NEPAL: MAOIST STRIKE CLOSES CENTRAL NEPAL;

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000312

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR SA/INS AND DS/IP/SA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV ASEC CASC NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOIST STRIKE CLOSES CENTRAL NEPAL;
FIGHTING IN MID-WEST

REF: KATHMANDU 0288


1. (U) The Maoist-enforced "bandh," or general strike,
called for central Nepal, including Kathmandu, on February 17
was well observed in the capital. Slightly more shops were
observed open and vehicles operating in Kathmandu than during
the February 12 closure (Reftel). There were few reports of
violence in the city. In the morning a socket bomb near a
busy intersection in the eastern part of the city damaged two
vehicles and blew out the windows of a local business, but no
injuries were reported. In the south-central district of
Nawalaparasi, suspected Maoists killed Khem Narayan Foujdar,
a former Nepali Congress (Democratic) member of the National
Assembly (the Upper House of Parliament) and a district
political chairman. The Embassy received no bandh-related
complaints from American citizens.


2. (U) According to press reports, the Royal Nepal Army
(RNA) engaged the Maoists at Kotwada in the mid-western
district of Kalikot in what may turn out to be the biggest
battle since the end of the ceasefire in August. The
engagement, which was reported to have begun late on February
16, continued for at least part of the following day.
Initial fatality figures of at least 35 Maoists and 1 RNA
officer killed may rise as more information becomes
available. There was some speculation that the Maoists may
have massed in an effort to disrupt King Gyanendra's planned
series of public receptions in the Maoist heartland (Reftel).
Press accounts suggest that paratroops were airlifted to the
site to engage the Maoists.


3. (SBU) Comment: After an unusually long hiatus, today's
bandh is the third for Kathmandu's generally compliant
population in as many weeks. Yet another closure reportedly
is being planned for February 25-29. This latest spate of
bandhs, however, has not been accompanied by nearly the usual
level of pre-strike violence (bombings, arson, sabotage) the
Maoists typically have used to intimidate the general public
in years past. The marginally higher number of businesses
open and vehicles running today could indicate that fear of
the risk of non-compliance is beginning to fade. With no
notable recent victories against the security forces to their
credit, the Maoists' press coverage has been limited of late
to the occasional hit-and-run ambush and serial
strike-calling. If the Maoists move ahead with the Feb.
25-29 strike as planned, we expect that public patience will
not last for such an extended and costly duration.
MALINOWSKI