Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KATHMANDU2763
2006-10-18 02:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002763
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016
TAGS: PTER PGOV NP
SUBJECT: MAOISTS ACTIVE IN RURAL SOLUKHUMBU
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002763
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016
TAGS: PTER PGOV NP
SUBJECT: MAOISTS ACTIVE IN RURAL SOLUKHUMBU
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) From September 29 to October 4, Emboffs traveled to
southern portion of Solukhumbu District in eastern Nepal and
observed and heard about the Maoist activities in that rural
area. In Salleri, the district headquarters, the Maoists had
established a "People's Government" office, complete with a
"People's Court." The security forces continued to patrol
the main airport in Phaplu, and around the military base in
Salleri. However, in Rumjatar, south of Salleri, the Maoists
were reportedly patrolling the airfield, and had forced the
security forces to not carry their weapons. Local villagers
told stories of Maoist intimidation and extortion, and
expressed uncertainty about the future of the country.
Maoists Have Nice Facilities
--------------
2. (C) Emboffs traveled to the southern portion of Solukhumbu
District in eastern Nepal from September 29 to October 4.
The Maoist "People's Government" office in Salleri, the
district capital, was very well kept, with new signs,
relatively nice facilities, and electricity. Within the
offices, according to local sources, there was a "People's
Court" and Maoist party offices.
3. (C) One local from Phaplu said that people did not like
the Maoists, but generally liked the "People's Courts"
because they gave quick verdicts and the problems were
solved. When asked if the Maoists' verdicts were fair, the
local said that "no courts in Nepal were fair."
Maoists Patrolling in Some Places
--------------
4. (SBU) When Emboffs arrived in Phaplu, the security forces
(a mix of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force (APF),and Nepal
Army (NA) soldiers) were patrolling the area around the
airport. After the flights were done for the day, the
security forces returned to their camp in Salleri, the
district capital. Security forces were publicly present in
Salleri during the day, although no presence was noted
outside of the village center.
5. (C) A pharmacist in Phaplu told Emboffs that the Maoists
had begun patrolling the airport to the south of Salleri, in
Rumjatar. When the Chief District Officer (CDO) told the
police to go and patrol the same airport, the Maoists told
the police that they could patrol theQirport with them, but
the police could not carry any weapons. According to the
pharmacist, the police accepted the restriction and now go to
Rumjatar without weapons.
People are Nervous about the Maoists
--------------
6. (C) Many people whom Emboffs spoke to while in Phaplu and
Salleri expressed their fear of the Maoists. One person told
Emboffs that the Maoists were still coming and asking for
money from everyone in the village, and that local
inhabitants were too frightened not to give something.
Locals told Emboffs that in villages north of Phaplu, the
local villagers would not let the Maoists stay in lodges or
eat in restaurants and so the Maoists stayed away from those
villages. However, in Phaplu and places south, the Maoists
had attacked so often before the cease-fire, including
blowing up the airport in Phaplu four times, that the people
were afraid to stand up to them.
Maoist Problem is Personal
--------------
7. (C) Several people with whom Emboffs spoke while in Phaplu
and Salleri had intensely personal stories about Maoist
activities. Sometimes this was as simple as remembering the
day that the airport in Phaplu had been bombed. Other times,
they had a friend or family member whom the Maoists had
murdered or intimidated. This fear and strong feelings
permeated many conversations about the Maoists in the two
villages.
Comment
--------------
8. (C) The situation in the rural villages of Nepal's eastern
Solukhumbu district remain tense, with the Maoists continuing
their campaign of extortion and intimidation. Although it
tracks with what we have been hearing in Kathmandu, it is
troubling to see the complete lack of government enforcement
of law and order. The district is a prime tourist
destination, but due to a lack of security in its southern
portion, tourist numbers there are down and the local
villages are suffering because of it. This trip underscored,
more than ever, the necessity for the Government of Nepal to
start using the security forces to crack down on Maoist
crimes.
DEAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016
TAGS: PTER PGOV NP
SUBJECT: MAOISTS ACTIVE IN RURAL SOLUKHUMBU
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) From September 29 to October 4, Emboffs traveled to
southern portion of Solukhumbu District in eastern Nepal and
observed and heard about the Maoist activities in that rural
area. In Salleri, the district headquarters, the Maoists had
established a "People's Government" office, complete with a
"People's Court." The security forces continued to patrol
the main airport in Phaplu, and around the military base in
Salleri. However, in Rumjatar, south of Salleri, the Maoists
were reportedly patrolling the airfield, and had forced the
security forces to not carry their weapons. Local villagers
told stories of Maoist intimidation and extortion, and
expressed uncertainty about the future of the country.
Maoists Have Nice Facilities
--------------
2. (C) Emboffs traveled to the southern portion of Solukhumbu
District in eastern Nepal from September 29 to October 4.
The Maoist "People's Government" office in Salleri, the
district capital, was very well kept, with new signs,
relatively nice facilities, and electricity. Within the
offices, according to local sources, there was a "People's
Court" and Maoist party offices.
3. (C) One local from Phaplu said that people did not like
the Maoists, but generally liked the "People's Courts"
because they gave quick verdicts and the problems were
solved. When asked if the Maoists' verdicts were fair, the
local said that "no courts in Nepal were fair."
Maoists Patrolling in Some Places
--------------
4. (SBU) When Emboffs arrived in Phaplu, the security forces
(a mix of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force (APF),and Nepal
Army (NA) soldiers) were patrolling the area around the
airport. After the flights were done for the day, the
security forces returned to their camp in Salleri, the
district capital. Security forces were publicly present in
Salleri during the day, although no presence was noted
outside of the village center.
5. (C) A pharmacist in Phaplu told Emboffs that the Maoists
had begun patrolling the airport to the south of Salleri, in
Rumjatar. When the Chief District Officer (CDO) told the
police to go and patrol the same airport, the Maoists told
the police that they could patrol theQirport with them, but
the police could not carry any weapons. According to the
pharmacist, the police accepted the restriction and now go to
Rumjatar without weapons.
People are Nervous about the Maoists
--------------
6. (C) Many people whom Emboffs spoke to while in Phaplu and
Salleri expressed their fear of the Maoists. One person told
Emboffs that the Maoists were still coming and asking for
money from everyone in the village, and that local
inhabitants were too frightened not to give something.
Locals told Emboffs that in villages north of Phaplu, the
local villagers would not let the Maoists stay in lodges or
eat in restaurants and so the Maoists stayed away from those
villages. However, in Phaplu and places south, the Maoists
had attacked so often before the cease-fire, including
blowing up the airport in Phaplu four times, that the people
were afraid to stand up to them.
Maoist Problem is Personal
--------------
7. (C) Several people with whom Emboffs spoke while in Phaplu
and Salleri had intensely personal stories about Maoist
activities. Sometimes this was as simple as remembering the
day that the airport in Phaplu had been bombed. Other times,
they had a friend or family member whom the Maoists had
murdered or intimidated. This fear and strong feelings
permeated many conversations about the Maoists in the two
villages.
Comment
--------------
8. (C) The situation in the rural villages of Nepal's eastern
Solukhumbu district remain tense, with the Maoists continuing
their campaign of extortion and intimidation. Although it
tracks with what we have been hearing in Kathmandu, it is
troubling to see the complete lack of government enforcement
of law and order. The district is a prime tourist
destination, but due to a lack of security in its southern
portion, tourist numbers there are down and the local
villages are suffering because of it. This trip underscored,
more than ever, the necessity for the Government of Nepal to
start using the security forces to crack down on Maoist
crimes.
DEAN