Napal: Rebellion againist Government

Kathmandu, Napal, Feb. 20 2002 (INS News) -- At least 200 persons killed mostly soldiers and policemen by the attack of Maoist Guerilla on government installations in Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. Heavily armed Maoist Guerillas launched surprise attack on government buildings setting some of them on fire in Mangalsen, headquarters of the Achhan district and nearby Airport.

The first attack had come at the Saphebagar airport in Achhan District, some 600 kilometers of Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. The Maoistguerilla then moved on the area of administrative center of Mangalsen and bombed the district offices and looted the guns and communication
equipment.

According to the Ministry of Home affairs, the final death toll was around 134, with the vast majority of victims either army or police personnel's. The chief district office Mohan Sing Khatri, intelligence officer Lokari Upreti and his wife were among those killed. The rebels reportedly lost more than 100 of their cadre in counteroffensive by government forces.

The Maoist Guerillas attack on government installations in Nepal is a severe blow to the Himalayan Kingdoms effort to curb the Maoist Rebellion. This is one of the deadliest spate of attacks since a struggle to over through the Constitutional Monarchy. The government instructed the army to launch immediate offensive and defensive operations against Maoist Guerillas.

The army remained on high alert after the government pledged a tough response. The emergency Cabinet
meeting decided that the security forces should be allowed to use " all means " to suppress the rebellion and to adopt new methods to counter the changed strategy of the rebels.

Sher Bahadur Deuba, Prime Minister of Nepal said that the battle against the rebels was going well despite the latest raids. But Deuba came under fire from the opposition who called the governments resignation for failing to prevent the attack.

King Gyanendra of Nepal in a traditional message marking Democracy Day appealed Nepalis unity. " We are confident our countrymen will be able to... unite in overcoming the hardships facing our nation " he added.

-- Sam Asharaf - South Asia Correspondent in Trivandrum, India
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