Violence Continues in Nepal

A clash resulted after communist rebels ambushed an army patrol 80 km east of Kathmandu resulted in the killing of at least 16 people, among which 13 soldiers. This latest act of violence comes one day after the rebels ended a highway blockade that had crippled the country for 6 days.

The blockade was crippling for Nepal, considering it has no railroads and trucks transport all fuel, food and other supplies. Also, two people were killed in a bomb blast near the eastern town of Biratnagar, 550 km (340 miles) from Kathmandu.

Even though the Maoists ended their siege over the capital Kathmandu after the express demand from the country's seven main political parties, they announced a new series of protests for next month.

The insurgents also reconfirmed their devotion to a deal made in November 2005, which stipulated they should work together against King Gyanendra, who seized power last year. This conflict, started in 1996 and aimed at collapsing the Hindu monarchy, has claimed nearly 13,000 lives so far.

In November, Maoists also promised to rejoin the political mainstream in exchange for a promise from the political parties to hold elections for new constitution aimed at deciding on the role of the monarchy.

"There could be more agitation and protests in the future as the situation demands," stated the rebel leaders, Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai. Rebels believe in an interim government formed in order to hold elections for the new constitution. Still, political parties want to reinstate the dissolved parliament and then conduct a special assembly election.