News 2002 RNA blamed Maoists for taking alcohol, drugs prior to attacks July 2002 Khara attack: More details July 2002 Maoist leader renews dialogue call July 2002 India ready to act against Maoists July 2002 Map of Nepal

Royal Nepal Army (RNA) in Khara in Rolpa district claims that they have found evidences of excessive use of alcohol and drugs by the Maoists while launching attacks on the Khara company of the army. "About 8,000 combat fighters of Maoist rebels had come for Khara attack. Most of them had come for the attack in alcoholic stupor after drinking wine," an army officer said." Army personell found gallons and gallons of wines, quarter bottles of rum from the dead rebels, medicines in small rubber bottles, syringes with drugs, and condoms in pockets of each."

The RNA battalion at Khara has been based in a camp on a high hillock with slopes all around for construction of Salyan-Musikot road and for maintaining law and order. The battalion commander said that they have received information that the terrorists have planned to attack again in the fourth week of July.

"As the Maoist forces in Rukum have been gradually destroyed, their forces are inadequate. Therefore, they can launch an unsuccessful attack in any one place by bringing guerrilla personell from outside, but they can't launch attacks in two or more places simultaneously. " the commander said. The army has disclosed that the Maoist forces have moved ahead their plan of attack in Rukum with the help of 38 platoons of armed militia including five platoons of hard core fighters from Rukum and additional 33 platoons from outside. One platoon usually has 38 to 42 guerrillas.

The army also informed that the Maoists have been giving military training to the new ones and political training to the old ones focusing on Rukum, Jajarkot, Salyan and Rolpa districts.

"The Maoists have now been engaged in collecting foodgrains and organisational extension by threatening the helpless people and recruiting and giving training to new persons and ex-armies, forcefully extorting money and kidnapping. The terrorists have continued destruction of physical infrastructure and looting even after the imposition of emergency in the country", the commander added.

The Maoist's fresh appeal for peace talks comes several months ahead of parliamentary elections in the country.
The Maoist Communist Party's leader Prachanda called for a positive political solution to end the long-running insurgency in Nepal. The Maoist rebels have several times repeated the call for resumption of dialogue. The goverment has ruled out talks unless the rebels laid down arms.

The Indian government would immediately arrest them (senior Maoist leaders) if the Nepal government provides information about their hideouts. The ambassador said that some leaders of Nepal's political parties, including opposition leaders, might have authentic information about the Maoist leaders hiding in India. Some of the party leaders have met with the Maoist leaders in India, Indian intelligence sources said. An Indian intelligence department is closely monitoring leaders of the banned organisation. The Indian government is going to deploy Special Service Bureau along the Nepal-India border with a view to controlling Maoist terrorism and other forms of criminal activities.

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