Submit your Article

Dear Readers,

It has been more than 100 days since landless squatters were forcefully removed from their informal settlement, yet the government has still to provide them with shelter. On August 3, they staged a protest at Maitighar, demanding a permanent solution to their problems. Earlier, the government had pledged to resettle them within 100 days.

The March 5 elections wiped out several fringe political parties, which are now trying to rebuild their strength through new alliances. Leaders such as C.K. Raut, Janardan Sharma, Upendra Yadav, and Prabhu Sah, among others, are preparing to declare a coalition, though it is unlikely to have a major impact on national politics. Meanwhile, two communist parties—led by K.P. Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal—have already begun collaborating to form provincial governments. Madhav Kumar Nepal, a senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal, stated that talks are also underway to forge a broader Left alliance.

Although the situation in Terai-Madhes has returned to normal, underlying tensions remain. The Nepali Congress has demanded the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the communal violence that originated in Sunsari before spreading to other districts.

In legal news, the court has ordered the release of medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai, who was detained by police on August 2 for making provocative statements. Police had requested authorization to detain him for seven days. Over the past few years, successive governments have repeatedly detained Prasai for delivering provocative statements and spreading unverified information.

Meanwhile, Nepal–India border checkpoints have been tightened following the outbreaks of communal violence in Sunsari and other parts of the country. Security forces from both nations are currently conducting joint patrols along the border.

Nepal’s cooking gas distribution and management system continues to expose serious structural flaws. Although the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) imported from India has increased, local markets are suffering from shortages, leaving citizens scrambling to secure fuel. Despite India providing LPG as requested, government authorities have failed to ensure smooth distribution. Although the government claims to be improving governance, public service delivery continues to face major hurdles.

The Nepal Teachers’ Association has announced plans to hit the streets to pressure the government into fulfilling its demands. Teacher-led demonstrations have a long history in Nepal, with successive governments repeatedly promising to resolve their grievances. Following major protests in 2018, 2021, 2023, and last year, the next wave of demonstrations is set to begin in mid-August. This will likely pose a major challenge for the government. Ever since Nepal adopted a federal structure, little has been done to address systemic issues in the education sector—with teachers' demands being a primary example.

Turning to tourism, a vital pillar of Nepal’s economy, there is encouraging news. In July, Nepal welcomed 71,775 international tourists, a 2.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year. India was the largest source market, accounting for 23,490 visitors, followed by China with 11,099. Although Chinese tourist arrivals dropped significantly following last year's GenZ movement, numbers are rebounding as both Nepal and China conduct joint promotional activities to attract Chinese travelers. The United States ranked third.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Editor

August 3 — Nepal's leading Nepali-language newspapers on Monday highlighted a wide range of national issues, with inflation, communal harmony in the Madhes, major infrastructure projects, tax compliance and shortages of essential commodities dominating front-page coverage.

Annapurna Post led with extensive coverage of the Annapurna Dialogue, a roundtable organized by Annapurna Media Network, where political leaders, opinion makers and other stakeholders discussed the growing communal tensions and violence in the Madhes. Participants emphasized the need for dialogue, social harmony and coordinated efforts to prevent further unrest.

The newspaper also reported on the hardships faced by farmers in Nepalgunj due to inadequate rainfall, raising concerns over the impact on agricultural production. In another prominent story, Annapurna Post reported that the Siddhababa Tunnel along the Butwal–Palpa highway is likely to be completed ahead of schedule. The project has reached 69 percent physical progress, with construction continuing around the clock. Once completed, Nepal's second road tunnel after the Nagdhunga Tunnel is expected to improve safety on the accident-prone highway, particularly during the monsoon season.

Kantipur Daily focused on the growing burden of inflation on consumers, arguing that the government has shown little urgency in addressing rising prices and the increasing cost of living. The newspaper also highlighted renewed tensions in the disputed Susta area after Indian security personnel reportedly demolished an embankment constructed by local Nepalis, raising fresh concerns over the long-standing border dispute.

The state-owned Gorkhapatra reported signs of improving normalcy in the Madhes following an agreement between Home Minister Sudan Gurung and representatives of a Hindu organization. The daily also drew attention to the country's rising cancer burden, reporting that around 22,000 people are diagnosed with various forms of cancer each year, with those aged between 50 and 55 among the most affected. In the technology sector, the newspaper quoted Minister for Communication and Information Technology Bikram Timalsina as saying that Nepal is preparing to launch commercial 5G internet services.

Nagarik Daily highlighted the government's latest initiative to improve tax compliance and boost revenue collection. Under a newly introduced consumer incentive program, shoppers who collect purchase invoices while buying goods will be eligible for cash prizes ranging from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 1 million, as authorities seek to discourage tax evasion through greater public participation.

Meanwhile, Naya Patrika Daily spotlighted a nationwide shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), reporting long queues of consumers waiting to obtain cooking gas cylinders, with the supply disruption affecting households across the country.

Collectively, the day's newspaper coverage reflected growing public concerns over economic pressures, social stability, infrastructure development, public health and the delivery of essential services, underscoring the diverse challenges confronting Nepal.

Greetings from Kathmandu,

Welcome to The ApEx Daily, your daily briefing on Nepal's politics, governance, and public affairs. Designed for an international audience, this newsletter explains the developments shaping one of South Asia's youngest federal democracies.

