Police-Maoist clashes
Maoists kill 41 policemen in Lamjung, Nuwakot and Gulmi

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 7: Forty-one policemen were killed and several others injured, when the Maoists attacked the police posts in Lamjung, Nuwakot and Gulmi districts last night.

In Lamjung, 22 police personnel, including a police inspector and a sub-inspector, were killed by the Maoists when they attacked the police post at Bichaur Village Development Committee of the district.

According to our correspondent in Tanahu, the attack had come at about 2:30 A.M. at night and the exchange of fire continued till five in the morning. Citing CDO of the district, the correspondent said the Maoists had destroyed the police post with bullets and bombs and they also looted all the weapons.

Meanwhile, talking to The Rising Nepal, chairman of the District Development Committee said that he heard that the policemen were killed by the Maoists after they had surrendered when they ran out of ammunitions.

The post was manned by 24 police personnel led by Inspector Kiran Singh Thapa and two policemen are alive.

Those killed are police inspector Kiran Singh Thapa of Kathmandu, police sub-inspectors Chop Bahadur Pandey of Arghakhanchi and Bhagwat Shrestha of Gulmi, and police sergeants Dam Bahadur Gurung of Gorkha, Yam Bahadur Gurung of Tanahu, Kul Man Singh Gurung of Tanahu, Lilaram Pariyar of Tanahu and Chandra Prasad Dhungana of Kaski.

The policemen killed are Pancharam Chaudhary of Nawalparasi, Top Lal Banda of Gorkha, Rup Narayan Yadav of Bara, Chet Narayan Tharu of Nawalparasi, Ramesh Raj Magar of Rupandehi, Samar Bahadur Chhetri of Parbat, Om Bahadur Ranamagar of Tanahu, Shivaji Neupane of Tanahu, Baburam Chaudhari of Nawalparasi, Prem Bahadur Bohora of Bhojpur, Yam Bahadur Parajuli of Syangja, Prahlad Bogati of Sindhupalchowk and Gokarna Raj Pant of Parbat.

The Bichaur police post lies about 30 miles and is the farthest post from the district headquarters.

Meanwhile, the DDC Chairman said the Maoists, when they were leaving, have burnt three persons by dousing them with kerosene. Their faces are totally burnt and are unidentifiable. One of them is suspected to be a woman called Parbati Dawadi, and the other two men are suspected to be Maoists. The Chairman said he does not know other details.

In Nuwakot, 10 police personnel died when the Maoists attacked the Taruka police post and three other police personnel of the reinforcement group are injured one of them seriously.

Those who had died are Assistant Sub-inspector Badri Prasad Mahato, police sergeants Dor Prakash Khatri and Ramchandra K.C. and police constables Purna Bahadur Shrestha, Jitlal Shrestha, Purna Lal Sunar, Lallan Kumar Raut, Lok Bahadur Mahato, Birendra Thakur Mahato and Shyam Mohan Adhikary.

Three other police personnel – police inspector Udaya Raj Bhujel and policemen Purna Bahadur Pun and Bir Bahadur Karki - of the reinforcement team are also injured. Of them Bhujel is seriously injured. The injured ones are brought to Kathmandu.

According to Mod Raj Dotel, Chief District Officer, the Maoists attack came at about 10:45 in the evening and for about one and a half hours there were firings from both sides.

Meanwhile, there was a reinforcement team with more than 20 police personnel on the way to the police post led by a police inspector. A second reinforcement team of 20 personnel had also gone led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Bikram Singh Thapa himself.

Dotel said the police post lies about 5 hours walk uphill across the Trishuli River and when DSP Thapa’s team was barely about 50 metres up the hill it was ambushed and was fired upon. That is where Inspector Bhujel and policemen Pun and Karki were injured in the exchange of fire. But the Maoists fled when the earlier reinforcement also fired upon the Maoists.

The Taruka post was manned by 12 police personnel and two of them managed to remain alive. The CDO said the living policemen are at the district headquarters. The post had a posting of 14 personnel and two of them were on leave.

According to CDO Dotel, local people said the last of the killed policemen was dragged out of the post and was shot dead. The Maoists also suffered some casualties. Later, police found two bodies of the Maoists with combat dress. Local women were also heard talking that they had seen women Maoists dragging their wounded comrades.

Similarly, eight police personnel and a cook were killed and three others injured when the Maoists attacked the police post at Bametaksar in Gulmi.

Bametaksar, about 7 hours walk from the district headquarters, lies near Gulmi’s border with Baglung. It is also trading point between the two districts.

Those killed are Police Sub-inspector Moti Lal Thapa of Nawalparasi and policemen Laxman Pandey of Arghakhanchi, Lila Ghimire of Tanahu, Man Lal B.K. of Syangja, Ram Avatar Yadav of Tanahu, Govinda B. K. of Mahottari. One policeman is unidentified and one is missing. The cook who was killed was Hem Lal Chalise.

According to CDO Nepal, the police post was attacked with bombs by the Maoists at about 8 P.M. in the evening. The number of attackers are suspected to be 200 to 300.

