US embassy cable - 04KATHMANDU620

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000620 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR SA/INS AND DS/IP/SA, LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY, NSC 
FOR MILLARD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, ASEC, CASC, NP 
SUBJECT: NEPAL: POLITICAL PROTESTS CONTINUE, MARRED BY 
VIOLENCE 
 
REF: KATHMANDU 612 
 
1. (SBU) Summary.  On April 5, Nepal's political parties 
continued to demonstrate against the government for the fifth 
consecutive day.  In response to violence on April 2 
(reftel), the protesters declared a closure, or "bandh," in 
the capital for April 3.  The closure was rigorously enforced 
by party cadre with roughly 12,000 activists on the streets. 
There were fewer protesters on April 4, although over one 
hundred were injured, including at least six senior party 
leaders.  As of 1600 hours on April 5, between 10-12,000 
demonstrators remained on the streets, although no violence 
had erupted.  Meanwhile, Maoist Supreme Leader Pushpa Kumar 
Dahal, alias Prachanda, issued a public statement on April 2 
supporting the political party protests.  Although the police 
or ill-equipped and poorly-trained to handle civil disorders, 
political party leaders, in the South Asian tradition, may 
also be guilty of courting injury to increase public sympathy 
and restore their lost legitimacy.  End Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) Street demonstrations by five political parties in 
protest of the Government of Nepal (GON) that began on April 
1 (reftel) continued through the weekend and into Monday, 
April 5.  The ongoing demonstrations have been marred by 
violence between the protesters, the police, and in some 
cases government supporters.  In three days (April 3-5), 
roughly 130 protesters were injured through police use of 
teargas, plastic bullets and lathis (bamboo canes). 
 
3. (SBU) Due to violence on April 1-2, the political parties 
declared a "bandh," or closure, in the capital for April 3. 
Party activists were out early in the morning to enforce the 
bandh by setting fire to tires and throwing stones at 
vehicles on the streets (including an Embassy security 
vehicle).  By mid-day, approximately 12,000 political 
protesters were on the streets.  Virtually all commercial and 
private vehicles were off the roads while hundreds of police 
in riot gear stood down thousands of demonstrators waving 
flags and chanting slogans near the Royal Palace.  The press 
reported that a small number of government supporters, or 
"mandales," also confronted the protesters on Saturday, in 
some cases resulting in violence. 
 
4. (SBU) On April 4, the number of protesters declined with 
between 2-8,000 on the streets.  When protesters attempted to 
cross the "line of control" established by police, violence 
ensued, resulting in the injury of over one hundred 
demonstrators, including at least six senior party members. 
Roughly two dozen protesters sustained more than minor 
injuries.  A political party contact suggested that the 
protesters initiated the violence by throwing stones at 
police personnel who then reacted with teargas and lathi 
charges.  Demonstrations continued on April 5.  As of 1600 
hours, between 10-12,000 demonstrators were present, although 
no violence had been reported. 
 
5. (SBU) Meanwhile, on April 2, the Maoists issued a press 
release signed by Supreme Leader Pushpa Kumar Dahal, alias 
Prachanda, in support of the political party demonstrations. 
A translated copy of the statement notes that "our party has 
been emphasizing discussion, understanding and collaboration 
among all the political parties" and promises to "effectively 
stop physical action against the leaders and cadres of any 
political parties."  (Note.  A similar commitment to stop 
targeting political party activists in 2003 had no noticeable 
effect as the insurgents have continued to abduct and kill 
party members.  End Note.) 
 
6. (SBU) Comment.  Although five consecutive days of 
agitation have garnered sustained turnout, it is unclear 
whether the political parties are appealing to more than just 
their party cadres.  Front-page coverage of the protests in 
vernacular and English-language dailies have portrayed the 
demonstrators sympathetically.  Featured prominently are 
color pictures of the injured and an action photo of a 
policeman beating a prone protester on the street. 
Considering the inadequate equipment and training given to 
the police to handle civil disorders, it is unsurprising that 
the ongoing protests have led to violence and injury. 
However, in the political tradition of South Asia, party 
leaders often welcome physical confrontation in order to 
garner popular sympathy and support.  With the failure of 
Nepal's political parties to launch a substantive, 
issue-oriented program, they appear to be courting injury in 
an attempt to regain their lost legitimacy.  Despite the 
parties' claim that the ongoing protests signify a "new 
stage" in the anti-regression movement, they have failed to 
propose ideas on how to solve the country's problems or 
overcome the political impasse.  Meanwhile, the King is 
showing more interest in the people's welfare by visiting 
western Nepal, including a tour on April 3 of Beni in Myagdi 
District -- the site of the latest large-scale Maoist attack. 
 End comment. 
 
 
MALINOWSKI