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Posted
on 26-Nov-01 04:21 AM
For more details, check out http://travel.state.gov/nepal.html.
SAFETY/SECURITY: Since February 1996, a rural Maoist insurgency in Nepal has resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,700 people. Since the fall of 2000, Maoist insurgent activity has increased markedly. Maoist attacks in a number of rural areas have inflicted heavy casualties on Nepalese police in intense firefights. Maoist violence is typically aimed at Nepalese government offices, police, and political leaders. However, in at least three instances (one involving a rafting party, another a group of trekkers, and a third a popular resort hotel in Pokhara), armed Maoists have robbed tourists or tourist facilities. While there have been no injuries associated with these latter confrontations, they underscore the need for American tourists and residents in Nepal to exercise extreme caution when planning travel to or through Nepal.
Because of the potential for violence, the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu forbids U.S. Government employees from traveling to or through Jajarkot, Kalikot, Rolpa, Rukum, and Salyan districts. These districts have been most seriously affected by the insurgency. The Department of State cautions American citizens to avoid travel to or through these areas. In addition, the Embassy restricts U.S. Government employee travel to or through parts of the following districts: Accham, Baglung (except Baglung Bazaar), Bardia (except the main road to Bardia National Park and tourist resorts in and around the perimeter of the park), Dailekh, Dang (except the main highway through Lamahi to Amile), Dolakha, Dolpa, Gorkha, Jumla, Kavre (except the main highway through Banepa and Dhulikhel to Dolaghat), Lamjung (except the portion through which the Annapurna Circuit runs), Mugu, Pyuthan, Ramechapp, Sindhuli, Sindupalchok, and Surkhet districts. Only essential, daylight travel is permitted in these areas. American citizens traveling in these districts are advised to exercise extreme caution. Maoist incidents have also occurred in other districts, including in the Kathmandu Valley. Security problems may occur anywhere in Nepal.
Maoist groups have threatened to take actions against non-governmental organizations (NGOs) they perceive to have an American affiliation. Offices of several American NGOs, their local partners, and multinational businesses working in Nepal have been attacked by Maoists, in at least one case explicitly because of the organization's association with the United States. Since the fall of 2000, workers in a number of NGO projects have reported a substantial increase in incidents in which Maoists have used intimidation and extortion. Some project workers have evacuated their areas due to concerns about possible Maoist violence and in response to Maoist directives to stop their work.
Road travel by U.S. Government employees is forbidden in particular areas of Nepal when the likelihood of violence is high. The U.S. Embassy recommends that road travel outside the Kathmandu Valley be undertaken only during daylight. American citizens are strongly urged to check in with the U.S. Embassy upon arrival in Nepal to receive the latest security information, since the potential for violence now extends to all areas that have in the past been relatively free of activity. The latest security information is also available on the U.S. Embassy's home page at http://www.south-asia.com/usa/
Public demonstrations and strikes are popular forms of political expression in Nepal, and they may occur on short notice. These demonstrations are usually nonviolent and not directed towards foreigners. On occasion, however, rock throwers have targeted vehicles, and acts of intimidation by strike supporters have been reported. During a general strike (called a "Bandh" in Nepal), many businesses close, and transportation and city services may be disrupted. Americans are urged to exercise caution and to avoid travel from the evening immediately preceding a strike through the evening of the strike.
Americans traveling in Nepal should be aware of the potential for some hotels and guesthouses to close during a bandh, requiring that travelers seek accommodations elsewhere.
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