Kathmandu, Lalitpur declared as ‘riot zones’, curfew in Kirtipur

The District Administration Offices (DAO) of Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts have declared the areas within the Ring Road as riot areas, banning protests and other group activities.

Issuing separate statements this evening, the DAOs of Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts said rallies, demonstrations and the other group activities, except religious processions, have been banned in the areas inside the Ring Road. The prohibitory orders will come into effect from midnight Thursday. 

The statements said that security officials are allowed to arrest anybody without arrest warrants if they are found to be involved in suspicious activities.

The Home Ministry is a separate statement today said it has beefed up security in the Kathmandu valley in view of the Maoist infiltration in the ongoing five party protests. “The ministry has come across credible information that the Maoists are planning to turn the five party protests violent,” said the statement.

Meanwhile, the Kathmandu DAO has issued curfew orders at few parts of Kirtipur. The DAO said in its statement issued this evening that curfew has been imposed at a few areas of Kirtipur saying some unruly people are trying to block roads and create disorder in the society. nepalnews.com mbk April 8 04

Related News
- Valley declared riot affected area
- Curfew in parts of Kathmandu

ADB grants Rs.2.55 billion to Nepal

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide a grant assistance of Rs.2.55 billion (US$36 million) to Nepal for the implementation of three different projects, RSS reported Thursday.

Bhanu Prasad Aachrya, secretary of the Finance Minsitry and ADB’s regional director S Hafiz Rahman signed an agreement today at the ministry.

The grant assistance will be spent on the implementation of Kathmandu Valley Water Services Development Project, Community Livestock Development Program and assisting the consumer groups of water supply projects in different parts of the country. nepalnews.com mbk April 8 04

Related News
- $321 million ADB loan

Kanchanpur locals beat 7 Maoists to death

At least seven Maoist militants were killed in a retaliatory attack by the locals of Parasan VDC in Kanchanpur district on Wednesday night. 

Thousands of villagers of two adjoining villages of Parasan VDC came out to take on the insurgents and beat seven of them to death after capturing them. Reports said two Maoist area commanders have also been killed in the incident. Three Maoists including two women rebels were killed in Ka Gaon while four were killed in Cha Gaon. 

The villagers are learnt to have retaliated the Maoists as the ultras tried to abduct them. The Maoists had abducted hundreds of locals earlier and had been forcing the youths to join their military. 

The area remains tense following the incident. Large number security forces have been deployed from the district headquarters to the area.

Fearing backlash from the rebels, reports said, the villagers have requested the local administration to set up a permanent security post in the area. nepalnews.com mbk April 8 04

Related News
- Maoists abduct over 2,000, abduction results in exodus

Their Majesties visit Nawalparasi, Gorkha

King Gyanendra and Queen Komal visited Nawalparasi and Gorkha districts on Thursday. 

In Nawalparasi, the King and the Queen were felicitated amid a special ceremony at Parasi Bazaar. The royal couple was presented with felicitation notes by various organizations as well as ordinary citizens. 

Chairman of Nawalparasi District Development Committee Chinta Mani Pokhrel read out and later presented a felicitation note that outlined the concerns of the people of the district. 

Likewise, the King and the Queen were felicitated in Gorkha district amid a similar function this afternoon. 

With the visit of Nawalparasi and Gorkha, Their Majesties wrap up their tour to 16 Western districts. The royals will return to the capital on Friday. nepalnews.com mbk April 8 04

Related News
- Their Majesties felicitated in Rupandehi, Kapilbastu and Palpa

Taxi blown up in Bhaktapur, other details

Suspected Maoists blew up a taxi at Gatthaghar, Bhaktapur Thursday afternoon.

At around 12.15 this afternoon, two suspected Maoists posing as passengers left the bomb inside a taxi numbered Ba.1.Ja 5071, got the driver out and detonated the bomb. The vehicle was completely destroyed in the blast. No casualties have been reported. 

Meanwhile, the Maoists have brought down a statue of Late King Prithivi Narayan Shah in Bidur Municipality of Nuwakot by detonating a bomb this morning. Reports said the statue built in 2037 B.S is completely destroyed. 

Likewise, in Parsa, the rebels carried out a major blast at a bridge over Sirsaiya River at Lipani area. Reports said traffic has been affected following the explosion. nepalnews.com mbk April 8 04

Related News
- Two blasts in the capital, two injured

RNAC plane not targeted: CAAN

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) issuing a press release Wednesday clarified that there was no attack targeting a Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation’s (RNAC) aircraft at Bajhang airport on Tuesday.

The CAAN in its release said that a Twin Otter aircraft of the RNAC which took off from Nepalgunj landed at Bajhang at 10.10 a.m. When the engine was started for the return flight, an explosion was heard outside the airport. 

“A sound of firing was heard about three minutes after the plane took off from Bajhang to Nepalgunj,” said the release. 

