The road leading west out of Kathmandu, Pritivi Raj highway has effectively
been closed [by the Maoists], although there is an army convoy system operating to some
extent.

The road leading east from Banepa, Arniko Raj highway was reported blocked [by the Maoists] in the morning but it appears to be open in the afternoon.

The road leading north out of Kathmandu to Trisuli was blocked this
(Wednesday) morning [by the Maoists].

[We] have no information about the road from Pharpin via Kulikhani to Bhaise,
Hetauda.

Until [we] receive further information, best not to attempt travel by road to
exit or enter Kathmandu.

The Maoists have killed -- nay, murdered -- FIVE Nepali journalists so far. They have threatened to kill 10 more, including Kantipur's Harihar Singh Rathaur, a good friend
of mine.

Still, senior journalists ask this plainly stupid question:

ýMaoist leaders should now clarify if they are political rebellion group or a barbarous dictatorial force, intolerant towards criticism,ý said [Tara Nath] Dahal [See the news below.]

Isn't the answer obvious?

How many MORE cold-blooded murders of journalists and non-jopurnalists does Dahal and his cohorts require to know for sure that the answer has been blowing in the wind for all to see for some time.

On another note, claiming that it is countering Maoist atrocities, the State too -- with more money going toward the military -- has escalated its own violence against
ordinary Nepalis.

Such is life in Nepal these days.

In major ways, the Maoist movement has been showing its "Lord of the Flies" character in gruesome details -- with young Nepalis now dancing to the sights and smells of
human blood and mayhem, chaos, destruction and wanton killings.

And I can imagine Baburam in a faux-Marlon Brando-esque avatar (ref: the movie "apocalypse now") whispering, "Horror, O, Horror!"

And one can alomost wake up now to the sounds of helicopters flying ovehead.

oohi
ashu
*********

FNJ stages demonstrations against Maoists in capital


KOL Report

KATHMANDU, Aug 18 - Journalists and professionals of various organizations have staged protest demonstration in the capital Wednesday against Maoistsý continuing activities of killing, abduction and issuing death threats to journalists in the recent days.
Journalists took to the streets today protesting the Maoistsý ýatrocities against press freedomý following the killing of Dekendra Thapa, a journalist of Radio Nepal recently.

The demonstration also protested the death threats issued to nine journalists by the Maoists on charges of ýwriting news against them.ý

The protest rally that began from Ratnapark went through Bagbazaar, Putalisadak, Exhibition Road, and Martyrsý Gate, New Road and finally converged into a gathering at Ratnapark.

Addressing the gathering, President of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Taranath Dahal said that the Maoistsý latest actions have raised questions whether they are political force or not.

ýMaoist leaders should now clarify if they are political rebellion group or a barbarous dictatorial force, intolerant towards criticism,ý said Dahal.

Stating that journalists had raised the issue of killing of journalist Krishna Sen by the state, Dahal urged the Maoist leadership to provide compensation to the family of six journalists killed by them (Maoists) and apologize publicly.

Human Rights activist Krishna Pahadi, Shambhu Thapa, President of Nepal Bar Association, Khagendra Bhandari of Professorsý Association and Journalist Harihar Birahi speaking during the same programme added that the politics of violence would never be acceptable in the country. (snn)

It is high time for organizations such as the group of Nepali Journalists etc to stage a march against the Maoist hooliganism; rather than just protesting Miss Nepal and pulling each others leg.
Darn, Panchayat was far better wasn't it. I only heard one Journalist getting shot in his head in those days.

Soaltee hotel protests the ANNFTU demands, it is reciprocated with bombing.
Journalists express their view, they are murdered.
What are they fighting for, again? Oh yeah, democracy and people's right.

19 Aug
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Vehicles defy blockade call

PR

KATHMANDU, Aug 18 - Defying a Kathmandu Valley blockade call made by the Maoists, hundreds of vehicles continued their journey into and out of the capital all day Wednesday.
Nevertheless, there were several others who didnýt want to take risks and remained off the road fearing Maoist attacks.

In the capital, many people changed their travel plans, while others crowded the marketplaces for stockpiling essential commodities ý fearing the indefinite blockade.

By 6 pm on Wednesday, altogether 1,231 vehicles had entered the Kathmandu Valley from the three main entry points ýThankot, Sanga and Balaju ý and 1,092 had left the Valley from the same points, according to figures made available by the Directorate of Public Relations at the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) headquarters.

