाको दाबी पताउने हो भने त नेपालकै अस्पतालबाट समेत मृगौला चोरी हुन थालेको छ । मोटरसाइकलले ठक्कर दिएपछि अस्पताल भर्ना भएका यी युवाको बेहोस अबस्थामै डाक्टरको संलग्नतामा मृगौला चोरी भयो । बाटामा मोटरसाइकलको ठक्करबाट घाइते यी युवा फर्कदा खुट्टाको मात्र होइन मृगौला समेत चोरी भएपछि बिलौना गर्दै घर फर्के तर उनलाई घरमा समेत परिवारका सदस्यले पीडा थपेपछि उनी शारीरीक मात्र होइन मानसीक अबस्थाबाट समेत पीडित बन्नुपरेको छ । एक युवाको दाबी साँचो हो भने अब सर्वसाधरणले नेपालकै अस्पताल जाँदा पनि निकै सचेत हुनुपर्ने भएको छ । बिभिन्न नाम र बहानामा गरिबीको अबस्था थाहा पाएका दलालहरु गाउँ छिर्ने र भारतसम्म पुर् याएर मृगौला बेचेर रकम कमाउने गरेका छन् । आफ्नो पीडाले उनी श्रीमान मृगौला बेच्न तयार भएपनि आफुले रोकेको बताउँछिन। यी त भए स्वइच्छाले मृगौला बेचेपछिको बिलौना यस्ता धेरैले मृगौला बॆचेका छन् तर आत्मग्लानीभएकाले धेरै चुप लागेर आफ्नो अक्ष्मय गल्तीबारे सोचीरहेका छन् । मृगौला बेचेर साहुको रिण तिर्न तयार भएका मृगौला बिक्रेताहरु अहिले पीडा र दुखका साथ रक्सीको भरमा क्षणीक आराम र सन्तुष्टि प्राप्त गरिरहेका छन् ।
अमितकुमारको नालीबेली

अमितकुमार किड्नी तस्करीका पर्याय । जसले गरिब र निमुखाका किड्नीकै कारोबारलाई प्रमुख पेशा बनाएका थिए । उनले किड्नी नेपाल र भारतीय जनताबाट खरिद गरेपनि उनको कारोबारको केन्द्र भने अष्ट्रेलिया थियो । जहाबाट उनले ६० देशमा तस्करी साजाल बनाएका थिए । १९५६ मा भारतको अकोलामा जन्मेका अमितकुमारले खर भन्ने स्थानमा १९८० सम्म एउटा सानो किल्नीक चलाएर बसेका थिए । १९८० मा किड्नी तस्करसंग सम्पर्क बढाएका अमितकुमारले १९९० मा सी ग्रेडको भारतीय फिल्ममा लगानी थाल्दा समेत केही नेपालीहरु उनका सहयोगी थिए । आफ्नै लगानीमा निमिर्त खुनीरात भन्ने फिल्मीमा पुलीसको रोलमा फिल्म खेलेका उनी सन् १९९४ मा ५ महिनाका लागि मुम्बई जेलमा परेका उनी अमितकुमार १९९५ मा धरौटीमा रिहा भए जेलबाट रिहा भएपछि हरियानाको गुरगाउँमा एउटा अस्पताल खोलेर नेपालमा केही मृगौला बेच्नेहरु खोज्न दलाल लगाएको र भारतमा पनि दलाली प्रयोग गरी नेपालबाट मृगौला तस्करी गर्न थालेको स्रोतहरुको दाबी छ । १९९९ मा क्यानाडाबाट गुरगाउँ फर्केका अमित सन् २००३ मा मुम्बई अदालतमा प्रहरीले उनीबिरुद्व मुद्दा दायर गरेपछि पुन श्रीमती र बच्चासहित क्यानाडा भागेका थिए । सन् २००७ मा अमितकुमार पुन भारत फर्केर पुन किड्नीको व्यपार शुरु गरेका थिए । तर अमितकुमारलाई धेरै नेपालीले दलालमार्फत किड्नी बेचेका छन् । सन् २००० मा पनि अमितकुमार दिल्ली प्रहरीले निजामुद्दिन भन्ने स्थानबाट पक्राउ गरेपनि तारेखमा रिहा भए । पुन सन् २००१ मा मुम्बई प्रहरीले पक्राउ गरेपनि पुन तारिखमा छुटेका थिए । दलालीमार्फत किड्नी बेच्ने र दलालीको बास्तबीक पहिचान खुल्न नसकेका कारण किड्नी तस्करहरुलाई पक्राउ गर्न नसकेको प्रहरीको दाबी छ । फिल्मी स्टार बन्ने शोख पालेका अमितकुमारले त्यही शोख पुरा गर्न फिल्म क्षेत्रमा शुरुमा स्पट व्वाई र केही समय पछि लाइट व्वाई भएर काम पनि गरे । खरका क्लिनीक खोलेर अमितकुमार डाक्टर बनेका थिए । खरिदको १० गुणा बढीमा धनी व्यक्ति र विदेशीलाई किड्नी बेच्ने गरेको अनुसन्धानमा संलग्न भारतीय प्रहरी स्रोतको उल्लेख गर्दै भारतीय साचार माध्यमले जनाएकमा छन् । अमितकुमारको मृगौला व्यापार शैली निकै परिस्कृत शैलीको थियो । जुन प्रदेशमा बस्यो त्यो प्रदेशको प्रहरीमा सूचना पुगेपछि कानुन फितलो भएको प्रदेशमा बसाई सर्ने गर्दथे । कसरी पक्राउमा परे र छुटे उनी नेपालमा पक्राउ परेका अमितकुमारको बारेमा अब हामी तपाईलाई रहस्य खोल्ने छौं । जब प्रहरीले अमितकुमारलाई पक्राउ गरी हतकडी लगाएको थियो तब उनले भनेका थिए तपाईहरुलाई जति पैसा चाहिएपनि म तत्कालै दिन्छु तर मलाई पक्राउ नगर्नुस् । उनी नेपाल आएको र पक्राउ परेका कहानी पनि निकै रोचक छैन । चितवनको होटल वाइड लाइफ क्याम्प चितवनमा प्रुेबुअरी ७ २००८ मा छिरेका उनलाई होटलका म्यानेजर शंकर शैजुले शुरुमै कतै देखेजस्तो माने र निगरानी बढाएका थिए । शैजुले पत्रपत्रिकातिर अमितकुमारको मृगौल्ँ तस्करीबारे पढेका थिए ।अमितकुमार शुरुमा होटल छिर्दा अन्य सामन्य पाहुनाजस्तै जिन्सको कपडा र ज्याकेट लगाएर आएका थिए । होटलका कर्मचारी महेश्वर रेग्मीले अमितकुमारको कोठामा उनका सामान लिएर कफी दिए । तर होटल प्रबेशसाथ अमितकुमार अत्यन्तै हड्बडाएर शंकास्पद गतिबिधि देखाएपछि प्रहरीलाई खबर पुगेको थियो । जुन पत्रिकामा अमितकुमारको अपराधबारे समाचार आएको थियो त्यो पत्रिका अमितकुमारले च्यातेर आफ्नै खल्तीमा हालेका थिए । अमितकुमारको साथबाट क्यानाडा नेपाल र भारतीय सीम सहितका मोवाइलहरु पनि भेट्टिएको थियो । प्रहरीले पक्राउपछि पनि हतारले सार्वजनिक गरी कुनै अनुसन्धानबेगरनै भारतीय गुप्तचर संस्थाको जिम्मामा पठाइदियो। उनले नेपालमा कस्तो अपराध गरेका थिए भन्ने बारे अनुसन्धान गर्न बाँकी नै रहदा नेपाल प्रहरीले भारतीय सरकारलाई सुम्पनुले नेपालमा अमितकुमारले घटाएका धेरै अपराधको अनुसन्धान प्रभावीत बनेको छ । मृगौलाको अवैध प्रत्यारोपणमा संल्ग्न रहेका भारतको राजधानी नयाँदिल्ली नजिकै पर्ने हरियाणा राज्यको गुडगाँउमा निजी अस्पताल संचालन गरी गैर कानुनी रुपमा मृगौलाको प्रत्यारोपणमा संलग्न रहेका ठूलो गिरोह अमितकुमारको साथबाट करिब