Nepal

Nepal: Maoist Blockade of Kathmandu Called Off

Date: March 21st, 2006 |

Maoists called off a blockade of Kathmandu March 19, six days after they imposed it and essentially stopped all traffic to the capital city. They also called off a general strike set for April 3 but endorsed a series of protests planned by opposition political parties to begin April 6. The move suggests that the [read more]

Nepal: Curfews Lifted, Political Unrest Continues, Elections to Go On

Date: January 24th, 2006 |

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The government vowed to hold municipal elections planned for Feb. 8 despite boycotts and protests by political parties who claim the elections are a ploy by King Gyanendra to consolidate power and appease the international community. Tensions came to a head Jan. 20 when the King imposed a daytime curfew and cut off all cell [read more]

Nepal: Hopes of a Settlement with the Maoists

Date: November 29th, 2005 |

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Hints of hope for a political settlement to the Maoist insurgency have arisen with an ongoing unilateral cease-fire by the Maoists, the announcement of an agreement between the Maoist leadership and a coalition of political parties to unite against the king to demand a constituent assembly, and further comments by Maoist leader Prachanda that he [read more]

South Asia

Date: June 14th, 2005 |

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The last year has seen a significant increase in threats and incidents targeting non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Individuals working for international aid and missionary groups have been attacked in several countries in the region, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. NGOs reported a 75 percent increase in incidents worldwide between 2003 and 2004. The security [read more]

Nepal

Date: January 18th, 2005 |

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The ninth anniversary of the Maoist uprising occurs in February, and officials expect the rebels to mount a major attack against the government, especially since the situation is deteriorating, with the government pushing ahead with elections the Maoists oppose and have vowed to disrupt, and with the prime minister promising a crackdown. Tourists, however, have [read more]

Nepal: Maoists Blockade Kathmandu

Date: March 14th, 2006 |

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Maoists have imposed a complete blockade of Kathmandu March 13, shutting down all traffic to the capital city. Opposition parties that formed a political alliance with the Maoists in an effort to depose King Gyanendra have asked the Maoists to call off the blockade, fearing it will give the king an excuse to crack down [read more]

Nepal: Peace Hopes Dimming

Date: December 27th, 2005 |

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The cautious optimism for a political settlement to the Maoist insurgency may be waning. The unilateral ceasefire declared by the Maoists is set to expire Jan. 2 and fighting flared Dec. 26 when the rebels attacked an army patrol in Rolpa in western Nepal. The Maoists have also called for a seven-day general strike known [read more]

India and Nepal

Date: September 6th, 2005 |

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An outbreak of Japanese encephalitis has killed almost 400 people in Uttar Pradesh and another 140 in the neighboring regions of Nepal in the past two months. Indian health officials blame the disease�s spread on the presence of pigs where people live and work. Pigs are carriers of the virus, which is transmitted to humans [read more]

Nepal

Date: February 1st, 2005 |

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King Gyanendra dissolved the government Feb. 1 for the second time in three years and imposed a state of emergency, stating that he would form a new cabinet under his control and restore peace and democracy within three years. Telephone and internet lines were cut off and most flights were diverted. The reaction to his [read more]

Nepal

Date: September 22nd, 2004 |

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Following a U.S. State Department warning that Maoists might target U.S. citizens for attack, “particularly in regions of the country under Maoist control,” the Peace Corps recalled all of its volunteers in the country. The departure marks the end of a 42-year-old program that saw some 4,000 volunteers lend a helping hand to a country [read more]

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