Among them, 139 vehicles entered and 235 left from Thankot (Tribhuvan, Prithvi and East-West highways), 971 entered and 732 left from Sanga (Araniko and Jiri highways) and 121 entered and 125 left from Balaju (Trishuli and Pasang Lhamu highways).

Security has been beefed up along all the highways linking the capital with other parts of the country, and to foil possible rebel attacks, special teams of commandoes has been mobilized in strategic areas, according to security officials.

ýWe are escorting vehicles, and our boys are manning all the highways. So thereýs no need to fear,ý said Brig Gen Rajendra Thapa, the RNA spokesperson.

ýWe call on all transport entrepreneurs to operate their vehicles. We also request the general public to defy this blockade call. We are here to provide you security,ý he added.

Gopendra Bahadur Pande, spokesperson at the Home Ministry, said no untoward incident had been reported so far. He added that the security units, including the civilian and the armed police forces, have been placed on high alert, and escorts are available at all points for vehicles plying on the roads.
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HM

Tourist buses to ply: News as of August 20, 2004

DHADING: Maoistsý joint district committee for Dhading, Rasuwa and Nuwakot
has clarified that indefinite blockade of the capital has no affect on the
movement of tourist coaches, ambulances and vehicles of diplomatic missions
and mediapersons. A high ranking Maoist of the district committee told this
daily (The Himalayan ) over phone from an undisclosed location saying action
would be taken against those attempting to foil the blockade by misusing
media vehicles, ambulances or tourist coaches. HNS


Media Center
Nepal Tourism Board
Tourist Service Center
P.O Box: 11018
Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, Nepal
Ph.00977-1-4256909 (Ext. 181)
Fax. 00977-1-4225709
email: mediacenter@ntb.org.np
URL: www.welcomenepal.com

A report in the new issue of India Today:
------------------------------------------------
Hitting Where it Hurts

As the Maoist rebellion enters Kathmandu with a blockade, blasts and death threats, India's worries take a new turn

By Indrani Bagchi

When the Nepal Maoists forced the Soaltee Crowne Plaza in Kathmandu, Nepal's oldest luxury hotel, to shut down indefinitely on August 16, they were sending a direct message to King Gyanendra and his new Government headed by Sher Bahadur Deuba. The chairman of the Soaltee Group is Prabhakar Rana, business partner of King Gyanendra. By extension, Rana also runs Surya Nepal (earlier known as Surya Tobacco, and a joint venture with ITC in India). The Maoists clearly expect the Rana magic to work on the King so that the peace talks resume. On August 18, the first reports of panic buying came in from Kathmandu.

The Maoist rebels who have threatened the Nepal monarchy for the past few years have been gradually closing in on Kathmandu. Presenting what is arguably the biggest security threat to Nepal and India, they have, along with the Indian PWG in Andhra Pradesh and the MCC in Bihar, banded together to wage war against the state. India has had to nuance its approach to the burgeoning problem in Nepal because of fears that the law and order issue could spill over into its territory.

With all the 12 companies on the original Maoist list of those with "unfair trade practices" having shut down and a blockade of the Kathmandu valley under way, Nepal's security crisis is now lapping at the doorsteps of the royal palace. While there was silence from the palace, political parties continued to play games around each other.

A recently established Industrial Security Group formed by India, US, UK, France and Germany to protect the interests of companies in Nepal protested against the Maoist threat, keeping it short of a political statement. India has 85 joint ventures in Nepal, most of them located in the industrial belt of Biratnagar.

The latest series of attacks has added to India's worries about its neighbour, although the mea has played down the threat, saying blockades like this were "common". The policy dilemma that prevents Delhi from playing the aggressive big brother of the region adds to the frustrations. India continues to harp on the resumption of the peace process, but the "broad strokes policy" on Nepal is clearly not yielding the requisite dividends. Privately, Indian diplomatic sources maintain that their message rarely penetrates deep enough within the Nepalese establishment to make any difference. When Deuba arrives in Delhi on September 9, he can expect the diplomatic version of the riot act on this issue.

Interestingly, the US has yielded to the Indian argument of Nepal being India's strategic backyard-a fact US officials reiterate, describing joint actions as "singing from the same sheet of music". Nepal watchers say the present crisis is a sequel to a similar threat issued by a Maoist-affiliated students' union in May, when they forced schools in the Kathmandu valley to shut down.

Compared with the Al-Qaida, the Maoists are weak. But they are confronting an equally weak state. Indian alarm bells will go off depending on who blinks first.
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