डेढ करोड बराबरको डलर र यूरो बोकेका थिए । इन्टरपोलको खाजीमा रहेका अमितकुमारलाई सुपुर्दकी गर्न सकिने भएपनि आफ्नो देशमा भएको अपराधबारे कुनै छानबीन नै नगरी भारतीय सरकारलाई सुम्पीयो । भारतीय समाचार संस्गाहरुले त अमितकुमारले बिरामीलाई झुक्याएर समेत मृगौला झिक्ने गरिबको सस्तोमा मृगौला किनेर धनीलाई मह्ंगोमा बेच्ने गरेको आरोप थियो । अधिकांस नेपाली मृगौला बेच्न र मृगौला सम्बन्धी रोगको उपचारका लागि भारत जाने भएपनि सरकारले आवश्यक अनुसन्धान गर्न सकेन । पक्राउको २ दिनभित्रै उनलाई भारतीय दबाबमा परी बुझाइयो । भारतीय आन्तरीक गुप्तचर संस्था केन्द्रीय अनुसन्धान व्यूरोले उनको बारेमा अनुसन्धान गरिरहेपनि नेपाल प्रहरीलाई अनुसन्धानबाट खुलेका तथ्यहरु दिएको छैन । अमितकुमार एउटा देशदेखी अर्को देश र एउटा प्रान्तबाट अर्को प्रान्त जाँदा कहिले अमित चौधरीको नामबाट कहिले अमित पुरुषोत्तम त कहिले राजेश र सुरेश राउतको नामबाट हिड्ने गर्दथे । अमितकुमारको नयाँ नयाँ आपराधिक शैलीका कारण भारतीय प्रहरीको पाजाबाट मुक्त हुने गरेका थिए । किड्नी कारोबारलाई विश्वव्यापी बनाउन अमितकुमार क्यानाडासमेत पुगेका थिए । अमितकुमारले वकिलहरुलाई घुस ख्वायर मुद्दा लम्बाउने गर्दथे । पक्राउ गरेको भोलीपल्टै नेपाल प्रहरीले उनलाई भारतीय गुप्तचर संस्थाको जिम्मा लगायो । भारतीय प्रहरीसंगको बयानमा पनि अमितकुमारले गरिब र दिनदुखीलाई सहायता मात्र गरेको दाबी गर्दै आएका छन् । भारतीय सरकारको दबाबका कारण अमितकुमार बिना कुनै अनुसन्धान भारतीय गुप्तचर संस्थाको जिम्मामा सुम्पीइए । यसले नेपालमा भएको धेरै किड्नी तस्करीको अनुसन्धान छायाँमा परेको छ ।

तस्करीमा नयाँ तरिका

प्रमोदराज सेढाई
दूर्लभ एकिसंगे गैंडाको संख्या अहिले विश्वभर २१ सय रहेको छ । नेपालमा सन् १९९४ २००० २००५ र २००८ मा गैंडाको गणना गरिएको छ । सन् १९९४ मा ६ सय रहेकेा गैंडा सन् २००० मा ५ सय ४४ सन् २००५ मा ३ सय ७२ वटा एकिसंगे गैंडा रहेको तथ्यांक सार्वजनिक गरिएको थियो । सन् २००६ भने गैंडा शिकारी अत्याधिक बढ्यो २००६ मा त एकिसंगे गैंडा जम्मा २ सय ६० रहेको तथ्यांक आएपनि सन् २००८ मा गरिएको गणनामा भने नेपालमा ४ सय ८ एकिसंगे गैडा रहेको तथ्यांक छ । सन् १९६५ मा साइटीसको अनुसुची १ मा राखी एकिसंगे गैंडाको सबै प्रकारको ओसार पसार गर्न निषेध गरिएको छ । कन्भेन्सन अन बायोलोजिकल डाइभरसीटी १९९२ ले एकिसंगे गैंडालाई लोप हुन नदिन धारा ८ मा राज्यले संरक्षणका लागि आवश्यक कानुनी प्रशासनिकलगायत कार्यकारी उपाय अबलम्बन गर्नुपर्ने दायित्व समेटेको छ । चितवन राष्ट्रिय निकुाज नियमावली २०३० को नियम २५ मा मुद्दा हेर्ने अधिकारीको रुपमा