NEPAL: POLITICAL PROTESTS CONTINUE, MARRED BY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000620

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR SA/INS AND DS/IP/SA, LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY, NSC
FOR MILLARD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: POLITICAL PROTESTS CONTINUE, MARRED BY
VIOLENCE

REF: KATHMANDU 612


1. (SBU) Summary. On April 5, Nepal's political parties
continued to demonstrate against the government for the fifth
consecutive day. In response to violence on April 2
(reftel),the protesters declared a closure, or "bandh," in
the capital for April 3. The closure was rigorously enforced
by party cadre with roughly 12,000 activists on the streets.
There were fewer protesters on April 4, although over one
hundred were injured, including at least six senior party
leaders. As of 1600 hours on April 5, between 10-12,000
demonstrators remained on the streets, although no violence
had erupted. Meanwhile, Maoist Supreme Leader Pushpa Kumar
Dahal, alias Prachanda, issued a public statement on April 2
supporting the political party protests. Although the police
or ill-equipped and poorly-trained to handle civil disorders,
political party leaders, in the South Asian tradition, may
also be guilty of courting injury to increase public sympathy
and restore their lost legitimacy. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Street demonstrations by five political parties in
protest of the Government of Nepal (GON) that began on April
1 (reftel) continued through the weekend and into Monday,
April 5. The ongoing demonstrations have been marred by
violence between the protesters, the police, and in some
cases government supporters. In three days (April 3-5),
roughly 130 protesters were injured through police use of
teargas, plastic bullets and lathis (bamboo canes).


3. (SBU) Due to violence on April 1-2, the political parties
declared a "bandh," or closure, in the capital for April 3.
Party activists were out early in the morning to enforce the
bandh by setting fire to tires and throwing stones at
vehicles on the streets (including an Embassy security
vehicle). By mid-day, approximately 12,000 political
protesters were on the streets. Virtually all commercial and
private vehicles were off the roads while hundreds of police
in riot gear stood down thousands of demonstrators waving
flags and chanting slogans near the Royal Palace. The press
reported that a small number of government supporters, or
"mandales," also confronted the protesters on Saturday, in
some cases resulting in violence.


4. (SBU) On April 4, the number of protesters declined with
between 2-8,000 on the streets. When protesters attempted to
cross the "line of control" established by police, violence
ensued, resulting in the injury of over one hundred
demonstrators, including at least six senior party members.
Roughly two dozen protesters sustained more than minor
injuries. A political party contact suggested that the
protesters initiated the violence by throwing stones at
police personnel who then reacted with teargas and lathi
charges. Demonstrations continued on April 5. As of 1600
hours, between 10-12,000 demonstrators were present, although
no violence had been reported.


5. (SBU) Meanwhile, on April 2, the Maoists issued a press
release signed by Supreme Leader Pushpa Kumar Dahal, alias
Prachanda, in support of the political party demonstrations.
A translated copy of the statement notes that "our party has
been emphasizing discussion, understanding and collaboration
among all the political parties" and promises to "effectively
stop physical action against the leaders and cadres of any
political parties." (Note. A similar commitment to stop
targeting political party activists in 2003 had no noticeable
effect as the insurgents have continued to abduct and kill
party members. End Note.)


6. (SBU) Comment. Although five consecutive days of
agitation have garnered sustained turnout, it is unclear
whether the political parties are appealing to more than just
their party cadres. Front-page coverage of the protests in
vernacular and English-language dailies have portrayed the
demonstrators sympathetically. Featured prominently are
color pictures of the injured and an action photo of a
policeman beating a prone protester on the street.
Considering the inadequate equipment and training given to
the police to handle civil disorders, it is unsurprising that
the ongoing protests have led to violence and injury.
However, in the political tradition of South Asia, party
leaders often welcome physical confrontation in order to
garner popular sympathy and support. With the failure of
Nepal's political parties to launch a substantive,
issue-oriented program, they appear to be courting injury in
an attempt to regain their lost legitimacy. Despite the
parties' claim that the ongoing protests signify a "new
stage" in the anti-regression movement, they have failed to
propose ideas on how to solve the country's problems or
overcome the political impasse. Meanwhile, the King is
showing more interest in the people's welfare by visiting
western Nepal, including a tour on April 3 of Beni in Myagdi
District -- the site of the latest large-scale Maoist attack.
End comment.


MALINOWSKI