NEPAL: MAOISTS CONTINUE LIMITED STRIKES,

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001806 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/INS AND DS/IP/SA ISLAMABAD FOR AMBASSADOR POWELL LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY NSC FOR MILLARD E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2013 TAGS: PTER PGOV CASC ASEC NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOISTS CONTINUE LIMITED STRIKES, EXTORTION, AND RECRUITMENT Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). Summary ======== ¶1. (SBU) On September 15, the Maoists killed two policeman and seriously injured three others in three separate incidents across the Kingdom. The Maoists are reportedly impressing families to provide a daughter or son aged 13-22 under the threat of "dire consequences." End summary. Maoist "Hits" on Police ======================== ¶2. (U) On September 15, the press reports that Maoists killed two policemen and seriously injured three in separate incidents in Nepalgunj (mid-west),Pokhara (198 kms west of Kathmandu),and Dang (mid-west). In Pokhara, Maoist attackers approached on a motorcycle, firing at police guarding a Deputy Inspector General's office, killing one and seriously injuring a second. ¶3. (C) Unconfirmed police reports link these killings with a new directive by the Maoist leadership. The police believe that Maoist cadre have been directed to kill on-sight any security forces in Nepalgunj, Pokhara, and Kathmandu. The order was to be enacted in Kathmandu Valley starting at 2:00 pm. As of 6:00 pm, the Embassy had received no reports of attacks on police forces in the valley. Maoist Recruitment of Children =============================== ¶4. (SBU) Over the last five days, the Maoists have issued letters and verbal demands to households in rural areas stating that each household must provide either one son or daughter to serve in the Maoists' "People's Liberation Army." The Maoists will accept children as young as 13 and as old as 22. Families that do not contribute as demanded will face "dire consequences." Separate reports indicate that these notes have been distributed as far afield as Gorkha (in Nepal's west) to Sindhuli (in Nepal's southeast). (Note: In two weeks, Nepalese will celebrate the festival week of Dashain. It is traditional to return to home villages to visit family, pay respect to family elders, and, if well-off, provide some funds for upkeep of the family farm. The impressment of children to serve with the Maoists will deter many from returning home. End note.) ¶5. (SBU) On September 15, unconfirmed police sources reported to the Embassy that the Maoists are attempting to recruit street children. The Maoists are reportedly offering USD 675 for the killing of anyone listed on the Maoists' hit list. Comment ======== ¶6. (C) The police reports of hits on security personnel and recruitment of street children attribute an evolving urban strategy to the Maoists. The reports, while repeated above for completeness, are unconfirmed. Maoist demands for the recruitment of children has been confirmed by multiple sources and has been a Maoist practice for years. The formal notes demanding children is a more formal approach than previously reported. MALINOWSKI