निकुाजका प्रमुख वार्डेन र कतिपय मुद्दाको हकमा सहायक संरक्षक रेन्जरलाई तोकेकोले यसको पारदर्शिता र दोषीले कार्वाहीबाट उन्मुक्ति पाउने भएकाले आवश्यकता अनुसार कानुन फेर्नुपर्ने संरक्षणविद्हरुको भनाई छ । गैंडाको तस्करीमा ४ तहका व्यक्तिहरुको संलग्नता रहेको अनुसन्धानकर्ताहरुको भनाई छ । गैंडा मार्न अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय तस्कर मुख्य नाइके र भाडाका मतियारहरु उपयोग हुने गरेका छन् । यसका लागि उनीहरुले खासगरी पश्चिमी भूभाग प्रयोग गर्दै आएका छन् । एउटा गैंडाको संरक्षण बराबर ४ जना कर्मचारी पर्दछन् तर गैंडालाई तस्करले मारेका मार् यै छन् । अझ पक्राउ परेकालाई छाड्न र रातारात जेल सारेर मानसिक रोगीदेखि एड्स रोगीसम्म बनाइन्छ । अनुसन्धान पुरा हुन नपाउँदै राजधानीका कारागारमा सारेर चलखेल गरिन्छ । वार्डेन र प्रमुख जिल्ला अधिकारीलाई समेत मुद्दा हेर्ने र आधा जेल भुक्तानी गर्न सक्ने समेत अधिकार दिएकाले त खाग तस्करीमा झन ठूलो चलेखल हुने गरेको छ । अर्धन्यायिक निकायलाई १५ वर्षसम्म कैद सजाय गर्न सक्ने प्रँवधान राख्नुले पनि चलेखेल कति हुन सक्छ सहजै अनुमान गर्न सकिन्छ । तस्करले एउटा खागको १४ हजारदेखि २० हजार अमेरिकी डलरसम्मा बेच्ने गर्दछन् । चितवन र बर्दियाबाट ल्याइएका खाग सडक मार्ग हुँदै तिब्बत कटाउने र त्यहाँबाट तेस्रो देश लाने गरिएको छ । पक्राउ परेकालाई तारेखमा छाड्ने र भाग्यो भन्दै फरारको सूचीमा राखिन्छ । फलामे पासो खानेकुरामा विष खाल्डोको धरापमात्र होइन करेण्ट लगाउने परम्परासमेत छाडेर तस्करहरु खुलेरै अत्याधुनिक हतियारसहित गैंडा मार्न सकि्रय छन् । बर्दियामा गैंडा शिकारमा सकि्रय समूह एसएलआर र एकेू४७ राइफल सर्टमेशिन गन एसएमजी जस्ता आधुनिक हतियारले सुसज्जित छ । १२÷१५ जनाको समुहमा िहंड्ने गिरोहले सुरक्षुकर्मीलाई समेत २४ सै घण्टा निगरानी राखिरहेका हुन्छन् । पक्राउ परेका अधिकांस मान्छे काठ दाउरा काट्न निकुाजभित्र छिरेका र जरायो चित्तलको शिकार गर्नेहरु रहने गरेका छन् । चितवनका एकसिङ्गे गैंडाको विनाश रोक्न र संख्या बढाउन अन्यत्र स्थानान्तरण गर्ने क्रममा सन् १९८६ देखि २००२ सम्म बर्दिया निकुाजमा ८३ वटा गैंडा स्थानान्तरण गरिएको थियो । तर अहिले तिनको संख्या जम्मा २० मा झरेको छ । भदौ महिनायता मात्र ६ वटा गैंडा मारिएका छन्। शुक्लाफाँटा वन्यजन्तु आरक्षमा छाडिएका चार गैंडाको संख्या बढेर सात पुगेपनि शिकारीले तीन वटा मारेपछि फेरि चारमै झरेको छ । चितवनमा भने गत २५ फागुनदेखि ११ चैतसम्म भएको गणनामा ४०८ गैंडा रहेका छन् ।
मानव खप्परकोपनि खतरा
