 |
Kathmandu,Sunday February 20, 2000 Fagun 08, 2056.
|
Maoists kill 15 cops in Rolpa
By a Post Reporter
KATHMANDU, Feb 19 - At least 15 policemen were
killed in Rolpa in a powerful bomb explosion early today even as the ruling Nepali
Congress (NC) announced a nationwide anti-Maoist campaign.
A powerful bomb explosion in Ghartigaun VDC,
south-west of Rolpa district headquarters in the mid-western hills, also left 20 other
policemen injured, some of them seriously, according to Mid Western Regional Police
Office, Nepalgunj. The incident occurred at about 01:00 am on Saturday.
Meanwhile, NC party launched a nationwide
anti-Maoist campaign, including in Maoist-affected districts, from today. The campaign,
which coincided with Democracy Day celebrations, saw thousands of activists demonstrating
against the "violent Maoists" holding processions and converging into mass-meets
across the nation.
Addressing a meeting held in the capital city this
afternoon, NC heavyweights including President Girija Prasad Koirala called on the Maoists
to join the mainstream and quit what they billed "politics of murder".
Those killed include, Inspector Sri Ram Acharya of
Lalitpur, Assistant Sub Inspector Hari Shankar Parajuli of Bhojpur, Head Constables Kul
Raj Tharu and Hasta Bahadur Bohara of Banke, according to Mid Western Regional Police
Office, Nepalgunj.
Likewise, constables Nanda Bahadur Bhandari of
Surkhet, Puskar Ghimire of Morang, Dhan Bahadur Ale of Gorkha, Bir Bahadur Kumal of
Bardia, Chandra Bahadur Thapa of Banke, Laxmi Prasad Thapa of Tanahu, Tek Bahadur Gharti
of Banke, Indra Bista of Bhojpur, Kashi Ram Khanal of Arghakanchhi, Krishna Kafley of
Udaypur and Padam Lal Shakya of Pyuthan.
Similarly, the mid-night explosion left a Sub
Inspector, an Assistant Sub Inspector, three Head Constables, and around one dozen
constables injured.
Seven of the injured police were airlifted to the
capital after a short first-aid drop at Western Regional Hospital, Pokhara. The rest are
currently receiving treatment at the Pokhara Regional Hospital and Nepalgunj-based
Birendra Police Hospital, according to officials.
A large group of Maoist rebels had attacked the
Police Post after mid-night. Officials said the heavily-armed rebels first shot the
Post’s gatekeeper dead, before hurling the explosives. The area lies seven
hours’ walk away from Liwang.
Following the explosion, a violent cross-firing
between the Maoists and police was reported, according officials. The cross-firing lasted
till 4 a.m.
A total of 39 police personnel were guarding the
post. Though officials placed casualties on the Maoist side too, the same could not be
independently confirmed.
More than 1,100 people have been killed during the
last four years of Maoist insurgency. Of them, around 800 are Maoists, more than 100 are
police personnel while almost 200 are "common men" - a good number of NC workers
forming the last category.
The "People’s War" launched by
underground Communist Party of Nepal - Maoists entered its fifth year on February 12.
Other Stories
|
