Maoists' truce 2005 AsiaTimes: Maoist deal to sideline Nepal's king (March 2005) BBC: Nepal 'near humanitarian abyss' (March 2005) Nepali Times: Road closed (February 2005) BBC: Maoists talk tough amid blockade (February 2005) Nepali Times:'Six armed Maoists killed in encounter' Maoist Militia (January 2005) Nepal map

March 2005

A new deal in the offing between Nepal's main political parties and Maoist rebels has the potential not only of returning the Himalayan kingdom to democracy but also ending a constitutional monarchy that has so far enjoyed New Delhi's support.

Last weekend, representatives of Nepali Congress, Nepali Congress (Democratic), Nepal Communist Party (United Marxists-Leninists) or UML, People's Front Nepal Party and the Nepal Sadbhavana Party meeting in Bangkok issued a joint call to redraft the country's constitution through a constituent assembly and force the ouster of King Gyanendra who seized power in a royal coup on February 1.

"This move poses the biggest challenge yet to Nepal's monarchy as well as to Indian policy on Nepal," S D Muni, India's most-respected expert on South Asian affairs and professor at the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University told IPS.

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Asia Times Maoist deal to sideline Nepal's king (March 2005) - external link

March 2005

Nepal is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis, the United Nations and international agencies have warned. Conflict between security forces and Maoist guerrillas has left civilians and refugees exposed and often cut off from aid supplies and medical help. In a statement, the UN, European Union and nine Western aid agencies urged both sides to respect human rights. Nepal's government said the criticism was misplaced, and that it was overcoming the Maoist blockades.

Nepal's King Gyanendra imposed emergency rule in February, seizing absolute power and curbing freedoms. Since then rebels have intensified attacks.

"The United Nations and bilateral donor agencies in Nepal urge all parties to ensure that movement of supplies and vehicles intended to alleviate the suffering of civilian populations are not restricted," the statement says. It goes on to list in stark terms the difficulties facing Nepalese civilians caught up in the ongoing conflict.

Insecurity, armed activity and Maoist blockades are pushing Nepal towards the abyss of a humanitarian crisis

UN and donors statement

According to the organisations, Nepalese are often denied access to humanitarian and medical supplies because of security roadblocks set up by Maoists.

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BBC Nepal 'near humanitarian abyss' (March 2005) - external link

February 2005

Six Maoists had spent the night at the homes of villagers. On a tipoff, an army patrol from Chautara headquarter, led by Capt Keshab Shahi and another unit from Panchkhal converged and surrounded Thulo Sirubari. By the time the soldiers went house-to-house, the six district-level Maoist leaders who had sheltered in the village had fled. The army rounded up seven villagers, beat them up as they were led away into the Rolpakha community forest.

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Nepali Times Road closed (February 2005) - external link

February 2005

Soldiers rescue a bus passenger wounded when Maoists opened fire on a passenger bus on the Prithbi Highway at Beni Ghat on Sunday. The man was later flown to the army hospital in Chhauni by helicopter.

On 16 February we left Kathmandu for our destination: Tehrathum in eastern Nepal. After six days, we were forced to backtrack 1,000 km across Nepal to Butwal. There, we stopped because finally we could go no further.

We avoided the Prithbi Highway by taking the unconventional route to Hetauda via Dakhsinkali. At Kulekhani, an army sentry told us we were the only car he'd seen that day. The Tribhuban Highway in Bhainse was empty. There were some motorcycles in Hetauda but no cars.

The next morning, we passed a convoy of 50 tankers and trucks escorted by an army mine-protected vehicle. At Patlaiya junction, we were waved on at the checkpoint: only press and ambulances were being allowed unescorted.

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BBC Maoists talk tough amid blockade (February 2005) - external link

January 2005

Six Maoists had spent the night at the homes of villagers. On a tipoff, an army patrol from Chautara headquarter, led by Capt Keshab Shahi and another unit from Panchkhal converged and surrounded Thulo Sirubari. By the time the soldiers went house-to-house, the six district-level Maoist leaders who had sheltered in the village had fled. The army rounded up seven villagers, beat them up as they were led away into the Rolpakha community forest.

Full story ...

Nepali Times 'Six armed Maoists killed in encounter' (January 2005) - external link