Sixteen killed in Nepal clashes
ISN SECURITY WATCH (Monday, 20 March: 13.12 CET) – Sixteen people, including 13 soldiers, were killed in clashes in Nepal on Monday after Maoist rebels ended a six-day nationwide blockade, news agencies reported.
Maoist rebels ambushed an Royal Nepalese Army patrol in central Nepal on Monday, leading to fierce clashes that killed the soldiers and three insurgents, reports said.
According to police, the soldiers were investigating reports that rebels had blocked the water supply at an army camp when they came under attack.
In a separate incident, two civilians were killed in a bomb blast near the eastern town of Biratnagar. The bomb had apparently been left by the rebels on a bridge during the blockade, reports said.
On Tuesday, rebels cut off major cities and towns.
Maoist rebel leaders lifted the blockade after fresh talks in India between senior rebels and Nepalese opposition party leaders.
The rebels also called off plans for an indefinite general strike starting on 3 April, saying they would instead back a shorter, 6-9 April strike proposed by the country’s opposition alliance.
The rebels are fighting to overthrow the monarchy and install a secular, community government with more rights for the people. The decade-long conflict has claimed some 13,000 lives.
King Gyanendra assumed power in a bloodless coup with the help of the army last February.
Maoist rebels ambushed an Royal Nepalese Army patrol in central Nepal on Monday, leading to fierce clashes that killed the soldiers and three insurgents, reports said.
According to police, the soldiers were investigating reports that rebels had blocked the water supply at an army camp when they came under attack.
In a separate incident, two civilians were killed in a bomb blast near the eastern town of Biratnagar. The bomb had apparently been left by the rebels on a bridge during the blockade, reports said.
On Tuesday, rebels cut off major cities and towns.
Maoist rebel leaders lifted the blockade after fresh talks in India between senior rebels and Nepalese opposition party leaders.
The rebels also called off plans for an indefinite general strike starting on 3 April, saying they would instead back a shorter, 6-9 April strike proposed by the country’s opposition alliance.
The rebels are fighting to overthrow the monarchy and install a secular, community government with more rights for the people. The decade-long conflict has claimed some 13,000 lives.
King Gyanendra assumed power in a bloodless coup with the help of the army last February.
posted by Marko at 3/20/2006 08:19:00 AM
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