Continuing Attacks

Even as parties decide to launch their decisive phase of stir, the stepped up violence by the Maoists is disturbing their strategy

By A CORRESPONDENT

Even after reaching a second understanding with the Maoist leaders in New Delhi , India , the Maoists have continued to step up their violent activities across the country unleashing a wave of fear and terror, which is undermining the parties’ announced decisive stir that is set to begin from April 6.

Concerned by the stepped up attacks, the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) held early this week has asked the Maoists to declare ceasefire and stop all kinds of violent activities.

Stating that their increasing violent activities were terrifying the people, the UML pointed out that it was adversely affecting the peaceful agitation of the seven parties. The statement issued after the meeting stated that the violent activities were negatively affecting the scheduled programs of agitation by the seven parties. The meeting was chaired by acting general secretary Amrit Kumar Bohara.

Likewise, addressing his party cadres in Biratnagar , NC president Girija Prasad Koirala also asked the Maoists to abide by 12-point understanding – which, he said, could form the roadmap for peace if honestly implemented.

Last week, the Maoists stepped up attacks opening fire at busy markets and exploding bombs elsewhere. In a busy market in Kalaiya – headquarters of Bara district - on Thursday (March 23) morning – a policeman Shiva Kumar Thapa was killed while a journalist S.P. Shrestha and a health worker Bhikhari Prasad Saha were injured. The Maoists opened fire at a gathering of people reading newspapers at Bharatchowk in Kalaiya. In a separate incident, two passengers were injured when a passenger bus fell into roadside mine planted by the Maoists in Nepalgunj-Kohalpur road section.

Likewise, the Maoists raided Urlabari – a busy city of Morang district on Wednesday. Six people including two police personnel, three Maoists and a civilian were killed in a clash between the raiding Maoists and security personnel. Four security personnel and a civilian were injured in the incident. According to security forces, the Maoists attempted, in vain, to loot the money by opening fire at a vehicle carrying cash from Rastriya Banijya Bank at Urlabari Bazar.

Two days after withdrawing blockades and announcing second understanding with the seven political parties, the Maoists attacked Area Police Office in Birtamod, Jhapa killing nine police personnel. Armed Maoists entered into the city in the morning on trucks and opened fire and hurled bombs once they reached in front of police and traffic office. Twenty-two police personnel were injured in the incident. Three Maoists and one elderly lady were killed in the crossfire. In a separate attack, one police personnel was killed when the Maoists opened indiscriminate fire at a police post in Bhanu Chowk in Dharan on Tuesday.

In Lalitpur, two persons including a security guard and a staff were seriously injured when a Maoist hurled a socket bomb into the premises of King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation in Jawalakhel on March 21. Crown Prince Paras is the chairman of the trust. Meanwhile, at least 21 Maoists were killed in an operation conducted by Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) in Darhechowk area of Dhading district on Tuesday (March 21) morning. Acting on a tip-off that a large number of armed Maoists were camping in the area since two days, a team of RNA’s Ranger Battalion raided the Chautara hill-top and washed out the insurgents, according to RNA.