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Maoist
insurgency and tourism
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Travelling
inside Maoland: Reports
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| Close
encounters with Maoists (November 2004) |
It
was bound to happen sooner or later: Maoists have become Nepal's latest
tourist attraction. Trekking lodges along the Annapurna Base Camp trail
are abuzz with hikers exchanging experiences on their encounters with the
rebels and passing around precious souvenirs: Maoist tax receipts emblazoned
with portraits of Lenin, Stalin and Mao. Compared to last year, when many
tourists were apprehensive about meeting Maoists and felt uncomfortable
about paying a 'revolutionary tax' to a group espousing violence, this
season's trekkers seem to have taken the rebels in their stride. "They
behaved like friends," said Joni Lundstrom from Sweden, "they gave us a
receipt for Rs 1,000 and told us they would provide us with security."
| Kaski:
Maoists attacked Tourist Facilities in Ghandruk (May 2004) |
The
news of the murders of two prominent tourism entrepreneurs in Ghandruk
by Maoists has sent Pokhara into deep gloom. Ghandruk is an important trekking
stop on the trails to Ghorepani and Annapurna Base Camp and used to house
the headquarters of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), which
was destroyed by Maoists two years ago.
Maoists
took five prominent Ghandruk hoteliers hostage. They locked two lodges
and transferred guests from one tea house to another. Then came the news
that the Maoists had shot dead two of the hostages. The rebels told
villagers not to leave their houses and trekkers are bypassing Ghandruk
for now.
| Chitwan-Kaski:
Maoists attacked Fishtail Lodge in Pokhara and Gaida Wildlife Resort in
Chitwan N.P. (May 2004) |
Maoist
rebels stormed the luxury tourist hotel "Fishtail Lodge" in the Pokhara
area and then exploded a bomb, damaging the building but hurting no one.
About 150 people, including Indians and other foreigners, were in the Fishtail
Lodge, owned by the royal family. According to Police sources, all guests
and the staff rushed out before the explosion.
Maoists
detonated a bomb at the storeroom of Gaida Wildlife Resort located inside
the Chitwan National Park. The explosion had destroyed a room and
groceries. No casualties were reported.
| Myagdi:
Tourists stopped by Maoists in Beni (May 2004) |
Hundreds
of tourists returning from Mustang and Dhaulagiri base campremain stranded
at Beni, the district headquarters of Myagdi. The Maoist rebels has imposed
a blockade. Vehicular traffic on the Pokhara-Baglung-Beni road came to
a stillstand due to the blockade.
Earlier
this month the Maoists had forced Israeli trekkers returning from Mustang
to pay donations. According to eyewitnesses, the Maoists had initially
tried to manhandle the tourists but later let them go after taking NRs
5000 from each person.
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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. |
| Dhading:
Maoists stopped tourist car (Mar 2004) |
The
Maoists stopped a tourist car at Lamidanda. The Maoists released the tourists
15 minutes later and forced the two French tourists to return to Daman
on foot after they ignored the call for chakka jam in Makawanpur and Dadhing
districts.
| Chitwan:
Maoists attacked tourist bus (Mar 2004) |
According
to a Police statement, a group of Maoist rebels attempted to set ablaze
a tourist bus on its way to Tiger Top Hotel, Chitwan National Park. A British
couple returned to Narayangad on a rickshaw shortly after the rebels tried
to set bus on fire.
Midwestern
Nepal:
Maoist
decclared blockade in headquarters (Mar
2004) |
The
17-day blockade imposed by the Maoists in various districts of the central,
western and mid-western regions had a sizeable effect on normal life. The
blockade that will remain in force till March 23 has been imposed in 13
district headquarters of Palpa, Chitwan, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi, Syangja,
Parbat, Tanahun, Kaski, Lamjung, Baglung, Myagdi, Gulmi and Manang of Gandaki,
Lumbini, Dhawalagiri and Narayani zones.
| Kanchanpur:
Suspected Maoists attacked tourist van (Feb
2004) |
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A
Nepal police spokesman said a French couple and two children visiting Kanchanpur
in the southwestern corner of Nepal were hurt when rebels threw a bomb
at their van earlier this month. Such incidents are very rare in Nepal.
The Maoists say they do not attack tourists. However, tourist should be
aware that the ongoing conflict has claimed more than 9,000 lives, more
than 1,300 since the ceasefire periode has ended last August. |
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