Army starts patrolling in Lamjung

Post Report

KATHMANDU, July 13 - The Royal Nepal Army (RNA) begun its night patrolling from Wednesday to thwart any impending Maoist attacks in Besisahar, the district headquarters of Lamjung, sources here said.

The sources said that RNA patrolling is basically aimed at protecting government property and public lives in the district headquarters.

An RNA contingent was deployed in this Maoist affected hilly-district after the rebels killed eight policemen attacking the Bhorletar based area police post on September 27, 2000.

Meanwhile, police source said that almost all the policemen, except those stationed at Bhorletar, assigned in remote areas have been called back to the District Police Office in view of impending Maoist attacks.

Police decided to vacate the vulnerable posts after the rebels shot 21 policemen dead in Bichaur area police station on last Friday.

Police said the security personnel from Kunchha, Soti Pasal, Tarkughat and Tinpiple have arrived at Bhorletar police station, about 15 km south of here.

Other policemen from Duranda, Chiti, Khudi and Bahundanda have been called back to the district headquarters.

Meanwhile, a report from Sindhuli stated that the District Police Office has shifted five small police posts located in remote villages to the nearest area police office for security reasons.

Locals said Maoist rebels destroyed the Budhauli post shortly after the policemen left the post. DSP Raju Manandhar could not assess the property damaged from the arson.

Our correspondent from Sindhupalchok said the rebels set a police post and the documents of Small Farmers’ Development Project at Nawalpur on fire on Wednesday. There were no police personnel when the rebels attacked the post.

Locals said that rebels looted about Rs 27,000 in cash from the project office.

Likewise, all 59 policemen abandoned the Bhingri police outpost and arrived at Devisthan area police post for fear of safety after receiving the Maoist threats on Thursday, according to the District Police Office.

The rebels set the post on fire after the police deserted the post. Earlier on last Tuesday, the rebels abducted 21 police recruits from the same post.

Our Tikapur based reporter said that the rebels destroyed at least six abandoned police posts located in rural areas of Kailali district, one of the Maoist-hit Terai districts in the far-western region.

Talks on prison reforms

Post Report

KATHMANDU, July 13 - A recent dialogue among government officials, human right activists and Nakhkhu Jail prisoners came to an end with the consensus to immediately improve Nakhkhu Jail facility as demanded by the prisoners. The talks on improving jail condition was held in the leadership of Maoist activist Matrika Yadav.

In order to solve the prisoners’ problem on behalf of human rights activists present during the talks were Padma Ratna Tuladhar and Malla K. Sundar.

Abducted cops’ release sought

KATHMANDU, July 13 (PR) - The National Human Rights Commission today expressing concern over the abduction of seventy-one policemen by the Maoists in Rolpa on Thursday, has demanded for their immediate release.

Such abduction would invite more disastrous situation in the country and such act would not help in the protection of human rights, states a press release issued here today.

The release has also asked the government not to resort to force but to be careful and look for peaceful means to solve the crisis.