Nepal: Information on the group Mandale since the May 1991 elections (update of NPL9179)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NPL11256 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nepal: Information on the group Mandale since the May 1991 elections (update of NPL9179), 1 July 1992, NPL11256, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab5340.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Rastravadi Swatantra Vidyarthi Mandal (popularly known as Mandale) are "the Government paid agents sneaked into student ranks to terrorise the politically conscious students" (Informal Sector Research Centre 1991, 13). In 1979, the Nepalese government banned the Mandale group to prevent further clashes between them and leftist students (Ibid., 14). On February 12, 1990, however, students who had organized a celebration of Nelson Mandela's release were attacked by the police and members of Mandale (Ibid.).
In its June 1992 report, Amnesty International describes the Mandale as a vigilantes group attempting to restrict communist anti-monarchist activities in Nepal (June 1992, 9). Mandale members are known to attack or harass potential dissidents in order to prevent them from carrying out further political activities (Ibid.).
In April 1992, student agitation started again when members of the All Nepal National Independent Students Union (ANNISU), affiliated with the Communist Party, and the Nepal Students Association (NSA) clashed in diverse towns, including the capital Kathmandu (Xinhua 4 Apr. 1992; Ibid. 29 July 1991; AFP 1 Apr. 1992; Ibid. 29 Nov. 1991). Other sources indicate that "student organizations" rioted, without mentioning their names (Xinhua 8 Apr. 1992). At the beginning of June 1992, the political situation remained unstable in Nepal following electoral violence and the victory of the ruling Nepalese Congress at the expense of the Communist Party (AFP 2 June 1992; Ibid. 3 June 1992).
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 3 June 1992. "NC Wins Communist 'Bastion'." (FBIS-NES-92-107, 3 June 1992, p. 43)
. 2 June 1992. "Election Violence Kills 9; NC Party Leads." (FBIS-NES-92-107, 3 June 1992, p. 42)
. 8 April 1992. "Marxist Students Burn Nepalese Minister in Effigy." (NEXIS)
. 1 April 1992. "Student Political Groups Clash, Several Injured." (FBIS-NES-92-065, 3 April 1992, 43)
. 29 November 1991. "Nepal Leftwing Opposition Hold Anti-Government Rally." (NEXIS)
Amnesty International. June 1992. Nepal: A Summary of Human Rights Concerns. (AI Index: ASA 31/02/92). London: Amnesty International Publications, p. 9.
Informal Sector Research Centre. 1991. Nepal and Its Electoral System: An Introduction. Kathmandu: ISRC, pp. 13-15.
Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 8 April 1992. "Nepalese Political Parties Call for Dialogue Between Government, Protesting Parties." (NEXIS)
. 4 April 1992. "Nearly 30 Injured in Student Skirmishes in Kathmandu." (NEXIS)
. 29 July 1991. "Students Clash With Police in Nepal." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Agence France Presse (AFP). 3 June 1992. "NC Wins Communist 'Bastion'." (FBIS-NES-92-107, 3 June 1992, p. 43)
. 2 June 1992. "Election Violence Kills 9; NC Party Leads." (FBIS-NES-92-107, 3 June 1992, p. 42)
. 8 April 1992. "Marxist Students Burn Nepalese Minister in Effigy." (NEXIS)
. 1 April 1992. "Student Political Groups Clash, Several Injured." (FBIS-NES-92-065, 3 April 1992, 43)
. 29 November 1991. "Nepal Leftwing Opposition Hold Anti-Government Rally." (NEXIS)
Amnesty International. June 1992. Nepal: A Summary of Human Rights Concerns. (AI Index: ASA 31/02/92). London: Amnesty International Publications.
Informal Sector Research Centre. 1991. Nepal and Its Electoral System: An Introduction. Kathmandu: ISRC, pp. 12-17.
Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 8 April 1992. "Nepalese Political Parties Call for Dialogue Between Government, Protesting Parties." (NEXIS)
. 4 April 1992. "Nearly 30 Injured in Student Skirmishes in Kathmandu." (NEXIS)
. 29 July 1991. "Students Clash With Police in Nepal." (NEXIS)