2004-03-31

Endless "bandas" in the Valley - demo on Friday.

Situation in Nepal grows more violent and CRAZY day-by-day. The 5 political parties agitate against "regression". For 2nd April is announced mass demo infront of the Royal Palace... things will be interesting. And "banda" for Saturday, 3rd...

2004-03-27

Nepal is on my mind...

Returning to the keyboard after some time. ("Some time" is an UNDERSTATEMENT!)
Nepal is on my mind.
I want to bring here conservative perspective to the daily travails and vision for the way forward for the severely tested Nepalis...
6 days passed since the BENI BATTLE, the largest battle of the civil war so far! Last Saturday (March 20th) the western forces of maoists attacked the District Headquarters on the popular Jomsom trek. It seems they wanted to hold the town for at least 3 days, in order to embarass King's visit to nearby Pokhara.
Some papers write about Maoist victory. Some facts, some victory: about 500 dead maoists - the numbers seemed unbelievable when RNA spokesman came with on Nepal TV Sunday night - but now seem to be confirmed, and even surpassed by people in villages around Beni. The guerillas used kidnapped, brainwashed teenagers in the first wave, more experienced fighter behind. Wave after wave, whole night. The barbarity of using kids to fight this crazy war is ASTOUNDING!