Two huge blasts were even heard at the district headquarters, he said. Nepal said the district police office at the district headquarters received a call about 15 minutes after the attack by wireless. But when it tried to contact the post after about half an hour there was no reply. Throughout the night there was no information.

"The next morning the district headquarters received a call from an Assistant Sub-inspector Bal Bahadur Chhetri of the post from a public telephone saying that the police post has been destroyed completely and there were three dead bodies of the police personnel."

They had tried to send a rescue team immediately, but due to unavailability of helicopter the rescue team could reach the place only at 9 in the morning. There, CDO Nepal said, the post was virtually ravaged to the ground and they dug out six bodies of the police personnel from the debris.

The CDO said there were 31 police personnel apart from the cook, 21 sent from the Gulmi district police and 10 from the Baglung district police office for support. He said the other police personnel are safe.

Meanwhile, a Nepal Television report said altogether 6 police personnel are still missing in the Maoists’ attacks in the three places.

However, the CDO said they suspect about 10 Maoists of being injured. People had heard Maoist women dragging along eight or nine bodies of their friends.

He said the Maoists also looted 2 shotguns and ten .303 rifles of the Gulmi police and nine .303 rifles of the Baglung police. They also looted to communication sets, Nepal said.

His Majesty’s 55th birthday marked

Kathmandu, July 7 (RSS): On the happy occasion of the 55th auspicious birthday of His Majesty the King, a special havan or fire offerings was performed amidst the chanting of hymns from the Vedas at a religious function organised by Nepal Arya Samaj today, wishing for His Majesty’s good health and long life.

At the programme, the Kirateshwar Sangitashram presented a recital of devotional songs.

At the programme presided over by founder president of Nepal Arya Samaj Jaya Prakash, Sita Ram Agrawal, Dr. Bishnu Raj Atreya, Satyapal Sachdeva, Mrs. Hiranya Kumari Pathak and Prakash Rayamajhi extended happy birthday greetings to His Majesty the King.

Meanwhile, Kharel Society Nepal organised a blood donation programme to mark the 55th auspicious birthday of His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

At the programme held under the convenorship of Keshav Raj Kharel, forty-three persons donated blood.

Pokhara: The Auspicious Birthday celebration committee, Kaski, organised a function here today on the occasion of the 55th auspicious birthday of His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

On the occasion, Nepali Congress Kaski district vice-president Yagya Bahadur Thapa, former Minister of State Laxya Bahadur Gurung, Chief District Officer Narendra Raj Poudel, Sita Giri of the CPN-UML, Lekhnath Municipality Mayor Shaligram Poudel and others extended hearty congratulations to His Majesty the King wishing for His Majesty’s long life, good health and glorious reign.

The programme was presided over by Punya Prasad Poudel, chairman of the district development committee (DDC) and convenor of the Auspicious Birthday Celebration District Committee.

Local people’s representatives, chiefs of the district-based offices and representatiives of various political parties and social organisations were present on the occasion.

Biratnagar: The Morang District Development Committee(DDC) organised a function here today to mark the 55th auspicious birthday of His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

On the occasion, various distinguished persons garlanded the portrait of His Majesty and extended best wishes to His Majesty wishing for His Majesty’s long life, happiness and glorious reign.

Chief Judge of the Biratnagar Appellate Court Baliram Kumar said that the responsibility of national development, national unity and fulfilling the people’s aspirations has fallen on His Majesty King Gyanendra’s shoulders following the tragic incident that occurred at the Narayanhity Palace on June 1.

Chief District Officer of Morang Binod Gyawali called for restraint, goodwill, love, peace and unity among all the Nepalese in the present challenging times.

At the programme presided over by DDC chairman Khadga Bahadur Basnet, DDC vice-chairman Tuluram Rajbanshi underlined the important place of constitutional monarchy in a multi-party democracy.

Nepal Sadbhavana Party Morang district president Dr. Hira Lal Saha, east regional local development director Chij Kumar Mishra and former district member of the Nepali Congress Morang district unit Sudan Bahadur Karki described the institution of the Crown as being a symbol of national unity after the unification of Nepal by the late King Prithivi Narayan Shah.

His Majesty felicitated

Kathmandu, July 7 (RSS): President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has extended heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on the occasion of His Majesty’s 55th auspicious birthday and wished His Majesty good health and well being, and peace, progress and prosperity to the Nepalese people.

In a message of congratulations, President Putin has expressed confidence that the traditional friendly relations between the two countries filled with the spirit of understanding will further strengthen to the benefit of the Russian and Nepalese peoples, in the interests of peace and stability in Asia.

In a similar message, President of the United States of America George W. Bush also extended congratulations and personal best wishes to His Majesty the King.

"As you begin your reign, I wish to reaffirm the support and friendship of the United States of America for the people of Nepal as you build and strengthen your democracy", Mr Bush has said in the message adding that, we have been partners for many years, and it is my hope that our cooperation will continue in the coming years.

Likewise, King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia has also expressed best wishes for His Majesty’s long life, well being and good reign, well being of the Royal Family and continued progress and prosperity of the Nepalese people.

His Majesty King Sihanouk has also expressed confidence that the traditional friendly relations existing between the two Kingdoms will further develop in the years ahead.

