Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03KATHMANDU1849
2003-09-22 09:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:  

NEPAL: MAOISTS ATTACK POLICE INSIDE BHUTANESE

Tags:  PREF PTER NP BH 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001849 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SA/INS, PRM: MPITOTTI
LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY, NSC FOR MILLARD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2013
TAGS: PREF PTER NP BH
SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOISTS ATTACK POLICE INSIDE BHUTANESE

REFUGEE CAMP

Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski for reasons 1.5 (b,d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001849

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SA/INS, PRM: MPITOTTI
LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY, NSC FOR MILLARD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2013
TAGS: PREF PTER NP BH
SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOISTS ATTACK POLICE INSIDE BHUTANESE

REFUGEE CAMP

Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski for reasons 1.5 (b,d).


1. (C) Summary. On September 22, Post received reports from
WFP and UNHCR that as many as 150 Maoists attacked the police
post inside a Bhutanese refugee camp in Eastern Nepal,
killing one unarmed police officer. No refugees were injured
in the attacks. According to UNHCR, the Home Ministry has
decided to withdraw all permanent police personnel from the
six refugee camps. Contrary to WFP and UNHCR reports, Police
sources indicate that only 10-12 Maoist assailants entered
the camp. Due to the absence of reliable eye witnesses, the
number of Maoist attackers has not been verified. Although
the absence of a permanent police presence in the refugee
camps may deter further Maoist attacks, it may also prove
easier for the insurgents to recruit the young and unemployed
Bhutanese refugees. End Summary.


2. (C) At approximately 2230 hours on September 21, an
unverified number of Maoists attacked the main police post
within the Khundunabari Bhutanese refugee camp in Eastern
Nepal, killing one National Police Assistant Sub-Inspector.
World Food Program Country Director Erika Jorgenson informed
PolOff on September 22 that WFP field officers in
Khundunabari Camp had reported that as many as 150 Maoist
insurgents entered the camp late Sunday night, attacking the
police post. Jorgenson indicated that Khundunabari Camp
residents fear that this attack is only the beginning of more
Maoist incursions into the Bhutanese refugee communities.


3. (C) The UNHCR protection officer was not present at the
camps at the time of the incident, but traveled back to Jhapa
the morning of September 22. Subsequently, UNHCR Deputy
Country Director Thangarajah Kugathasan confirmed that 150
armed Maoists attacked the Khundunabari Camp police post.
According to Kuguthasan, the Home Ministry has decided to
withdraw all police personnel from the refugee camps to a
more secure location at District Headquarters, although the
police will conduct mobile patrols in and around the camps.
Kuguthasan has requested guidance on this issue from UNHCR
headquarters in Geneva.


4. (C) Contrary to WFP and UNHCR reports, police sources
indicate that only between 10-12 Maoists entered the camp and
exploded a bomb near the police post in Khundunabari Camp.
The Maoists then entered the police post, killed the police
officer-in-charge with a pistol shot to the temple and tied
the hands of the other four police officers present.
According to the police, five unarmed police personnel were
deployed in each of the six Bhutanese refugee camps and were
reimbursed by UNHCR.


5. (C) Comment. Security within the refugee camps has been
an issue of concern for UNHCR and diplomatic missions in
Nepal as reports that Maoists might attempt to recruit the
young, unemployed Bhutanese refugees have increased.
However, all reports of the attack have suggested that the
assailants entered Khundunabari Camp from outside. Although
the removal of police forces from the UNHCR camps might
remove the threat of further Maoist attacks, Post is
concerned that withdrawal of police forces from the camps
might allow for easier infiltration by Maoist recruiters.
End Comment.

MALINOWSKI