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Nepal

Another Black September

by Samudaya.org | September 2007

All photos by Subel Bhandari / Balaju and Bir Hospital

A micro bus used for public mass transit, after a bomb left inside explodes

On 31 August, 2004, 12 Nepalis were brutally murdered in Iraq by an Islamic terrorist group. On 1 September, the event was quickly politicized and dangerously turned in to a violent agitation against anything with a hint of Islam in Kathmandu. Fear of ethnic clashes erupting against the Terai's Muslim community quickly spread and curfews were declared in various parts of the country by afternoon. Today, three years later, three powerful bombs exploded in Kathmandu, almost simultaneously, at about 4:15PM, killing two Nepalis, critically injuring two dozen, and striking fear into the hearts of the city's residents in a brutal act of domestic terrorism for which a Terai militant group has allegedly taken credit.

The police give details to the media

By 5PM, the city was a buzz with the news of bombs explosions; a brutal attack on a public bus in Tripeshwor, an equally devastating attack on a public microbus in Balaju, and another in Sundhara. Still, from atop the Dharahara, only a minuet's walk from the site of the Sundhara attack, the city looked unaffected. Thamel it self was enjoying a busy Sunday evening too. It seems it was not until the evening news on television that most Nepalis, even those in the city, got a sense of just how vicious these attacks were.

Feet of one of the female passengers of the micro bus is packed in plastic

From a scene of smoldering chaos, TV crews catch an image of a young man trying to stand up. His grey pants are torn; his white shirt tattered and stained with blood. His tie is still in tact, but he is severely injured and bleeding from cuts all over his body. The student did not die in the attack, but the camera catches another body only about a foot away that lies motionless. The news cuts to a footage from Bir Hospital, where many of the injured are being treated. A four-year-old, one of the victims, cries in panic and pain. A shaken eye witness tells reporters that he saw three people whose legs had been blown apart. Vishwa Nikten High School's principal explains to the media crew that his high school students were caught in the Tripeshwor attack which took place just outside the school complex and the newly built World Trade Center shopping complex, across the street from Rangashala stadium. Students from grades 6 and up were injured, and Anisha KC, a high school student in grade 12, died.

The motorcyclist behind the micro bus was severely injured too

It was not until past 9PM that the Home Ministry finally released a press statement confirming the deaths and other details about the incident. A Maoist affiliated TV channel noted that the attack took place despite the fact that the Home Ministry control the Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and Nepal's Secret Service, and despite its constant reassurance about the country's security situation. Indeed this attack comes at a critical time, just 80 days before the planned Constituent Assembly election.

Blood of the passengers of the micro bus

News agencies, national and international, tried to confirm who the attacks might have been conducted by but so far there are only sketchy reports that a militant group Terai Army has claimed responsibility. However, a journalist who has followed the Madesh issue closely expressed skepticism, cautioning that there are so many small groups in the Terai that will claim responsibility just to come into the spotlight.

People push away the damaged bus from the site

Tonight, tight security check points have been setup all across the city. But one can only imagine the fear and insecurity with which people will start their week tomorrow morning, a Monday, especially the tens of thousands who depend on mass transit. Tonight, Kathmandu sleeps worried about tomorrow yet again.

Bir hospital, doctor checks on an elderly person who has lost his hearing after the blasts

Comments

September 2nd, 2007

1 | Loyal_Nepali:

Its so sad to hear about these kind of atrocities in Nepal. This was not the Nepal that I left five years ago. It just seems that Nepalis have become more violent and bloodthirsty. Its totally unfair that the innocent are the ones to pay heavily. The posted images are really disturbing and it just bugs the hell out me that all that we (Nepalis living outside of Nepal) can do is sit and watch/listen to the news.

September 4th, 2007

2 | Cool Hand luke:

This act is simply a Criminal Act, Nothing more than that, By labeling it as a Act of Terrorism we are simply inviting the government to impose a police state, soon everyone of us have to go through the regular police harassment like we did during Gyane’s Rule. Soon government will introduce Terrorism act and police can put anyone behind bars for months or maybe a year without any charges. Media should be careful and should not sensationalize this terrible crimnal act with chessy headline.

September 5th, 2007

3 | D Khanal:

Maoist affiliated Television?
Whats that? I mean which is the maoist affiliated television channel?

September 5th, 2007

4 | Maverick:

Very sad news.

What happen to this site?? If you need some help. I would be glad to help.

September 5th, 2007

5 | photographer:

Sagarmatha television, a new news channel in nepal, is affiliated to the maoists.

September 7th, 2007

6 | toriganthe:

Let me just throw some some ideas here.
# Water = ‘Blue Gold’
# Acts of Terrorism = ‘False Flag’
# Divide and Conquer
# Ogliarchy, plutocracy.
# Mittal Steel
# Asian Union as compared to European Union and the soon to become American Union
# Further down the road, One World Monopolist and the New World Order

You connect the dots. But then again I could just be paranoid.

February 7th, 2008

7 | Anish:

This was not a nice thing to do. INternal terrorism is really mushrooming in Nepal.

Food for thought

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Another Black September

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