Eight years of conflict, IEDs/mines in Nepal
ý More than 10,000 people have died
ý More than Rs. 10 billion worth property destroyed, damaged, looted
ý More than 2000 children have been orphaned
ý More than 8,000 children have been displaced
ý More than 6689 children were abducted
ý More than 84 children have been arrested
ý Until 2000 use of IEDs and landmines was reported only in 37 districts, 72 in 2002 and by 2003 all 75 districts
ý Security forces use victim-activated mines (pressure and tripwire), command-detonated mines (remote control), and explosive devices with timers
ý Maoists use IEDs like socket bomb, presurecooker bomb, pipe bomb, baltin bomb etc. to trap, ambush security personnel
ý Security force has used about 10,000 antipersonnel mines to defend some 50 army posts. Acknowleged the use of mines in 2002.
ý In 2002 there were 720 casualties caused by landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other explosive devices, including 202 people killed and 518 injured. A total of 313 of the casualties were civilians, including 49 women and 46 children.
ý In 2001, the NCBL recorded 214 people killed and 210 injured in 148 landmine and IED incidents.
ý The Bheri Zonal Hospital reports that about 13 percent of the casualties of the conflict treated at the hospital in 2002 were mine casualties.
ý A review of the NCBL database on casualties leads Landmine Monitor to estimate that there were 177 civilian casualties to landmines and IEDs in 2002.
Note: Data until 2002.
Sources: CWIN, UNICEF, Child Soldier Newsletter, NCBL, Landmine Monitor Report 2001&2002
My research on daily broadsheets (TKP, KP, SP, R, AP, ST, HT) for the period of Nov 03 to April 04 (six months) showý
ý 99 children became victims of IEDs left behind by Maoists and grenades left behind by security forces. Mistaking them for toysý found in fields, grazing ground, roadsides etc.
ý Among them 33 died out of which 27 were boys and 7 were girls.
ý 66 were injured out of which 47 were boys and 9 were girls.
ý If the rate of incidents remained the same then 1.5 children per day get injured or die due to IEDs.
ý 1 child is killed by IEDs/mines every 5.5 days
ý 1 child get injured every 3.3 days.
ý This is a very worrisome figure for Nepal because of the total population 41 % is comprised of children below 16yrs. And 8% of the children live in villages. 40 % of the total children belong to extremely poor family.
Now where does this scene lead us? WHAT DOES THIS ALL SAY?
Giving you all more things to worry aboutý
HM
