UPDATE ON NEPAL'S MAOIST INSURGENCY, MARCH 20-26,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 KATHMANDU 000567 SIPDIS STATE FOR SA/INS AND DS/IP/NEA STATE ALSO PLEASE PASS USAID/DCHA/OFDA STATE ALSO PLEASE PASS PEACE CORPS HQ USAID FOR ANE/AA GORDON WEST AND JIM BEVER MANILA FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY TREASURY FOR GENERAL COUNSEL/DAUFHAUSER AND DAS JZARATE TREASURY ALSO FOR OFAC/RNEWCOMB AND TASK FORCE ON TERRORIST FINANCING JUSTICE FOR OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL/DLAUFMAN NSC FOR MILLARD SECDEF FOR OSD/ISA LILIENFELD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINS PTER CASC PGOV NP PHUM SUBJECT: UPDATE ON NEPAL'S MAOIST INSURGENCY, MARCH 20-26, 2004 REFERENCE: (A) KATHMANDU 0516 (B) KATHMANDU 0437 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. A deadly attack on March 20 topped a week of violence in Nepal in which at least 187 Maoists, 35 security personnel and 50 civilians lost their lives. The UN Secretary General appealed for an end to the violence, and reiterated the UN's offer to help in finding a solution. The Prime Minister said he takes the UN's statement "very seriously," but some of Nepal's major political parties dismissed UN mediation until there was "a legitimate government." The local press reported a significant increase in the number of Maoists entering Indian cities along the India-Nepal border, while officials in Mumbai reportedly investigate Maoist recruitment posters placed in train stations. Maoist- planted bombs rocked the Kathmandu Valley, including several in Thamel, the main tourist hub. Amnesty International (AI) ranks Nepal as having the highest number of cases of disappearances. A Maoist-imposed blockade in the far west began with a series of bombs. End Summary. AMBUSHES AND OFFENSIVES; MAJOR CASUALTIES -------------- ¶2. A well-planned Maoist attack on a district headquarters on March 20 topped a week of violence. Several thousand Maoist rebels launched a nighttime assault on Beni, the headquarters of Myagdi District in the west-central region of Nepal (Ref A). At least sixteen Royal Nepal Army (RNA) soldiers, fourteen police officers and thirty civilians were killed. Initial reports claimed that 200-500 rebels were killed, while only 120 bodies have been found so far. The rebels attacked the police station, the bank, the District Administration Office, and a jail, subsequently releasing all of the inmates. They were unable to take over the RNA barracks. A videotape obtained from the clash site reveals that the rebels had planned to overrun the town and hold it for three days. On the tape, a Maoist commander, speaking to hundreds of people, including children, women, and young soldiers, declares that "our rebellion has reached a decisive stage," and "now it's time to make sacrifices." Despite the heavy losses suffered by the security forces, RNA spokesman Colonel Deepak Gurung said "it is a major success of the army." ¶3. During the clash, Maoists also abducted thirty-three security personnel, including the Chief District officer (CDO),the highest ranking civil servant, and the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP),the highest-ranking police officer. On March 22 rebel sources said the hostages would be released only after the GON released three of their senior members (Matrika Yadav, Suresh Ale Magar, and Tilak Sharma) who currently are in detention. Amnesty International (AI) has appealed for the release of those abducted, reiterating that international law "clearly prohibits the taking of hostages." ¶4. Air raids carried out on March 23 in Parbat by security forces attempting to flush out Maoists fleeing after the Beni clash reportedly left over 50 rebels and 20 civilians dead. The air strikes were carried out after security forces reportedly received a tip that insurgents who participated in the March 20 ambush in Myagdi had fled to neighboring Parbat. Maoists claim the death toll is exaggerated. ¶5. Seventeen Maoists were killed in other clashes this week: three in the western district of Dang on March 25; another one in Dang on March 24; two in Dhanusha District on March 22; three in the central district of Kaski on March 20; and ten in Dhading District on March 20. Five security personnel also lost their lives in Maoist ambushes: one RNA soldier was gunned down in Rupandehi, and a retired inspector of the National Investigation Department in Kavre District on March 25; two police officers abducted by Maoists were found dead in Banke District on March 20; and two police officers were killed in Dhading District on March ¶19. UN SECRETARY APPEALS FOR END TO VIOLENCE -------------- ¶6. Following the deadly clash in Beni, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan appealed for an immediate end to the violence in Nepal and offered his assistance. In the statement issued on March 23, Annan said Nepal's economic and social development "is being seriously hampered," and said he was disturbed by the "serious human rights violations." The Secretary General also reiterated his willingness to help in SIPDIS any way. ¶7. On March 24 however, representatives from some of Nepal's major political parties dismissed UN mediation until there was "a legitimate government." Bharat Mohan Adhikary, politburo member of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML),agreed there was an "urgent need" for UN mediation, but said an all-party government should be formed first and Parliament