Political developments in Madhes have taken a new turn. The communal violence that began in Sunsari has reignited a national debate over whether Nepal should retain its secular identity or restore its status as a Hindu state.

The government has signed an 18-point agreement with the Hindu Samrat Sena. As part of the deal, Home Minister Sudan Gurung has agreed to facilitate a public debate on the issue of restoring Nepal as a Hindu state. Following the agreement, the group has called off its protests across various parts of Madhes.

The agreement is expected to energize a new Hindu movement in the Terai-Madhes region, with demands extending beyond the restoration of Nepal as a Hindu state to the reinstatement of the monarchy. Over the past few years, the number of Hindu organizations active in the region has grown significantly.

After a week of heightened tensions, normalcy is gradually returning to the Terai-Madhes. Authorities have lifted curfews in Sunsari and Siraha districts, and Home Minister Gurung has returned to Kathmandu. However, public reaction to the agreement remains divided, with critics arguing that it contradicts Nepal's constitutional commitment to secularism.

The internal dispute within the Nepali Congress continues to intensify, with no immediate resolution in sight.

Amid growing tensions, a group of youth leaders led by Nain Singh Mahar has launched a pressure campaign urging the party's rival factions to reunite. Speaking at a press conference, the leaders announced a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting unity within the country's largest democratic party.

A total of 196 people have died and four remain missing in disaster-related incidents across Nepal between Baisakh 1 and Shrawan 17, 2083 BS.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 4,053 disaster incidents were recorded during the period, affecting 5,188 families. The disasters also left 1,218 people injured.

Snakebites proved to be the deadliest hazard, claiming 54 lives and injuring 668 people. Authorities recorded 716 snakebite incidents, affecting 718 families.

A new study has found that Nepal's stock market reacts rapidly to major economic policies and national events, including the annual budget, monetary policy announcements, the COVID-19 pandemic, and earthquakes.

The joint research, conducted by Dr. Birendra Bahadur Budha, Rohan Byanjankar, and Swastik Nepal of Nepal Rastra Bank, concludes that a 2 percent decline in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) can result in as much as a 10 percent drop in the NEPSE index.

The body of renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja has been recovered from Broad Peak in Pakistan, according to rescue officials.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan said Purja's body was found at an altitude of approximately 5,700 meters. Rescuers also reported spotting three additional bodies nearby, although their identities have yet to be confirmed.

Purja's company, Elite Expeditions, announced on Saturday that he was among ten climbers killed in the avalanche. Tributes have poured in from around the world, including from the Prince of Wales.

More than a week after cooking gas shortages emerged in the Kathmandu Valley, the problem remains unresolved.

Although LPG imports from India continue without disruption, consumers are still struggling to obtain cylinders. Traders insist they are supplying gas to the market, but shortages persist at the retail level, raising concerns over possible distribution bottlenecks.

The Nepal Teachers' Federation has announced a nationwide protest beginning in Bhadra, accusing the government of failing to address teachers' long-standing demands.

Federation President Laxmi Kishor Subedi said the organization would soon unveil a detailed schedule of protest programs following the federation's recent meeting.

Former Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leader Dhawal Shamsher Rana and businessman Durga Prasai are preparing to register a new political party with the Election Commission before the end of Shrawan.

According to sources close to the initiative, the registration process has entered its final phase after several rounds of discussions.

Sagun Lawati, who is involved in the campaign, said the party is expected to be officially registered on Shrawan 26. Before the registration, a task force will finalize the party's name, flag, and other organizational matters.

There is tragic news from the Himalayas. World-record-holding Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, widely known as Nimsdai, has died after being caught in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan. Several other members of his expedition team also lost their lives. Tributes to Purja have poured in across social media. Prime Minister Balendra Shah also paid tribute to the legendary mountaineer through a social media post.

The situation in the Terai-Madhes region is gradually returning to normal. No incidents of violence were reported on Saturday, and authorities have eased the curfew and other prohibitory orders. Home Minister Sudan Gurung is on the ground consulting with local stakeholders to help maintain peace and stability. Civil society leaders in both Kathmandu and Madhes have called for religious tolerance, social harmony, and unity among people of different faiths, castes, and ethnic communities.

The dispute within the Nepali Congress has further intensified, with the Purna Bahadur Khadka faction announcing a national gathering of its supporters. If the two sides fail to reach a reconciliation, the gathering is expected to deliberate on the formation of a new government.

Although talks are continuing between Party President Gagan Kumar Thapa and the rival faction, no agreement has been reached so far. Senior party leader Shashank Koirala has been appointed convener of the national gathering. Koirala remains popular among the party's rank and file. The rival faction has also rejected the legitimacy of the special general convention that elected Thapa as the party president.

The CPN-UML has finalized Jaga Nath Thapaliya as the next Chief Minister of Bagmati Province. A few days ago, the CPN-UML and the Nepali Communist Party agreed to reshuffle provincial governments. The two parties have already replaced their chief ministers in Karnali Province.

In Sudurpaschim Province, the Nepali Communist Party is set to form the provincial government. However, internal divisions within the party persist. Khaga Raj Bhatta was widely expected to become the next Chief Minister, but other party leaders have also laid claim to the position, creating uncertainty over the final decision. Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Editor