Nepal Maoists seize forest resort

At a time when pressure is mounting on them to release properties seized during the civil war, Maoists in Nepal have been accused of forcibly taking control of a popular forest resort.

Updated on: Nov 18, 2010, 01:27:11 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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At a time when pressure is mounting on them to release properties seized during the civil war, Maoists in Nepal have been accused of forcibly taking control of a popular forest resort.

Maoist cadres and members of Youth Communist League, the party’s youth wing, allegedly captured the Baghmara Wildlife Resort located in Chitwan district on Tuesday.

Lying close to the Baghmara forest in Chitwan National Park, the resort is located 165 km from Kathmandu. The national park has several resorts and is a popular destination with foreign tourists.

Proprietors of the resort who are planning to sell the property allege that despite complaint to the police, no action has been initiated.

The Maoists have dubbed the allegations as false. Forest minister Deepak Bohara also said that no complaint has been received but assured strong action if such a thing has happened.

According to owners, the 15-year resort has been suffering losses since June 2007 when they remained closed for three months due to pressure from local Maoists to set up a union of staffers.

“On Tuesday the Maoists held a press briefing in Chitwan informing their move to capture the resort. They have been running it since then and we have no control,” said Suwal.

It is estimated that during the civil war over 1400 properties were seized by Maoists. But despite the 2006 peace they haven’t returned these properties.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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