I just chatted to (through MSN chat) and had a phone conversation with a friend in Nepal, through what he said were VSAT connection/satellite phone at an international agency.
He said that last two days, phone lines have been open (at least within KTM) during 2100 and 2300 hours local time ( 9 PM-11 PM night). Apparently, local calls were possible, but they could not make international calls. I saw somebody at Sajha say that calls from Bangkok to KTM went through around that time. Putting it all together, it appears that calls to Nepal were possible at these times. You guys can try your luck during this time, which would be around 10:15 - 11:15 EST tomorrow morning, in case the Door Sanchar repeats the pattern.
My friend said that daily life in KTM looks quite normal with shops, schools, offices open. All modes of transporation are running smoothly and the airport is open. The rumor is that the airport was shut down earlier because some netas were trying to run away. If you walk around the town, you would not know anything is amiss. He said that people in KTM don't know what's happening beyond the valley.
There is a communication blackout and FM radio stations have been allowed to broadcaset nothing but music. Nepal TV every now and then drags some "dignitary"... an artist or a doctor on screen supporting the royal move.
I asked him if he and his family are fearful and he said ordinary people like himself are more confused than fearful. [[ My thought is that in the course of last few years, ordinary folks have become so desensitized and detached due to the relentless blows of bandhas and riots (not to mention endless idle rhetorics, lies and bickering among the netas) that what is happening right now does not look as bizarre and scary to them as it does to us. For families of those directly on the crosshairs of king G (politicians, journalists), it's perhaps a different story. ]]
In his own words..."civil liberties have been curtailed, and right to free speech, assembly and property have been suspended with his decree. all the power is in the hands of the king and the army". And he says he is not so fearful!! I was thinking...what does it tell me about how much of these rights he thought ordinary folks like him truly had that the king has taken away?!! I am not justifying these draconian measures, but just appalled at how immaterial he views the situation.
Will write more if I have another conversation.
