A bloody end to the cease-fire
At least 39 killed in Maoists hit in Dang, Syangja

Post News Team

KATHMANDU, Nov 24 - At least 39 persons, mostly policemen and soldiers, have been confirmed killed in separate rebel Maoist attacks on police posts and army barracks in Dang and Syangja districts Friday night.

Though the rebels launched raids in several districts throughout the Kingdom, the bloodiest battles occurred in Dang and Syangja districts. The Home Ministry, however, confirmed the death of only 37 persons in a statement released here late Saturday. Later in the evening, Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka told the reporters that about 70-80 Maoists have been killed in these incidents.

High-ranking police and army officers in Dang and Syangja suspect that the Maoists too have sustained heavy casualties, but that most of their dead were carried away making it impossible to ascertain the toll on their side.

The carnage in Dang: Our reporter in Dang, K P Ghimire, reported that nearly a day after the attacks, Ghorahi, the district headquarters where the attacks were focused, was still in smoke. The Sri Bhawani Prasad Baks Gulm (barracks), which was one of the major targets of the rebels, were still burning on Saturday evening. And, most of the district level government buildings have been reduced to a cinder by bomb explosions. They include the District Administration Office, District Land Revenue Office, banks offices, District Forest Office, district police offices, SP quarter, district jail premises and quarter of the chief district officer.

Dozens of crude unexploded ordinances lay on the streets of the district headquarters, mostly near the site of the attacks. They had yet to be defused by Saturday evening.

Informations pieced together by our reporter Ghimire bespeak of a massive attack that took the security forces completely by surprise. He reported that the rebels launched a daring raid on Sri Bawani Prasad Baks Gulm, killing at least 12 soldiers on the spot, including the barracks commander Major Naresh Upreti. Two others died while being rushed for treatment, local officers said, adding that 26 soldiers had been wounded in the attack.

In another attack on the Dang District Police Office, rebels killed four policemen. Another five policemen were gunned down in Narayanpur police post of the same district, Police Inspector Kushal Purush Dhakal said. Two civilians - Bishnu Gautam, an employment of Truck Entrepreneurs’ Association, and Ishwori Prasad Rijal, a bachelor level student at Mahendra Multiple Campus - also died in a cross-fire near the Ghorahi Traffic Police Post. Fourteen policemen are reported injured in the shootings.

Several important government offices, all located in the district headquarters of Ghorahi, were also attacked by the rebels, police here said. Rebels also looted a total of Rs 64.8 million in cash and 59 packets of gold, 3 packets of silver and three guns from three local banks.

According to eyewitness accounts, the rebels who numbered in the "thousands" breifly took Ghorahi under their control before fleeing the scene with a large chunk of arms and ammunition looted from the army barracks and police offices. Army sources said that the rebels looted 99 Self-Loading Rifles and a few machine guns from the barracks.

Maoist guerrillas also abducted the Chief District Officer(CDO) of Dang Lok Bahadur Khatri and took him toward Rolpa district, sources said. However, he was set free later today. Before fleeing the scene, rebels also attacked the local prison, freeing 37 prisoners. A dozen more people held by police in the police office were also also set free by the Maoists.

Syangja: Meanwhile, in the north-western district of Syangja, another carnage was unfolding simultaneously. In raids on several police posts in the district, rebels killed 14 policemen, including Inspector Mohammed Nur Aalam. At least nine other policemen were injured and were rushed for treatment to Pokhara.

Our reporter Om Prakash Sharma said that the attacks began at 10:30 p.m. Friday night and last till 2 a.m. this morning. Govinda Sapkota , an officer with the Area Administration Office, Waling, said that the remaining policemen were forced to surrender after they ran out of bullets. Rebels also looted 33 rifles from the police posts.

Here’s a list of other places hit by the Maoists on Friday night -

In Chitwan, the Maoists exploded bombs in various places. The attack has caused damage to the building of District Administration Office (DAO and the Chanauli Police Post

In Jumla, the Maoists have abducted Agni Raj Upadyaya, local leader of the Rastriya Jana Morcha.

In Parbat, the rebels blew up two buildings of Community Police Service at the district headquarter. According to our district correspondent, Maoists had planted pressure cooker bomb in both the buildings.

In Hetauda, the Maoists have partially damaged the DAO building. However, police and the army personnel were able to defuse the bomb planted at the entrance gate of Nepal Lever Limited.

In Sindhuli, the rebels have partially damaged the DAO and chanted slogans after the bomb they had planted exploded.

In Dhankuta, the Maoists tried to destroy the unmanned police check post at Jitpur VDC. However, they returned without completely destroying it after the locals’ request.

