April 11, 2006

VALLEY FORGE, PA – Benjamin Chan, who oversees International Ministries' work in Nepal, called for continued prayer on behalf of Nepal and its people, in the light of new developments this week in the tense political situation affecting the country.

Opposition parties in the Kingdom of Nepal called for a four-day transportation stoppage April 6-9, and a major protest in Kathmandu, the capital city, on Saturday, April 8. Before the protest was to begin, the Nepali government responded by declaring a 10 am to 9 pm curfew for Kathmandu and environs, and by cutting off service to mobile phones. Despite these measures, the Reuters news agency reported today that a clash occurred between government troops and protesters gathered in the resort town of Pokhara, some 200 km to the west of Kathmandu. According to the Reuters account, one protester was shot and killed during the conflict.

Democracy has been a relatively recent addition to life in the Hindu Kingdom of Nepal, which instituted a multiparty system of constitutional monarchy in 1990. The development of democratic institutions has been hampered by a Maoist insurgency that has led to the deaths of some 13,000 people over the last decade.

International Ministries representative Chan added that he had been in contact with Bucky and Carole Sydnor, IM personnel in the Kathmandu valley. The Sydnors reported that their sector of the Kathmandu valley had been quiet leading up to Saturday, with the streets full of pedestrians due to the transportation stoppage. The Sydnors join Chan in calling for continued prayer for Nepal and its people.

American Baptist Churches, USA