तस्करहरुले जनावरको मात्र होइन मानव अंगको समेत तस्करी गरिररहेका छन् । मानव अस्थिपाजर र खप्परको तस्करीको पनि बिगबिगी छ । फितलो कानुनी व्यवस्थाले चिहान खनेर मानव खप्पर र हस्तीहाडहरु संकलन गर्नेहरु बढ्दै गएका छन् । मुख्यगरी भारतबाट काठमाडौं ल्याउने र यहाँ ट्रान्जीट बनाएर हवाईमार्गबाट मध्यपूर्वी युरोप र अमेरिका लगायतका देशमा जाने र स्थलमार्ग भने तिब्बत हुँदै चीनमा पुग्ने गरेको छ । अहिलेसम्म नेपालमा पक्राउ परेका मानव अस्थिपाजर भने भारतबाट आउने दाबी गरिएपनि नेपालकै कुनै चिहानबाट झिकिन्छ या झिकिदैन भन्ने स्पष्ट हुनसकेकेा छैन । काठमाडौंको ज्याठाबाट गत बर्षपनि १७ थान मानव खप्परसहित एक व्यक्ति पक्राउ परेका थिए । त्यस्तै गत अघिल्लो वर्ष चैत महिनामा राजधानीबाट बरामद गरिएका ठूलो मात्रामा मानव खप्पर र नलीहाड बरामद भएपछि नेपाल पनि तस्करीको ट्रान्जिट प्वाइन्ट बनेको देखिएको छ । तर यसको अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय रुट भने अहिलेसम्म स्पष्ट हुन सकेको छैन । गत २०६५ पुस २९ मा सशस्त्र प्रहरीको राजस्व गस्ती टोलीले काँकडभिट्टामा भारतबाट आएको एक सय ८० थान मानव खप्पर र आठ थान नलीहाड फेला पारेको थियो । अनुसन्धानमा संलग्न प्रहरीहरु भने भारतस्थित बिहारको गयामा रहेको बक्सर भन्ने स्थानबाट धेरै मानव अस्थिपाजर नेपाल आउने गरेको दाबी गर्छन । भारतमा चिहानबाट निकालिएको खप्परको ५ सय रुपैंयाँ पनि पदैन । त्यहाँबाट सीमापार गरी काठमाडौं ल्याइन्छ र काठमाडौंमा राखेर अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय बजार बुझिन्छ । तर मुख्य तस्कर कोठा भाडामा लिएर जान्छन भने भरियालाई कुराउँछन । पक्राउ परेपनि उनीहरु उम्कन्छन् भने भरिया पक्राउ पर्छन । तर पक्राउ पर्नेहरु पनि सामान्य तारिखमै छुट्छन् । अस्पष्ट काुननी व्यवस्थाले नेपाली कानुन अनुसार मानव खप्पर विक्री वितरण गर्ने व्यक्ति ठूलो अपराधको रुपमा लिएको छैन । प्रहरीले मान्छेको खप्पर विक्री गर्नेलाई समातेर कानुनी कार्वाहीको प्रकृयामा लगेपनि गम्भिर मानवीय अपराधका रुपमा लिइँदैन । पक्राउ परेपनि सार्वनिक अपराध ऐन अनुसार कार्वाहीको सिफारिसमा परेकाहरु सहजै २५ हजारसम्मको धरौटी बुझाएर मुक्त हुँदै आएका छन । चिहान खोतलेर बिक्री गरिने मानव अंग भनेको नलिहाड र खप्पर नै हो । प्रहरीले अहिलेसम्म यिनै २ वस्तुहरु मात्र बरामद गरेको छ । प्रहरीले मानव खप्परको स्रोत भारत रहेको दाबी गरेपनि कतिपय नेपाली चिहानबाट समेत उत्खनन् गरेर तस्करी गर्ने गरिएको पाइएको छ । नेपालमा मानव अंगको तस्करी कसरी बढेको छ भारतको विहारमा मानव खप्पर र नलिहाड सहजै पाइन्छ । एउटा खप्परको २ सय ५० नेपाली रुपैंया पर्ने दाबी प्रहरीको छ । नलिहाडको मुल्य पनि हाराहारीकै हुने रहेछ । त्यही खप्पर र नलिहाड काठमाडौं ल्याइपुर् याएपछि त्यसको मुल्य पुग्ने रहेछ ५ हजार । काठमाडौं आएपछि त्यसलाई सजावट गर्ने र सामानको बीचमा राखेर विदेशनिकास गर्ने गरिन्छ । काठमाडौंमा ५ हजारमा किनेको मानवखप्पर बिमानस्थल कट्नासाथ ५० हजारभन्दा बढी पुगिसकेको हुन्छ । भारतवाट काठमाडौं ल्याईएपछि खप्पर र नलिहाडलाई सुनचांदीले समेत मोडेर समेत विदेश निकाश गरिन्छ । चांदीले मोडेको खप्परको मुल्य ५० हजार पर्ने भएपनि सुनले मोडेकालाई १२ लाखसम्म पर्दछ । तर यसको उपयोगिता भने खप्पर राख्यो भने शुभ हुन्छ भन्नेमा मात्रै सीमित रहेको र केही व्यक्तिले खप्परलाई सुप खान समेत प्रयोग गर्ने गरेका छन् । तर खप्परको तस्करीमा संलग्न मुख्य तस्करहरुको चूरो समेत प्रहरीले अहिलेसम्म पाउन सकेको छैन । सामान्य अपराध गर्ने बराबरको सजायले गर्दा पनि मानव खप्पर तस्करी बढ्दै गएकोछ । खप्पर तस्करीबारे स्पष्ट कानुनी व्यबस्थाको आवश्यकता छ । तस्करी रोक्न कडा कानुन र सतर्कताको खाँचो छ ।
तस्करी बन्यो मुसा विरालो खेल
ढिलै भए पनि बन्यजन्तु तस्करी नियन्त्रण गर्न सरकारको घैंटोमा घाम लागेको छ । नेपाल बन्यजन्तु तस्करीको ट्रान्जिट प्वाइन्ट बनेको चाल पाएपछि सरकार बल्ल बन्यजन्तु अपराध नियन्त्रण ब्यूरो गठनको अन्तिम तयारीमा पुगेको छ । नेपाली सेना लगायतका सुरक्षा निकाय बन प्राविधिक विमान्ास्थलका प्रतिनिधि संलग्न हुने संयन्त्र अर्धन्यायिक हुने बताइएको छ । त्यसो त यस्ता तस्करीलाई हदैसम्मको कार्वाही गरी बन्यजन्तु चोरी शिकारी नियन्त्रण गर्न सरकार विशेष ऐन पनि ल्याउने तयारीमा जुटेको छ । राजनीतिक संरक्षण बन्यजन्तु चोरी शिकारी नियन्त्रणमा खटिएका सुरक्षा निकाय र कर्मचारीको साँठगाँठ बन्यजन्तु संरक्षणका बाधक बनेका छन् । अझ राजनीतिक संरक्षणका कारण कार्वाही प्रकि्रया अघि नै तस्करहरु उम्कने र पक्राउ परेका पनि सामान्य कार्वाही पछि छुट्ने प्रचलन रोक्न यो ऐन र संयन्त्र कत्तिको प्रभावकारी हुन्छ त्यो भने समयले नै देखाउला । तर जनावरको हाड छाला रौं जस्ता विशेष अंगमात्र होइन िसंगै जनावरको समेत तस्करी बढेको छ । नेपालबाट गैंडाको खाग मात्र होइन हात्ति बाघ मृग घोरल हरिण जस्ता जनावरको सँुड सिङ् छाला रौं र हड्डीको तस्करी पनि हुने गरेको छ । बाँदर हिमाली भालु चिल हुचिल पानी हाँस सर्प जस्ता जिउँदै जनावरको समेत कारोबार हुन्छ । तस्करी गरिएका अंगलाई सजावट कामोत्तेजक विभिन्न औषधी लागू औषध बैज्ञानिक अनुसन्धान हतियारका खोज लगायतमा उपयोग गर्ने गरिएको अनुसन्धानमा संलग्नहरु बताउँछन् । खासगरी गैंडाको खाग विभिन्न उत्तेजक औषधी निर्माण गर्न र सजावटको लागि प्रयोग गरिन्छ भने हात्तिको सुँड मृग घोरल हरिणका सिङ् छाला र रौंलाई भने सजावटको रुपमा घरमा राखिन्छ । केही यस्ता बन्यजन्तु छन् जसबाट कयौं मुलुकले बैज्ञानिक खोज र अनुसन्धानका लागि नै तस्करी गर्ने गर्दछन् ।