In Dhading, the car belonging to DDC Chairman, Khem Prasad Lohani at the premises of the District Development Committee was completely destroyed by the bomb planted by the rebels.

In Lamjung, the rebels have partially damaged DAO by hurling bombs.

In Guleriya, Maoists have vandalized the residence of Minister for General Administration, Khem Raj Mayalu. According to our district correspondent, thresher machine, rice mill and tractor have been completely destroyed. The rebels have also destroyed documents of Small Farmer Development Project.

In Siraha, army personnel were able to defuse the socket bomb planted by the rebels at the premises of DAO.

In Ramechap, police have foiled the rebels’ attempts to blow up the Land Revenue Office at the district headquarter.

Meanwhile, 90 policemen stationed at Daramba VDC police check post left the post for the District headquarter.

In Dhangadi, Maoists have also damaged Land Revenue Office at District headquarter and Agricultural Development Bank at Darakh VDC. The Maoists also attacked State Minister Ramjanam Chaudhary’s house, setting fire a motor bike kept outside the house and looted some quintals of rice. In Myagdi, Nepal Electricity Authority Office at Beni Bazaar was partially destroyed from the pressure cooker bomb set off by Maoists last night.

In Inarawa, Maoists exploded bombs at the premises of Area Police Office on Saturday Morning. Immediately after the explosion, Police were able to arrest one of the Maoists responsible for the attack.

Govt poised to declare Maoists as terrorists

By Damakant Jayshi

KATHMANDU, Nov 24 – A day after the Maoists launched daring and well co-ordinated attacks on Friday night across the country, a flurry of heightened political and strategic activities marked the day today, the top of the list being total army mobilisation against the rebels.

Throughout Saturday, the situation remained fluid with unconfirmed reports that the government was preparing to declare the state of emergency. As an indication of decisive action, the National Defence Council late Saturday night approved the unofficial mobilisation of the army. Reports from across the country said that army has been mobilised in several parts of the country after Friday’s attacks.

In a significant development, King Gyanendra summoned Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and inquired about the Maoists attacks, said a release issued by His Majesty’s Principal Press Secretariat.

The government today discussed the possible steps to be taken against the Maoists including declaring them as terrorists that is expected to pave the way for total mobilisation of the army and other security forces against the insurgents.

Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka, briefing the journalists after the emergency Cabinet meeting today, said, "The Maoists were terrorists and should be branded as such." He added that the government would not hesitate in taking any tough measures against the Maoists who unilaterally broke the four-month old cease-fire.

Khadka also said that although the ruling Nepali Congress had branded the Maoists as terrorists, it has not been practised till now. Moreover, the government is yet to declare them as terrorists. He also revealed that the Central Working Committee of the party would sit for its emergency meeting, followed by another Cabinet meeting tomorrow. The government’s exact response would be known then, he said, but declined to either confirm or rule out the possibility of declaring emergency.

"We are all deeply saddened by the developments and mourn the security men who achieved martyrdom in the attacks," the Home Minister said. "But we are also determined to take any action that will be necessary to maintain law and order in the country."

Before the Cabinet meeting today, the Prime Minister held an emergency meeting with the top officials of the government, the army and the police. Inspector General of Police Pradip Shumsher JB Rana told the journalists that the security forces took the stock of the situation and discussed possible steps in the wake of the attacks. The meeting was attended by acting army chief and the IGP of the Armed Police Force.

An all-part meet that followed the Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence today backed the government in taking "any appropriate measure to protect the lives and property of the citizens." Two influential leaders from the main opposition, CPN (United Marxist Leninist), K P Oli and Jhala Nath Khanal said that it was up to the government to take any step to protect the citizens.

Former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai clearly said that the government has to brand the rebels as terrorists and mobilise the army against them.

They were replying to questions on the army mobilisation and the UML’s stance on it. "The government does not need to mobilise the army; the Maoists have already initiated their mobilisation themselves," said Oli. He added that the Maoists were people with extremist views and involved in terrorist activities. In its official reaction, the party expressed deep concern on the loss of lives.

Two other national parties, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Nepal Sadbhawana Party, issuing separate statements have also condemned the Maoist attacks. All the three parties also said that the dialogue was the only way to find a peaceful solution to the Maoist problem.

C P Mainali of CPN (ML), while expressing concern, said that the attacks could just be "a pressure tactics" of the Maoists.

Although the ruling NC did not come up with an official statement today, it is holding an emergency CWC meeting tomorrow. Sushil Koirala, the General Secretary of the party said that the NC would discuss terrorism. He added that the government would have to take tough measures. "The Maoists have to be declared as terrorists and the army has to be mobilised against them who have violated the government’s good intentions," said Koirala.

