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| Nepal Key Events, January 2001 - May 2002
|
| January |
2001 |
Prime Minister (PM) Koirala is asked by opposition parties to resign but he survives an open "no confidence" vote in Parliament. A government-sponsored research group announces that the only way to resolve the conflict with Maoists is through negotiation. There are increased clashes between Maoists and police. Click here for a political history of the Maoists in Nepal |
| February |
2001 |
Parliamentary Opposition parties demand PM Koirala's resignation citing his implication in a bribery scandal with Lauda Air and his inability to maintain law and order. They disrupt Parliament for over three weeks. Maoist violence declines. |
| March |
2001 |
Both government and Maoists unofficially consider peace talks. Kofi Annan visits Nepal and praises the army's involvement in peacekeeping missions abroad. Unified Marxist Leninists and the Maoists hold joint rallies denouncing Koirala. |
| April |
2001 |
Maoists begin a renewed assault on police targets. Koirala recommends that the army be deployed against Maoists in some areas. Maoists request peace talks with the government. Donor countries express worry over continuing political unrest in Nepal. Opposition groups protest Koirala in Kathmandu and attempt to prevent him from entering his office. Over 100 leaders are arrested. With the King's consent, PM Koirala deploys army to protect development projects from Maoist attacks in seven rural districts as part of a government-run Integrated Security and Development Package. |
| May |
2001 |
Opposition leaders say they will not support government talks with the Maoists as long as Koirala is Prime Minister. Maoists set up "local governments" in regional strongholds. Six political parties call for a three-day general strike. Police fire on demonstrators killing two people and injuring hundreds. Hundreds more are arrested. |
| June |
2001 |
A drunken Crown Prince Dipendra kills nine members of the Royal family including the King over a dispute about the Prince's choice of a bride. After Prince Dipendra dies, Prince Gyandendra is crowned king. Violent demonstrations erupt as Maoists and non-Maoists express confusion over the killings. A curfew is declared in Kathmandu and hundreds are arrested in violation. PM Koirala commissions an investigation into the killings. PM Koirala continues to be criticized by opposition parties. |
| July |
2001 |
Maoists increase their violent attacks on police and army facilities. For the first time, the army comes into direct combat with the Maoists. PM Koirala resigns in the face of a bribery scandal, saying that he has failed to end the conflict with Maoists. The newly appointed PM Deuba and Maoist leader Prachanda each call for peace talks. A cease-fire begins. |
| August |
2001 |
PM Deuba receives an all-party mandate for peace talks with the Maoists and they agree to meet. Talks begin and are called "positive and cordial" by both sides. Maoist demands include abolishing the constitutional monarchy, rewriting of the constitution, and establishing an interim government to facilitate the transition to a republic.
Click here to view 40 demands first submitted by the Maoists in 1998 |
| September |
2001 |
A second round of talks occur between September 13th and 15th. Both sides consider them inconclusive. Nepalese government expresses support for the United States in its war against terror, citing its own experiences with violence. The Indian Minister of External Affairs and Defense calls the Nepalese Maoists "terrorists" and pledges support for the government of Nepal. |
| October |
2001 |
Maoists release 26 police officers. Maoist leader Prachanda requests the continuation of talks. Former PM Koirala says PM Deuba should stop peace talks. PM Deuba responds that the government will continue talks but asserts that they will not give in to the Maoists. Government releases a small number of Maoists. Maoists announce that the talks have broken down and demand the release of more prisoners. The cease-fire is broken as Maoists renew attacks. |
| November |
2001 |
Government opposition leaders, including former PM Koirala, request that PM Deuba continue peace talks with the Maoists. Police begin to attack Maoist targets. Maoists say they will give up their demand for a republic. PM Deuba rejects the other Maoist demands, including the demand for a constituent assembly. A third round of talks are held but falter. The Unified Marxist Leninists demand the resignation of PM Deuba claiming that he has failed to resolve the Maoist conflict. Dissention in Maoist ranks becomes apparent as Maoist guerillas meet with an opposition party leader to express their unwillingness to give up the demand for a republic, despite the Maoist negotiator's offer. Maoists renew violence. The government declares a state of emergency and issues the Terrorist and Destructive Activities Control and Punishment Ordinance limiting many rights including freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and freedom from preventative detention. Under this new Ordinance, the government calls the Maoists "terrorists." |
| December |
2001 |
Maoists request a fresh round of talks. Government says there will be no talks unless the Maoists disarm and give up violence. Fighting continues to escalate. Maoists bomb the chief government negotiator's house damaging property but causing no injuries or deaths. |
| January |
2002 |
The Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank of Nepal, freezes accounts of suspected Maoists. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell visits Nepal and pledges United States support in Nepal's fight against terrorism. |
| February |
2002 |
The meeting of Nepal Development Forum (NDF) takes place; international donor agencies and countries pledge $2.5 billion to Nepal. A major Maoist offensive against government posts begins on February 17th, during which at least 129 soldiers, police and civilians are killed. In response, the government increases military activity against the Maoist insurgency, and the State of Emergency, imposed in November, is extended for an additional three months. |
| March |
2002 |
Rebel strikes continue, targeting telecom facilities in Katmandu and torching vehicles. His Majesty King Gyanendra tours four western districts, which have been the scene of rebel activity, to assess the security situation. A strike called by the student wing of the Maoist movement shuts down most schools and colleges for two days. India offers military aid to Nepal, and the Asian Development Bank pledges $300 million in loans as concerns about limited press freedom mount. The House of Representatives passes a controversial Bill guaranteeing equal property rights and conditional abortion rights to women. |
| April |
2002 |
Prime Minister Deuba, in his first foreign trip since entering office in July 2001, seeks the support of the Indian government in its fight against the Maoist insurgency. An exchange of fire between the rebels and the security forces in Sadbariya, Lamahi and Bhalubang of Dang district kills over 300 people. Maoists call for a five-day Bandh (strike), which has minimal success. The United States and China pledge support for the government through military aid against the rebels. |
| May |
2002 |
Fighting escalates between government forces and insurgents. More than 300 rebels are killed in one week along with dozens of security personnel in the Gam area of the mid-western hill district of Rolpa, a rebel stronghold. Rebels renew an offer for peace talks and claim their intention to hold a month-long unilateral truce. The government dismisses these offers as untrustworthy. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba visits U.S. President George Bush in Washington and British Prime Minster Tony Blair in London, requesting military assistance and aid. |