चील हुचिल पानी हाँस र हिमाली भालु बाँदर जस्ता बन्यजन्तुलाई विकसित मुलुकले अध्ययन अुनुसन्धान र परिक्षणका लागि प्रयोग गरिरहेका छन् । विकसित मुलुकहरुले पछिल्लो समयमा विकास गरेको निसानाबाज फाइटर विमानको आविष्कार चिल हुचिल र पानी हाँसको प्रबृत्तिको आधारमा गरेको विज्ञहरुको भनाई छ । यी चराहरुको गुणको अनुसन्धान गरी त्यस्ता फाइटर विमानको विकास गरेको विज्ञहरुको दाबी छ । बैज्ञानिकहरुले बाँदरमा ह्युमिनिटी टेष्ट गरिरहेका छन् । त्यस्तै अरबियन मुलुकका धनाढ्यहरुले हुचिललाई सजावटको सामाग्रीको रुपमा प्रयोग गनेृ गरेको बन बिभागका अधिकारीहरु बताउँछन् । नेपालमा तस्करहरु दशौं हजारको साजाल बनाई बन्यजन्तुको तस्करी गरिरहेका छन् । यो साजाल शक्ति धन र संयन्त्रको आधारमा यति शक्तिशाली छ कि राजनीतिक दलका नेता सुरक्षा निकाय र कर्मचारी तन्त्रका पदाधिकारीलाई यसले आफ्नो मुट्ठीमा पार्न सकेको छ । त्यसैले त रंगेहात पक्राउ परेका वन्यजन्तु तस्करी औसतमा ६ महिना देखि १ वर्ष सम्म मात्र जेल पर्ने गरेका छन् । नेपालमा पित्तलको भाउमा खरिद गरेका बन्यजन्तुका अंगहरु भने विदेशमा सुनको भाउमा बिक्री हुने गर्दछ । बाघको छाला र हड्डीलाई स्थानीय स्तरमा १५ हजार देखि ६० हजार रुपैंयासम्ममा खरितेर तस्करले विदेशमा ८ देखि ९ लाख रुपैंया सम्ममा बिकि्र बितरण गर्ने गर्दछन् २०५७ सालमा सरकारले सार्वजनिक गरिएको तथ्याङ्क अनुसार नेपालका विभन्न जंगलमा ९८ देखि १ सय २३ वयस्क बाघ रहेका छन् । अहिले त्यो संख्यामा २ वटा बाघ कमी रहेको तथ्याङ्कले देखाएको छ । जसमध्ये चितवन राष्ट्रिय निकुाजमा ९१ बर्दिया राष्ट्रिय निकुाजमा १८ शुक्लाफाँटामा पाँच वर्षअघि २२ वटा पाटेबाघ रहेकामा हाल जम्मा ८ र पसा्र बन्यजन्तु आरक्षमा ४ वटा बाघ रहेका छन् । तर कति बाघ तस्करको आहारा बने अहिलेसम्म एकिन हुन सकेको छैन । तस्करको निशानामा परेकाले पाटे बाघको अस्तित्व पनि सङ्कटमा पर्दै गएको छ । संरक्षित क्षेत्रभित्र बाघ मारिँदै जान थालेका छन् । चितवन राष्ट्रिय निकुाज बर्दिया राष्ट्रिय निकुाज शुक्लाफाँटा वन्यजन्तु आरक्षलगायत संरक्षित क्षेत्रमा रहेका बाघ पनि मासिँदै जान थालेका छन् । सुरक्षा व्यबस्था कडा पारिएमा बाघ जाने रुटमा एम्बुस थापेर बसेका तस्करहले मार्ने गरेका छन् । लामो समयदेखि बाघ गणना एकपल्ट पनि नभएकाले मारिएका बाघको संख्या पनि यकिन हुन सकेको छैन । बर्दिया र पसा्र बन्यजन्तु आरक्षणमा बाघ घट्दै जान थालेका छन् ।