The NC CWC meeting tomorrow is expected to approve the government stance on declaring the Maoists as terrorists. The approval became necessary, said the Home Minister, as the government had held three rounds of negotiations with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) before the Maoists unilaterally withdrew from the peace talks with the government.

A statement from the Home Ministry expressed "deep concern on the attacks, which came at a time when the government was honestly trying to find a solution to the problem." The statement added that the government has already activated all the security wings, warning that the government would take any step to control violence.

Meanwhile, issuing a press statement, chairman of CPN (Maoist) Comrade Prachanda "praised" the attacks launched by the "People’s Liberation Army" (PLA) on Friday night. The statement, given as the Supreme Commander of the PLA and the chairman of the underground party, also saluted the cadres who lost their lives in the struggle.

Prachanda’s statement also said that the "United Revolutionary People’s Council" (parallel central government) that was formed yesterday would get the full co-operation as a strategic force. Yet Prachanda also said that the Maoists were still in favour of dialogue with the government to find a lasting solution.

NDC meet decides to deploy army

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Nov 24 – An emergency meeting of the National Defence Council that includes Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Chief of Army Staff held a meeting deciding to deploy army in various parts of the country.

The meeting was attended by Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Durga Nath Aryal, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pradip SJB Rana, Inspector General of Armed Police Force Krishna Mohan Shrestha and other army officers. Chief of Army Staff Prajwalla SJB Rana did not attend the meeting. He is returning to Nepal from Germany tomorrow.

Further details of the meeting could not be known, but a source close to the army headquarters said that "the Council meet took stock of the security situation in the Maoist stronghold areas and decided to send the army for operations".

Analysts here say Maoists have finally stirred the hornet’s nest by killing at least 14 armymen based in Bhavani Prasad Barrack, Dang, Friday night. The raid, described as daring and well co-ordinated one, is being seen here as the most violent one since the start of the rebel outfit’s armed uprising six years ago.

Prior to this the rebels had shot one soldier dead during the general elections in 1999. He was guarding ballot boxes in a western district of the country. Minister for Home and Local Development Khum Bahadur Khadka today informed that the Maoists also looted 99 self-loaded rifles (SLRs) and other arms and ammunition from the army barrack in Lamahi, Dang, after bombing it.

The RNA has not made public the names of the army men killed in the incident. A total of 237 army personnel were stationed in the barrack, according to reports. However, only 105 army personnel were present at the time of the Maoist raid.

During the attacks, the rebels killed, among the 14, the chief of the barrack Major Naresh Upreti and one Captain. But the government has not made public the names of the others killed in the attack. According to reports, at least 26 army men injured in the incident are currently undergoing treatment in the Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni. One of them succumbed to injuries while being rushed to the capital.

One staff at the Tribhuvan International Airport, who preferred to be unnamed, told The Kathmandu Post that an army-owned Avro plane carried almost 200 RNA personnel in four sorties as reinforcement to the affected districts, including Dang. One Defence Ministry official confirmed the police and army reinforcements were sent to Dang from Nepalgunj and Butwal.

Security at the airport was tight all day today.

According to sources, bodies of 14 RNA personnel injured Friday night have already been brought to the capital. Another source at the Pashupati Aryaghat based crematorium said the RNA headquarters had told them to prepare at least 12 pyres. "Since we have the capacity of cremating only seven bodies we told them that we were unable to prepare 12 funeral pyres," said the source.

Meanwhile, Defence Ministry has issued a press release saying that the activities of the Maoists had endangered the sovereignty as well as democracy in the country. "It has become clear that the Maoists are trying to force a one-party system with the help of gun in place of democracy on the people," the statement said.

The statement added, "The Royal Nepalese Army along with other security forces vow not to step back from its responsibility to uphold law and order in the country, and will counter Maoist activities in a more effective and co-ordinated manner." The Defence Ministry also asked for co-operation in this regard from all people.

Nearly five months ago, the army had cordoned the Maoist rebels in Nuwagaon of Rolpa district where the rebels had held hostage as many as 72 policemen.

44 armed policemen go missing from Kalidamar

NEPALGANJ, Nov 24 (PR)- Forty six policemen with the recently formed Armed Police Force unit fell under the trap of an ambush laid by Maoists Saturday evening near Kalidamar in Surkhet district. They were heading towards Birendranagar from the Banke. Fourty-four of them are reported missing.

Two constables, however, managed to escape from the ambush and made contacts with Major Ajit Thapa of Bhimkali Company based at Chisapani. No further information regarding the 44 missing policmen could be known. The policemen were armed with Self Loading Rifles (SLRs). The Surkhet District Police Office said it had no official information about the incident.

