Maoists' nationwide strike begins

Maoists' three-day nationwide strike began Thursday. Roads of Kathmandu Valley were almost deserted, as no public or private vehicles were sighted plying in the roads till 9:30 a.m.

People were walking on foot. Cyclists were also spotted. Almost all shops in the major thoroughfares were closed. However, shops were partially opened in sub-urban areas and in outskirts of the Valley.

Security is highly mobilised in the Valley considering the Maoists' strike. Bus entrepreneurs have already decided not to ply vehicles during the bundh days. They said the government failed to assure security during the strike. nepalnews.com mr Sept 18

Over 200 killed after ceasefire break

Over 200 people were killed in the post-ceasefire break period, according to a survey report made public by a human right NGO Wednesday.

The report compiled by INSEC said altogether 227 Nepalis were killed in the bloody Army-Maoist conflict.

INSEC has blamed the government for kidnapping common people in the name of Maoists. On the other hand, it has also accused Maoists of indiscriminately killing people. nepalnews.com mr Sept 18

Nepal set to enter PRGF

After a week of intense negotiations and discussions with Nepali Authorities, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has finally agreed to incorporate Nepal in the Poverty Reduction Growth Facility (PRGF) program, a report said Thursday.

The IMF delegation led by Hisan Shishido from IMF headquarters was in Nepal for a week, The Himalayan Times reported.

In intensive discussions at the Ministry of Finance, IMF agreed with Nepal's objectives to achieve economic growth under the tenth plan and financial sector reforms initiatives.

After PRGF initiative comes into being, IMF and World Bank would provide a large aid to meet Nepal's objective of poverty reduction strategy, the report said.

The World Bank will provide financial aid to Nepal amounting to $70 million yearly for three years, after Nepal enters the PRGF. nepalnews.com mr Sept 18

Houses of PM Thapa, Chaudhari destroyed

In two separate incidents Tuesday, Maoists destroyed Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa's farmhouse in Morang and Chairman of Rajparishad Standing Committee Parsu Narayan Chaudhari's house in Dang, reports said Thursday.

Maoists set ablaze PM Thapa's farmhouse in Birtababiya VDC of Morang. In Gobardiha VDC of Dang, Maoists destroyed Chaudhari's house exploding powerful bombs. 

Maoists also set fire to a royal garden in Nuwakot, according to reports. No one was injured in any of the three fire incidents. nepalnews.com mr Sept 18

Ceasefire possible during Dashain, Tihar

The Maoists Wednesday gave indications of withdrawing their "action" during Dashain and Tihar, a published report said Thursday quoting Maoist sources.

"A Maoist source said that discussions are going on with the civil society on the matter," a report in The Kathmandu Post said Thursday.

"We may withdraw our action from Ghatasthapana till Chhath festival," the Maoist source said. He further said they would assess their mistakes and weaknesses during the 35-day period.

"A notice to this effect, signed by Maoist supremo Prachanda is to be made public after the strikes," he said.

The indication of ceasefire announcement is in tune with the request from various social organisations to both the rebels and the government to cease violence during the coming festivals, the report added. nepalnews.com mr Sept 18

Power generation from Piluwa Khola

The 3 MW Piluwa Khola hydro-electric plant will start commercial power generation from Thursday (today), a published report said, quoting the power developer Arun Valley Hydropower Development Company.

The small-scale run-of-the-river type power plant has already connected its electricity to the national grid on August 26, The Kathmandu Post reported.

Built on the border between Chainpur and Siddhakali VDCs of Sankhuasabha districts, it is expected to cater reliable electricity to people of Sankhuasabha, Tehrathum and Dhankuta districts, the news report said.

With a production cost of US $1,400, it is one of the cheapest energy producing hydroelectric plants in the country. nepalnews.com mr Sept 18

Defy strike call: Home Ministry

Ahead of a three-day continuous strike called by Maoists beginning Thursday, the Home Ministry asked the public and institutions Wednesday evening to continue business as usual. 

The Ministry said the government has mobilized security forces to ensure normalcy during the strike. The Ministry asked all to report suspicious activities to the nearest security offices. nepalnews.com. br Sept. 17

Kathmandu streets deserted

Kathmandu's streets were deserted and shopkeepers downed shutters hours before a seven-hour curfew in the capital Wednesday to reach home before movement restrictions came into effect from nine pm in the capital and the satellite owns of Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. 

The curfew was announced ahead of a three-day continuous nation-wide strike called by Maoists beginning Thursday to protest government's labeling them terrorists again after resumption of hostilities following a breakdown of a cease-fire between government forces and rebels. 

Maoists have unleashed violence ahead of the strike. The normally busy restaurants were closed before eight pm; housewives rushed to stores to buy essentials for the long forced closure of markets. nepalnews.com br Sept.17

Indo, Pakistan summit doubtful

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to Islamabad in January next year to attend the SAARC summit need not necessarily provide a platform for a summit between India and Pakistan, said External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha in an interview to Pakistan daily The News, The Times of India reported from New Delhi Wednesday.

"I am bringing expectations down, because everyone thinks that if Vajpayee travels to Islamabad for the SAARC meet, summit-level dialogue will take place between India and Pakistan," Sinha said. 

"The point remains that there must be adequate preparations for a summit-level meeting, and I don't see enough time for such a summit to take place," he said. 

