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7 Maoists killed in Solukhumbu encounter
- Rebels explode bomb at steel industry in Bara
KATHMANDU, DEC 23 - Seven Maoist rebels, including a company commander, were killed during an exchange of fire with security forces in the Hyapre jungle of the Tapting Village Development Committee, Solukhumbu.
Our reports from Mahendrangar said that a group of armed Maoist rebels shot dead a police personnel in Chamanchauhara area of the bazzar, this evening. Narayan Singh Karki, the victim died on the spot as the rebels shot at him inside the police van. Yogendra Chokhyal, another police personnel inside the vehicle was wounded. The wounded is undergoing treatment at local Mahakali Zonal Hospital.
The van ferried some police personnel to carry out regular security check of vehicles on the site. When the rebels fired, there were only two persons inside the van, the rest being outside.
Locals said that company commander known as Tufan was among those killed in the encounter. The rebels, however, took the five bodies of their cadres along with them, said villagers.
Security sources claimed to have recovered a large cache of combat uniforms, various types of homemade bombs and logistics supplies while carrying out search operations in the jungle area.
Meanwhile, in Nuwakot, four civilians were injured today when the Maoists ambushed a private jeep mistaking it for a security vehicle on the Pasang Lhamu Highway at Pakhure in Madanpur VDC. The jeep, bearing registration number Ba 4 Cha 2174 was on its way to Kathmandu from Deurali. The injured people are yet to be identified. One of them was seriously injured, according to security sources.
A report from the Chula Chuli VDC in Ilam said that the locals themselves have taken up arms to defend against the Maoists, who had been intimidating them time and again. The villagers, who have formed Peace, Security and Good Governance Committee, said that they decided to resist the Maoists after the latter "crossed the limit of atrocities to the locals". The committee was officially recognised on Saturday. They have also demanded that the local administration provide them with sophisticated weapons such as SLRs and SMGs to resist the Maoist rebels.
A source close to the Charali-based military camp in Jhapa, said that they would not allow the villagers to possess sophisticated arms though they were ready to provide them with basic combat training for self-defence. Locals said that they did not have any other option but to resist the Maoists after the latter resorted to abduction, torture and looting property of individuals in the VDC.
In Bara, property worth hundreds of thousands of rupees was damaged when a group of Maoist rebels exploded a powerful bomb at Ashok Steel Industry at Jitpur-Bhawanipur, Bara last night.
Police said that the rebels took two security guards under their control and forced all 35 labourers to leave the working place before firebombing the industry. Nobody was hurt in the incident that occurred at Sunday midnight.
Industry officials said that two rooms supplying power to the industry have been completely damaged. Officials also said that the rebels also made off with four computer sets. They said that the property damaged by the explosion is yet to be assessed. Police suspect that the rebels retaliated with bombing the industry after its owner refused to provide the donation demanded by the Maoists.
Meanwhile, in Rajbiraj, four Maoists, including a minor girl, surrendered to local authorities giving up Maoist activities. Chief District Officer Ananda Raj Pokharel said that Bimala Luitel, 15, Jan Dev Khatiwoda, 19, Baburam Phuyal, 22 and Divya Raj Khatiwoda, 50, surrendered before him.Posted on: 2003-12-24 04:48
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