Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 4

The pace of conflict in the nation is steadily speeding up. During the period of emergency 1,150 civilians, 1,110 police personnel, 175 armed police force personnel and 371 Royal Nepal Army (RNA) men were killed. In the last five months, since breakdown of the ceasefire between Maoists and the Royal Nepal Army, 234 civilians, 128 police personnel, 57 armed police force personnel, 53 RNA personnel and 1000 Maoists have been killed.

Presenting figures of human casualties over a period of last eight years, home ministry spokesperson Gopendra Bahadur Pandey today said that 2,231 civilians and 1,538 police personnel were injured during the period. "Around 6000 Maoist rebels were killed," he claimed.

"A total of 234 civilians, 128 police personnel, 57 armed police force personnel, 53 RNA personnel and 1000 Maoists have been killed after the last ceasefire broke down," Pandey told mediapersons at a press briefing at the Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari.

Only 46 Maoists, who gave up the path of rebellion and surrendered to the government, are being rehabilitated by the government in Surkhet Rehabilitation Centre though the number of people who deserted the Maoist rebellion and surrendered to the government has reached 212. The government has estimated that property worth more than Rs 2 billion has been damaged due to the army and Maoist maelstrom and resultant chaos nationwide.

"Two hundred and twelve Maoists have surrendered to the government after the announcement of the amnesty package as well as promise of their security and rehabilitation in December," Pandey said.

He also informed that the 212 Maoists who surrendered to the government mostly hail from 46 districts including Sarlahi, Mahottari, Bajura, Myagdi, Arghakhanchi, Dhanusa, Taplejung, Kanchanpur, Rukum and Baitadi. Pandey described the trend of Maoists surrendering to the government as "satisfactory".