Aftershock

by DURGA HUMAGAIN, TANSEN

FROM ISSUE # 123 (March 2006) | IN THIS ISSUE
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The Maoist attack in Tansen on 31 January 2006 has left the young people in Palpa feeling insecure. Five thousand Maoists attacked simultaneously from six different places. At midnight, they released all the prisoners in Palpa Jail and bombed the cell. They destroyed the Durbar area and bombed seven government offices and the residences of the CDO, LDO, and Planning Officer. Afterwards, they abducted CDO Laxman Kumar Thapa and Yam Prasad Parajuli, chief of National Research Centre, along with 27 policemen. They destroyed 10 government vehicles, Nepal Telecom's counter and other properties. The Maoists even looted computers from Agricultural Development Bank's branch office and Kailashnagar's Division Drinking Water Office. Ever since, the mobile phone service here has been cut off.

The battle broke out in the district headquarters' main bazaar. Shutters in Shitalpati, Makhantol, Silkhaantol, Kailashnagar, Buspark, and Mehaldhara have bullet marks. The after-effect of the attack on the Palpa's youth is alarming. They are still in shock. Many academic institutions remain closed. Students are still afraid to venture out, even for school. College students are now contemplating leaving Palpa. "The event left us feeling discouraged and disillusioned. It has disrupted our studies. Students here will take to the streets to protest such violence," says Narayan Timilsina, an MBA student at Tribhuvan Multiple College, the only government college in Palpa. There are five plus-two colleges here.

"After that attack, it's no wonder the young people want to leave the place," says Damodar Khanal, a teacher. Station manager of Srinagar FM, Jagdish Bhattarai says, "The effect on the people, especially the young people, is negative. It will take a long time for the psychological damage to heal." The youth here have condemned such act of violence and destruction.