Friend gravely wounded.

A boy from village, now a strong young man, a friend to our boys and a friend of mine, had a miraculous escape yesterday morning. First the news fro0m NepalEyes.com:

13 security personnel, 1 Maoist killed in Kavre clash
Nepaleyes Report Kathmandu, March 21
At least 13 Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) soldiers and a Maoist were killed in a clash at Dapcha area of Chhatrebanjh VDC-6 in Kavre district Monday. A local man and three other security men were also injured in the incident. The clash that ensued after the rebels attacked a group of security personnel that had gone to resume the water supply at Dapcha, which had been blocked by Maoists. The clash had lasted for about two hours. A press release issued by Ministry of Defense confirmed death toll on RNA side. It also claimed that casualty on the side of Maoists was also quite high. However, Maoists dismissing the Ministry's assertion confirmed the death of their battalion commander Chaturman Tamang alias Anish. They also said three of their cadres were injured in the incident.

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I have not yet seen him in the Army Hospital in Chhauni, but our doughter called me after visit:
B. (until we win, no names!) and his group were ambushed by the MaoBadBoyz without warning while walking through a village to remove blockade of water channel in Dapche, East of Dulikhel, Namo Budha, abt. 40 km E of the Valley. Yes, the BAD Royal Army of Rapists according to the Divine Communists, went to help the people! For this the bastards were waiting in farmhouses and opened up withou warning. B., as his fellow Gurkhas, was instantly hit. The bullet pierced his side, bypassing (I stop usind the word MIRACULOUS, it will be too repetitive...) any vital organs: liver, stomach, spleen or bone!!! He kind-of lost conciousness, but felt being kicked as some voices said: "This one is ALSO dead!". They took his M16 rifle and left him for dead. All around were his friends, dead or dying...
This is, as said, from second, daughter's hand. I'm going tomorrow to see him, if they let me in.
This sympático guy came back home just 3 weeks ago from UN-deployment in (East-) Congo and we had long talk about the situation there and his experiences, while his 18-months old daughter run around in these silly chinese sneakers with irritating squeaking sound and blue/red LED lights, chasing/being chased by our dogs, as large as this tiny tot... He got a week holiday, after 6 months in the african jungle! , then back to nepali one...
I pray for this guy, may Shiva give him strength and he return to his family here in the village!
Jai Shiva!

Rain !

After 5 months, longest according to the British Embassy 100-year records!, yesterday the clouds not only threatened, they DELIVERED! Our potatoes look dark-green, shiny this morning, winter wheat straighter... I can AGAIN see from my terrace across the Velley to Pathan and hills above Dakshinkali. Our little puppy never knew rain and is perplexed and shivering.
From NewslineNepal

Rain God Greets Kathmandu, Finally
2006-03-10 06:42:09
NLN Correspondent, KATHMANDU: After five-months of virtual drought, Kathmanduties finally witnessed the rains on Friday. The long desired rainfall came at a time when the city dwellers were gradually feeling the parching heat of summer. The rain-triggered coldness once again compelled the city dwellers to seek the coziness. Soaked with water, the major roads of the city also symbolized the end of month-long dryness. Not only Kathmandu but also the most parts of the country are forecast to record the satisfactory level of rainfall, according to the Department of Meteorology ?Meteorologically speaking, the valley is on the verge of receiving more rainfall in days ahead,? informed an official of the department. The available data of the department showed that the capital normally receives 54 ml rainfall annually during the winter season. However, for the first time in meteorological history of last 100 years, the city faced the completely dry winter.

Where is our Pinochet?

I am truly depressed by developments in Nepal. I didn't have any apetite to blog (for 3 weeks!!!) and comment on this sorry state of affairs. HM blew it - he didn't go the whole nine yards of Pinochet when he took over last year, while he could...
And now he, and the whole Nepal, is paying the price: Like the good ole' Osama been Loaded said - the parties - and the citizens in general - like the STRONG HORSE. And HM looks a lot like a lame one. If he had listened to his inner voice (and mine!) he would have hanged the people responsible for the rise of MaoBad Boyz and he would have gained respect. And more respect would come if he had expelled anyone: foreigner, ambassador, "human rights" campaigner, ANYONE who as much as squeek-ed about "this war is unwinable". And pulled Nepali soldiers from Congo defending who knows what and let them defend their farms and homes. He could have put the country on war footing, make the same conditions for Kathmanduites as for their brethren livng under in the hills, so no one will have any illusion there IS A WAR GOING ON: close dancing halls, concerts, cinemas, restaurants to close at 6PM. Finger-tip scanners with GSM-phone connected to Police database, ID cards for everyone in the Valley

7 March, 2006
NEPAL
Maoist rebels sell looted petrol to raise funds
by Prakash Dubey

Attacks on tankers are followed by cheap oil sales in villages. Experts say the rebels are running short of money.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) ? Maoist rebels are stealing and selling petroleum products to raise funds since the decline pf the lucrative marijuana trade. On 25 February, in the southwest district of Banke (500km from Kathmandu), the rebels seized nine tankers of the Nepal Oil Corporation and distributed around one million litres of petroleum products at a price less than the official rate of 6.5 rupees per litre. The 18 drivers were released on the night of 27 February and handed over to human rights activists.

One activist who secured their release said: ?The Maoists said they would distribute the petroleum products among the poor villagers at a minimum price, to help them. They further contended that the tankers belonged to rich bourgeoisie elements who exploit the people.? He said the rebels refused to return the tankers although they were private property but at least, they did not blow them up as they did on 24 February in Kavre district. Another two tankers were seized in Chitwan district, near the Rapti River, on 25 February.

Naveen Karki, an economist, told AsiaNews: ?It?s not precise to say the Maoists distribute petroleum to help the poor. Rather, they sell the stolen petroleum in villages through people to who they give a good commission. They must find funds to cover their daily needs, as incessant army offensives against them have weakened their economic hold in areas where they used to get money from people. I am sure Maoists will target other economic installations to procure funds.?

Karki added: ?Another source of easy money for the Maoists has been the multi-million cultivation of marijuana in the country?s northern districts. Now, the marijuana trade is protected by the army, the government and political parties, but the true beneficiaries were the Maoists. However in recent times, Indian security forces have stepped up anti-smuggling operations and the drug trade in Nepal has collapsed. The rebels have lost millions of rupees per week. This is why they have taken to looting private tankers, unlike in the past, when they

looted or destroyed oil tankers intended for security purposes.?