Keep monarchy above debate: NC

Kathmandu, July 7 (RSS): The Nepali Congress Party has stated it is committed to the letter and spirit of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal - 1990 and accepts that all rights on heir to the throne are inherent in His Majesty the King as per the Constitution.

The press communique published by general secretary of the party Sushil Koirala states that NC is firm that the tradition and dignity of the monarchy should never be made a subject matter of debate and alerted all not to show any irresponsibility in such a sensitive issue.

The statement says that the news item published recently in the ‘Nepal Samacharpatra’ on the provisions regarding the heir to the throne and NC demand for reconsideration on the provisions citing as the decision of the party meeting on an issue never discussed is false and fabricated and the party has taken it as against the responsibility of healthy journalism.

The communique stated that the meeting of the party had decided to appeal all the political parties and civil society to activate themselves in making the constitutional monarchy which is a symbol of national unity more dignified and strengthening the multiparty parliamentary democracy in the present context by forgetting petty differences.

‘Cooperatives best option’

Kathmandu, July 7 (RSS): In keeping with the tradition of marking the International Cooperatives Day on the first Saturday of July every year at the call of the International Cooperatives Federation, the National Cooperatives Association Limited organised a programme on the occasion of the 79th International Cooperatives Day here today.

Inaugurating the programme, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Cooperatives Chakra Prasad Bastola said that in today’s liberalized and market-oriented economy, cooperatives is the best means for "socialist or equality-based" economy.

He expressed the view that the cooperatives could be one means to fill the gap at a time when there is a gradual erosion in the democratic norms, values and ideals.

The cooperatives movement has not been able to prosper and rise up in many countries due mainly to the tradition of equating the cooperatives movement with the communist movement in those countries, Mr. Bastola said, hoping that now the cooperatives movement would be free of such set-back as it has also been incorporated by the United Nations.

On the occasion, Minister Bastola gave away the National Cooperatives Award to Purushottam Kafle and Surya Ratna Shakya and the Best Cooperatives Award to the District Cooperatives Association Ltd. of Rupandehi, Nawalparasi and Chitawan.

Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Bastola also gave away the Best Cooperatives Business Award to the District Cooperatives Limited of Morang and Sunsari districts, the Multipurpose Cooperatives Limited, Banke, the Triyuga Cooperatives Limited, Saptari and the Pratappur Multipurpose Cooperatives Limited, Nawalparasi.

Founder president of the National Cooperatives Association Ltd. Deepak Prakash Baskota said that the cooperatives have been making important contribution to the social sector and that the government should see them as indispensable partners in national development.

Prof. Dr. Ballav Mani Dahal stressed that the cooperatives movement and the movement for social justice should be spearheaded simultaneously and that the gap between the rich and the poor should be filled up by means of cooperatives education.

Member-secretary of the National Cooperatives Board Ramchandra Nainabasti, executive vice-president of the association Omprakash Sharma and the recipients of the National Cooperatives Award Purushottam Kafle and Surya Man Shakya also shed light on the cooperatives movement.

Acharya quits post of NC’s spokesman

Kathmandu, July 7 (RSS):Nepali Congress Spokesman and central member Narahari Acharya has resigned from the post of the party’s spokesman.

Speaking at a Face-to-Face programme organised by Reporters’ Club Nepal here today, Mr Acharya disclosed that he resigned on moral grounds after the party’s general secretary made public a statement disagreeing with his views expressed by him about a decision made on June 20 by the party’s central committee.

In order to protect the dignity of and give continuity to constitutional monarchy, the parliament, remaining within the constitutional parameters, should review the provision regarding the heir to the throne, Mr Acharya said adding that, a national consensus among political parties is also necessary for this.

Considering the geo-political state of Nepal in present circumstances, the Maoists should shun the path of murder and violence, and come honestly to the negotiating table, he said.

Mr Acharya said bilateral talks were held with the opposition parties in connection with the 14-point proposal floated by the Prime Minister and expressed confidence that a national consensus would be reached in the near future through an all party dialogue.

The Prime Minister is ready to implement it, Mr Acharya added.

CPN-UML standing committee member Bharatmohan Adhikari clarified that the demand for the Prime Minister’s resignation has been made because he failed to maintain law and order, ensure good governance, check corruption and to exercise responsibly the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Stating that the CPN-UML is not in favour of national or all-party government or mid-term polls, Mr Adhikari said as the Nepali Congress enjoys a full majority the CPN-UML will provide full cooperation if Nepali Congress elects a new Prime Minister.

The path taken up by the Maoists is wrong, and they cannot run the nation, Mr Adhikari said adding that, the Maoist problem should be resolved through talks and package programmes.

CPN-ML standing committee member C.P. Mainali said he has taken the 14-point proposal positively at a time when the country is in need of a national consensus following the Royal massacre.

Emphasising the need to seek solutions to the grave issues of the nation at the dialogue table, Mr Mainali said it is very wrong of the Maoists to perpetrate murder and violence in contrary to their own decision of holding an all-party dialogue.

Club president Rishi Dhamala presided.