Nepal now a landmine-free nation

Nearly five years after the end of a 10 year civil war that killed around 13,000, Nepal on Tuesday destroyed the last remaining landmine in the country.

Updated on: Jun 14, 2011, 19:00:37 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Nearly five years after the end of a 10 year civil war that killed around 13,000, Nepal on Tuesday destroyed the last remaining landmine in the country.

With completion of the demining drill at Pulchowki in Lalitpur on the outskirts of the capital by the army, Nepal became the second country in Asia after China to get rid of landmines.

The last landmine was destroyed in the presence of Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, senior Nepal Army brass and officials of United Nations Mine Action Team (UNMAT).

The landmine at Pulchowki was among the 257 landmines planted at 53 locations by Nepal Army to protect its installations after it was deployed against the Maoist Peoples' Liberation Army during the civil war.

Clearing of the landmines is part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the Maoists, the Nepal government and a seven-party alliance in 2006 that led to the end of the civil war.

Nearly 500 incidents of landmine casualties -- 78 fatal -- were reported during the civil war while, four others were killed and 19 injured in landmine-related accidents after signing of the peace accord.

Although the accord required both NA and Maoists to provide details of landmines within 30 days of signing the deal and finish demining work in 60 days-the process lasted nearly five years.

Tuesday's development was hailed as an important milestone in the peace process by the prime minister, but Nepal is yet to complete the task of rehabilitating 19,000 PLA combatants stationed in cantonments.

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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