The armed policemen were travelling on a hired truck (Bhe. 1. Kha 46) towards the construction site of the proposed regional office of the armed wing of the Nepal Police. The incident came to the knowledge of the officials after it failed to reach its destination by the sceduled time. Police had carried out massive searches after the team could not reach Surkhet It takes less than four hours to cover the 100-km distance between Bageshwori camp in Banke to the proposed regional office site in Surkhet.

The team was led by Inspector Nar Bahadur Rawal and had one Sub-Inspector, two Assistant Sub-Inspectors, three Senior Head Constables, six Constables, and 33 other policemen. Police had no clue on the whereabouts of their missing colleagues till late Saturday. Police had not been able to make contacts with the missing policemen over the radio sets either.

With enough spotted deer to prey on, tigers are fatter in Shukla Phanta

By Surendra Phuyal

SHUKLA PHANTA (Kanchanpur), Nov 24 – Royal Bengal tigers are known for their large territories extending from 40 to 60 square kilometres, an area roughly the size of Bhaktapur. Jungle kings they are – after all.

Occupying big, if not bigger, territories may be the rule of the game for the Royal Bengals in other parts of the Indian subcontinent, to which they are endemic. Well, that might happen in Jim Carbett-Rajhaji park or Kanha park in India, or nearby Bardia park, or even Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki forests that connect central Nepal’s Chitwan park and Parsa reserve with Bihar (India)’s Valmiki reserve.

But not here in Shukla Phanta in the far-western Terai.

Bucking a global trend and taking park managers and wildlife experts by surprise, the Royal Bengals are continuing to grow in number. And all this in a small area like Shukla Phanta, whose open grasslands and Sal forests covering an area of 355-sq km provide suitable habitat to not just the Royal Bengals but also to their prey – spotted deer or Barhasingas - and other endangered animals like one-horned rhinos and wild Asian elephants.

Findings of a recent camera-trap-based tiger count are simply stunning: It has revealed that 26 adult Royal Bengals reside – which involves, preying, wandering and relaxing – in the reserve’s 55 to 60-sq km area, characterised by vast grasslands and riverine forests. What this means that an adult Royal Bengal resides in an area as congested as five to six square kilometres – and not 40 or 50 to 60 square kilometres - in Shukla Phanta.

"I was simply amazed; surprised to find such a high density of Royal Bengal tiger population in such a small area," says Keshav Acharya, a Ranger at the reserve. "There is a huge mismatch between the number our college professors suggested us and the reality here – 5 versus 50 sq km. This is an exceptional, unique case."

Adds the reserve’s Warden, Surya Bahadur Pande, "Nowhere on earth have experts found the Royal Bengals living in smaller territories like they are doing here in Shukla Phanta."

And there is a very good reason behind all this: Just like the population density of the Royal Bengals, the population density of spotted deer, too, is very high, if not exceptionally high. More than 10 spotted deer live in an area as congested as one square kilometre here, according to a recent survey carried out by the reserve.

The vast grasslands of Shukla Phanta are home to 3,500-plus spotted deer.

And because there are a lot of spotted deer for tigers to prey on, the Royal Bengals of Shukla Phanta are fatter and bigger – so much so.

"Nepal’s biggest tiger lives in Shukla," Warden Pande says proudly. "Her name is Majhgaun Pothi (female) and she resides in this very area, Majhgaun – where the reserve headquarters is based." According to Ranger Acharya, the adult tigress’ pug mark measured 17 centimetres in length, which suggests that the tigress is must be between 10 to 12 feet long."

The healthy tigress wanders about the park headquarters premises at night. The Royal Nepal Army officer, who has a contingent of army to look after the reserve, recalls how fierce the tigress was appearing when she killed a wild boar just in front of his little barrack recently. "She burns bright and turns brighter at night," he says.

Warden Pande claims that the Royal Bengals in the reserve are healthy and argues that a healthy tiger seldom attacks humans or cattle. "We have kept two male buffaloes and a bull here at our headquarters, but they are never attacked. After all she (Majhgaun Pothi) is a Royal Bengal tigress, Nepal’s biggest tiger. Why should she attack poor, domesticated animals or humans?"

Whatever the density of the Royal Bengals, they are simply elusive in Shukla Phanta. No matter how many times you go on jungle drives, chances of having a glimpse of the ‘mighty symbol of all that is wild on earth’ tend to be slim, if this reporter’s experience is any thing to go by.

Only 7,000 tigers are left in the wild and all in the Indian subcontinent, according to the United Nation’s Environment Programme (UNEP). In Nepal, their population hovers around 300, according to figures compiled by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – Nepal and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC).