Don's Home Places Nepal Maoist violence announcement Contact
From: "Consular Section" <cons@col.com.np>
Date:  Oct 2002
Subject: Nepal Wardens Message
This Warden Message is being issued to advise American citizens of a Maoist call for an escalation in violent activities leading up to a proposed three-day nationwide bandh (strike) on November 11-13. The Maoists are also calling for a regional strike on October 27 in an area that includes the Royal Chitwan National Park. This Message also alerts Americans to the heightened risks associated with trekking in Nepal and reiterates the possibility of continuing risks from the Maoist insurgency to American citizens and American interests in Nepal, especially outside the Kathmandu Valley.

Maoists recently called for a campaign of escalating violence and "people's mobilization" leading up to a proposed three-day nationwide bandh (strike) on November 11-13. They have also called for a bandh on October 27 throughout the southern Terai region, which includes the Royal Chitwan National Park.

In the past year, assaults on and robberies of foreigners have increased along trekking routes, including in some of the most popular trekking areas. Several Maoist incidents, including robberies and threats against Americans, have occurred on the previously popular trail from Jiri to Lukla. Trekkers are advised to confine their hikes to the main trails in the Annapurna region or to the Everest regions above Lukla. Two recent assaults involved trekkers hiking alone. Trekkers are advised never to travel alone or to become separated from larger traveling parties while on a trail.

Americans who wish to travel outside the Kathmandu Valley are strongly urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for the most recent security information before undertaking such travel. Given the destruction by Maoists of telephone facilities along some trails, it is especially important that trekkers and persons planning travel outside the Valley register their itineraries with the Embassy. Americans planning travel outside the Valley should carefully adhere to the following important guidance: Don't travel at night.

For information about bandhs, guidance on safety and security measures to be followed during bandhs, additional information on trekking and information about local security conditions in Nepal, American citizens are strongly encouraged to refer to the Consular Information Sheet for Nepal and the current Public Announcement for Nepal, dated September 3. These documents as well as the current WorldWide Caution Public Announcement and further information on travel to Nepal may be found at at http://travel.state.gov/nepal_announce.html on the Department of State's page at http://travel.state.gov/ and the American Embassy in Nepal's home page at http://www.south-asia.com/USA. Americans living in or visiting Nepal are strongly urged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Nepal by e-mail, by accessing the Embassy's home page, or by personal appearance. The U.S. Embassy is located at Pani Pokhari in Kathmandu, telephone (977) (1) 411179; fax (977) (1) 419963.