Sinha also made it clear that Pakistan should take further measures to prevent militants from crossing the LoC and infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir before India-Pakistan peace process gathered full pace. nepalnews.com br Sept.17

Maoist outrage continues

Two persons at a village were killed at Kapilvastu in fresh reports of Maoist outrage, a radio report said. They were identified as Bir Bahadur Buda and Jaishi Gharti. 

The dead body of CPN-UML activist Ram Pandit was found at Kirnchowk in Dhading Wednesday after his abduction one day earlier, the party said.  

One Maoist died in a bomb attack on a guard house of the Royal Palace garden at Thansingh in Nuwakot Tuesday. Maoists caused extensive damage in an attack on the traditional home of Raj Sabha Chairman Parshu Narayan Chaudhary in Dang, his office said.

Rebels made an unsuccessful attempt to overrun Tehrathun district headquarters where they destroyed several government offices, another report said. Police said rebels attacked a farm house of Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa in Morang overnight. 

A policeman was killed and two others were injured in a rebel attack on a police outpost overnight in Rautahan, a radio report said. Security forces killed rebel suspect Anil Giri in Baitadi Tuesday, police said.

Police stopped motorcyclists in the capital and asked them to remove visors from helmets as pillion riding was also banned in a security move.  nepalnews.com br Sept.17

PM will not quit: Minister Shukla

Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa will not resign, a senior member of the incumbent government, Sarbendra Nath Shukla said Wednesday. “Instead, we will face each and every obstacle.”

“We will not give up,” Minister Shukla, who holds the portfolio of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, said in an interactive program Wednesday. “It is totally baseless to say that the PM’s resignation will pave the way for an outlet,” he said. “It would be shame on our parts to give up.” 

On Maoists’ demand for Constituent Assembly, the Minister said its contents were not made clear. “Without knowing the content, how could the government accept the proposal?” he queried.

Earlier in the same program, Dr. Sundar Mani Dixit, a civic society member said PM Thapa should quit as he has not been able to make a national consensus.

The program was organized to discuss impact of Maoists’ three day nationwide strike beginning Thursday. nepalnews.com mr Sept 17

Strike’s impact detrimental: Experts

Maoists’ three-day nationwide strike starting Thursday will have a detrimental impact on the overall tourism sector, as just one day of strike will result in a loss of Rs.700 million, experts said Wednesday.

“Tourists will start canceling their earlier bookings and will divert to other destinations due to the strike,” said JB Singh, a tourism entrepreneur and former chief of Travel Agents Association of Nepal.

“The nation can’t sustain the burden of bundhs,” said Chandi Raj Dhakal, vice president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry. “Solution to each and every problem should be sought through dialogue,” he said.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarbendra Nath Shukla said the security will be on high alert in the Valley and through-out the nation during the strike. 

According to data, tourism sector contributes Rs.11.53 billion to the national income per annum. The sector contributes 4 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) and 17 percent to the foreign currency reserve. 

Dr. Sundar Mani Dixit, a civic society member said the strikes and other protests will keep on repeating, unless the Maoist problem is solved.

They were speaking at an interactive program on the impact of strike. nepalnews.com mr Sept 17

Hoax bomb at Tripureswor

Security forces defused a hoax bomb planted at the National Insurance Company at Tripureswor, police said.

The bomb scare created a huge traffic jam Wednesday afternoon around the statue of late King Tribhuvan.

Maoists have called a three-day nation wide strike from Thursday to protest the government again labeling them as terrorists. nepalnews.com br Sept.17

Curfew in Kathmandu Valley Wednesday night 

Local administration has issued a 7 hour night curfew on three districts of Kathmandu Valley beginning 9:00 pm, radio reports said. The curfew covers areas 200 meters within and around the Ring Road.

Radio Nepal's 2 PM English broadcast announced the curfew orders in Kathmandu and Lalitpur, while Kantipur FM's 3 PM broadcast announced the curfew at Bhaktapur.

Local authorities last slapped a five-hour night curfew on Kathmandu and Laliptur Friday September 12 beginning 11 pm. The Friday's curfew order does not include Bhaktapur.

Wednesday's curfew orders has been extended by two hours. nepalnews.com br Sept.17

Maoists kill RPP activist, other details

Maoists Wednesday shot dead RPP activist Bhagirath Yadav in Rupendhai, Radio Nepal said. Yadav died while undergoing treatment at Bhim Hospital of gunshot wounds. A manhunt for the killers has been launched.

Maoists Wednesday shot dead intelligence officer Khatiya Singh Rajbanshi of the National Investigation Department, in the eastern city of Dharan, radio reports said. 

Rajbanshi was shot at a teashop preparing to go to home. The armed attackers were seven in number, according to eyewitnesses. They immediately fled away after the incident. Rajbanshi was regional chief of the Department in Dharan.

Security is highly beefed up in Dharan and hunt for the culprits is going on, the reports said.

Rebels torched 11 village development committee offices including Padmaha, Bayarban and Titaha in Morang overnight; they also torched village development offices in Sunsari and Jhapa, other reports said. 

A soldier was injured in an ambush at district headquarters in Baglung Wednesday morning, Radio Nepal said. Maoists abducted Nepali Congress activist Bam Adhikari in Lumbini overnight, another report said. 

Insurgents overnight torched two abandoned police outposts in Sarlahi. Maoists torched a vehicle at Damak in Jhapa. nepalnews.com br Sept.17