reinstated. Narahari Acharya, Nepali Congress (NC) central committee member, said NC would not rule out UN intervention, but would have to determine "to what extent we should welcome its role." Abhuvan Pathak, central committee member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) refused to accept any third party intervention, declaring defiantly that Nepalis are "capable" of solving their own domestic matters. MAOISTS SEEKING REFUGE IN INDIA -------------- ¶8. On March 23, the local press reported a significant increase in the number of Maoists entering Indian cities along the India-Nepal border. According to the report, officials along the border believe many of the rebels are seeking medical treatment for injuries after clashes with Nepalese security forces. Others are Indian nationals, particularly businessmen, returning home to India to escape the violence and extortion demands of the insurgents. ¶9. An Indian newspaper reported on March 23 that Maoists from Nepal are placing recruitment posters in India's train stations. According to the article, the posters, with photographs of top brass Maoists, have been plastered in train stations in Mumbai. Nepalese who migrated to Mumbai reportedly are worried that Indian police will drive them away in an attempt to pre-empt any Maoist activity. The article quoted an official in Mumbai as saying that because the city was so large "any group here could easily merge with underground groups and carry out joint operations." He went on to say, however, that if any Maoists were found in India they would be repatriated "immediately to Nepal." BLASTS ROCK KATHMANDU -------------- ¶10. Five separate Maoist-planted bombs rocked the Kathmandu Valley. On March 25, two blasts occurred in Thamel, the main tourist hub. There were no casualties in that incident. Superintendent of Police Deepak Ranjit blamed the blasts on the Maoists' special task force, and said they were trying "to create havoc in the city." On March 23, three blasts injured one police officer and three civilians, two of whom were children. Two of the bombs were set off at government buildings, one of which was again in the heart of Thamel, and another exploded on the side of a road. A fourth bomb was defused by a bomb disposal unit. On March 20 in Kathmandu District, a Royal Nepal Army (RNA) soldier was killed and two police officers injured while trying to defuse a bomb left by the rebels. The body of a suspected Maoist was found inside an office building after a bomb exploded there. On March 19 in the eastern district of Bara Maoists reportedly blew up the Nepal Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) office and a radio transmission tower causing almost one million dollars in damages. Eighty percent of NTC's customers are now without service. NEPAL RANKS FIRST IN ABDUCTIONS -------------- ¶11. According to Amnesty International (AI) Nepal ranks first for having the highest number in cases of disappearances. March 21 press reports cite AI as reporting 190 people who have disappeared since the end of the ceasefire in August 2003. Human rights activist allege the number is higher. On March 19, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) voiced concern about the difficulties faced in trying to obtain information about the conditions of those abducted, particularly by the Maoists. ¶12. Maoists abducted 28 members of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) in Surkhet District on March 20. They were released on March 24. MAOIST BLOCKADES CONTINUE -------------- ¶13. A Maoist-imposed blockade in the far-western districts of Banke and Bardiya began on March 23 with a series of bombs meant to intimidate the people of those districts into compliance. Several bombs went off throughout the districts, including in the office of the Nepal Drinking Water Corporation, and near two bridges. A security vehicle was also ambushed by Maoists, but that bomb did not cause any damage. Transportation services and delivery of commodities have stopped after drivers reportedly said they could not depend on security forces to provide adequate protection. A contact reported to EmbOff that his bus, which was traveling in a convoy guarded by security forces, came under attack while heading to Jhapa District. ¶14. Fallout from the 15-day blockade called by the Maoists in the western and mid-western districts (Ref B) continues despite initial indications it would end on March 21. Many of the buses still have not resumed normal operations, and supplies of commodities have dwindled. A member of the Morang Industries Association told reporters that "the industries here are completely handicapped." ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT FORTHCOMING? -------------- ¶15. Amid the buzz over the possible announcement of dates for elections, Maoist supremo Prachanda denounced the planned elections as propaganda. The Maoist Chairman said "it is lunatic" to talk about holding elections when there is a civil war in the country. He also accused the GON of seeking help from the USG in securing participation from the political parties. Prachanda accused "US representatives" of "knocking on the doors of leaders" and "humiliating Nepal's nationality and sovereignty" by visiting army barracks. (Note: this is in apparent reference to the Ambassador's recent visit to the eastern region of Nepal. End note). He warned that if the parties get trapped "in the web" of the so-called elctions, "they will not be forgiven." MALINOWSKI