“The explosion and firing took place outside the airport compound and were not targeted at the plane,” the release quoting the captain of the aircraft LB Thakali said. nepalnews.com pd Apr 08 04

Related News
- Maoists attempt attack on RNAC aircraft

Nepal-US joint army exercises 

At least 30 US soldiers are conducting joint training exercises with the Royal Nepalese Army in Nepal since Tuesday, The Himalayan Times Thursday said.

"Apart from joint training exercises with the RNA's Special Force, the American soldiers will be working with RNA in communication, medical, engineering and logistics," the daily said quoting army sources. 

Civil aviation sources confirmed the arrival of the American C-130 Hercules aircraft which brought the US soldiers. An RNA 11 Brigade source said the US flight crew was learning flying skills over Nepali terrain with the help of RNA personnel, the daily reported.

"The flight and maintenance crew of C-130 is here for joint training exercises," the daily quoted American Center Director, Constance Colding-Jones as saying. Jones added a US Congress delegation is expected on Thursday to "collect information" about the whole region (South Asia).

About delivery of the next consignment of M-16 rifles, the daily quoting Jones, who is also press secretary for the US embassy in Katmandu, said, "The RNA has asked for 20,000 M-16 rifles but delivery of those weapons will basically depend upon their manufacture." 

Sources believe the next consignment of M-16 rifles will be delivered to the RNA soon. After United States delivers 20,000 M-16 rifles, the RNA's 72,000-strong force will be equipped with a total 25,000 similar weapons. The erstwhile Deuba government had purchased 5,000 M-16 rifles to combat the ongoing Maoist problem, the daily reported.

Most of the rifles being used by the RNA are over 30 years old and unreliable in battles. The US President has agreed to provide $17 million to the RNA in military hardware assistance. The aid package will be used basically to pay for 20,000 M-16 rifles and night vision equipment, it is reported.

According to the report, the government wants to change the largely ceremonial RNA into a modern, front-line, counter-insurgency fighting force. It is believed that the US is assisting the RNA to force the Maoists to sue for peace, compelling its leaders to return to the negotiating table. 

The daily quoting its sources added the 39 platoons in the western Nepal will be provided the new M-16 rifles, which are lighter, accurate and malfunction proof. nepalnews.com pd Apr. 08 04

Maoists release 31 abductees

Maoists Wednesday released 31 persons abducted by them on Monday from Ayashok bazaar of Panchthar district, a daily reported Thursday.

According to The Himalayan Times, a group of 50 Maoists had abducted 31 civilians, including students and a former DDC member, Durga Chamling. 

According to the report, Maoists forced the abductees to walk the whole night before releasing them on Wednesday at Rabi bazaar in Panchthar district. They were released in the presence of Maoist leader of Mechi-Koshi zones, Bashu Shakya. nepalnews.com pd Apr 08 04

Related News
- Beni captives released

Maoists attack police post in Ilam, kill two 

Two policemen including a police inspector were killed in a gun battle with Maoists on Wednesday night and Thursday morning in Pashupatinagar Area Police Post of Ilam district, Katmandu based security sources told Nepalnews. 

The dead police inspector has been identified as Kraju Kumar Rai. Many policemen are still missing, the source said. “Many Maoist rebels launched a sudden attack at the police post at 11pm on Wednesday. The number of the rebels could not be verified,” he added.

“18 policemen are already reported to have established contact while others are still missing,” the source said adding, “The number of security personnel deployed in the Pashupatinagar Area Police Post was not immediately available.”

Many Maoists were suspected to have been killed in the clash but the number of casualties on their side is still awaited. The rebels are said to have carried away the bodies of their dead comrades.

The Maoists blasted bombs destroying the Area Customs Office, Area Administration Office and the Police Post in Pashupatinagar, the source said. The gun battle lasted for 5 hours. nepalnews.com pd Apr 08 04

Related News
- Maoists attack police post in Dhanusha, kill 9 policemen

Police violence undermines Reform Process: HRW

A statement issued by the Human Rights Watch from New York on Thursday has asked the Nepali government to ensure there is no repeat of the April 4 incident in which police used excessive force against peaceful protestors.

"The violence by Nepali police was shocking and unnecessary," said Brad Adams, executive director of the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch. "It is particularly disturbing given the government's recent public pledges to abide by a code of conduct."

On April 4, police attacked and injured at least 150 people in Kathmandu during an "anti-regression" march organized by five opposition parties. Among the injured were two children and several leading members of the protesting parties. Five of the injured are still in critical condition at Bir Hospital, the statement said.

The HRW reiterated the need for the current session of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights to adopt a resolution that would
authorize the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to assist Nepal's National Human Right Commission to monitor, investigate and report on the human rights situation in Nepal, and to offer technical assistance on subjects such as the U.N. Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials and the proper way for police to respond to demonstrations.

The Principles require that law enforcement officials, in carrying out their duty, shall as far as possible apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force. Whenever the lawful use of force is unavoidable, law enforcement officials must use restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense. The legitimate objective should be achieved with minimal damage and injury, and preservation of human life respected. nepalnews.com dr Apr. 08 04

Related News
- NDYCUSA for protests against ‘regression’
- Five-party protests continue