Security Information October 2004 BBC report on Gandruk May 2004 Annapurna region: Maoist activities in the Ghandruk area April 2004 US State Department warned US citizens March 2004 Annapurna area: Maoists announced blockade in headquarters January 2004 Annapurna-Everest: Maoists demand donations

May 23, 2004

There had been some severe incidents in the Ghandruk area along the Pokhara - Mustang Trek and the trek to the Annapurna Base Camp. Maoists have destroyed the Annapurna Conservation Area Project's (ACAP) headquarters near Ghandruk some kilometres out of Pokhara town last year. Now the rebels took five prominent hoteliers of Ghandruk hostage and killed two of them. The Maoists advised the tourists to bypass Ghandruk for now.

The army has been unable to get to Ghandruk for fear of Maoist ambushes along the way. The RNA has begun patrolling the area. The trek from Ghandruk to Ghorepani is crossing a hot spot of the Maoist activities.

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	The US State Department warned US citizens to defer non-essential travel to Nepal amid reports that American trekkers were detained by rebels. "The US embassy has received two reports of American trekkers being detained by Maoists," the State Department said.
	Ongoing prostest rallys by the five-agitating political parties. The Government has declared parts of Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts as riot affected areas and banned protest rallies and demonstrations. One-day curfew imposed on Friday April 9th.

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In a statement Maoist organisations have announced blockade in 13 district headquarters of Narayani, Gandaki, Dhaulagiri, Lumbini and Gandaki zones. The Maoists have announced blockades in the district headquarters of Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Palpa, Syanja, Kaski, Tananun, Parwat, Lamjung, Gorkha, Gulmi, Myagdi and Manang. Maoists have said they have blocked human mobility to and from the district headquarters. The Maoists have also threatened to bring the transportation, communication, trade as well as human mobility to a standstill in these districts. The blockades will remain effective from March 8 to 25, 2004. In a few places the blockade will go for an indefinite period. Notice: It is advised to check the local security situation before entering those areas.

The rebels stop by teahouses to talk to tourists and ask for donations. The Maoist soldiers remain polite. They demand donations from US $ 7 to US $ 14. There have been very few reported cases of tourists being pressured after refusing to pay.

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Kaski, Manang, Parbat, Gorkha,Lamjung and Solu Khumbu districts Trekkers reported that they have met rebels while on the trails along the "Round Annapurna route".

The rebels stop by teahouses to talk to tourists and ask for donations. The Maoist soldiers remain polite. They demand donations from US $ 7 to US $ 14. There have been very few reported cases of tourists being pressured after refusing to pay.