A rchive Date
[ 18-02-2002 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Nepal ]
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[http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWSTopNews/nepal_feb17-ap.html
Nepal rebels kill 102 policemen
Sunday, February 17, 2002
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - In their deadliest assault ever, Nepal's rebels killed at least 129 police officers, soldiers and civilians in attacks on a district headquarters and airport in the country's northwest, officials said Sunday.
The attacks, which began early Sunday, undermine prospects for peace between the government and rebels fighting to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and create a communist republic. Fighting has claimed 2,400 lives since it began in 1996.
The rebels, who previously used knifes and muskets, carried out the latest attacks with modern weapons stolen from the military, state-run Nepal Radio reported.
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba called an emergency cabinet meeting late Sunday as he prepared to seek an extension of the state of emergency imposed in November after the rebels ended a four-month ceasefire.
The rebels, who draw their inspiration from Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Tse-tung, had said the peace talks had failed to make any progress.
Deuba needs the support of two-thirds of the legislators in parliament to get the emergency extension. He was appointed prime minister in July, a month after a palace massacre left the previous king and eight other royals dead.
This weekend's assault began when rebels set fire to buildings in Mangalsen, the headquarters of Achham district, about 600 kilometres northwest of the capital of Kathmandu, the government said.
The rebels killed 49 police officers in Mangalsen. Forty-eight Royal Nepalese Army soldiers stationed in the town also died, Defence Ministry spokesman Bhola Silwal said in a news release.
Other victims included the district's chief administrator, Mohan Singh Khadka; an official with the central intelligence bureau and his wife; a postal worker and an unidentified civilian.
The rebels then attacked a small airport in the nearby town of Sanphebaga, killing another 27 police officers standing guard.
A gunbattle between government forces and the rebels began soon after midnight and lasted until early morning Sunday, officials said. Police reinforcements rushed to Mangalsen but were delayed by bad weather and the mountainous terrain.
Officials said there also could be major casualties on the rebel side. They added that fighters were seen taking away the bodies of other guerrillas.
State-run Radio Nepal said the army had taken control of the area and security forces were organizing a massive search for the rebels.
Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department issued an advisory to warn Americans about the rebel attacks in Nepal, including areas visited by western tourists.
The guerrillas had recently attacked Lukla, the main entry point for the Mount Everest trek, and other popular tourist destinations in the Solu Khumbu Valley, the advisory said.
The violence has also reached Kathmandu, where suspected rebels this month set off two bombs in government tax offices, wounding at least 10 people.
The rebels have called a general strike for Feb. 22-23 across Nepal to commemorate the sixth anniversary of their insurgency campaign. They are led by commander Prachanda, whose name means "fierce" in Nepali but whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Since the government declared the state of emergency Nov. 26, the army says it has since killed nearly 500 guerrillas and arrested another 1,400. Officials say nearly 200 government soldiers and police officers also have lost their lives.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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