Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kathmandu (Fides Service) - “The situation is under control but tension is tangible. The curfew continues. Today it started at 9am after the authorities gave the people about three hours for essential movement and trade of basic goods. Today is a national day of mourning and the whole country is still deeply shaken”. Father Pius Perumana, Pro-Prefect Apostolic in Nepal, said this in a conversation with Fides with regard to the situation in the capital Kathmandu, after Islamic terrorists in Iraq murdered 12 Nepalese civilians taken hostage.
Father Pius continued: “No one was expecting such a violent reaction. It was clear that people were deeply grieved and angry but unfortunately these feelings exploded in collective disorder. Immediate intervention by police and the authorities calmed the riots and helped to avoid further violence. Religious leaders in Nepal have publicly condemned the crime. The tragedy has affected all the citizens of Nepal regardless of their religious beliefs.” The Pro-Prefect denied reports issued by certain news agencies that Christians in Nepal were in danger of religious violence. “Like everyone else Christians are staying at home, but not out of fear for themselves as Christians but because of the general air of tension. We are praying for the victims and their families”.
In the capital the situation is under control and there have been no more incidents. However the city was put under curfew at 2pm yesterday. Yesterday September 1 hundreds of people took to the streets at the news that the Islamic terrorist group Ansar Al Sunna had killed the 12 Nepalese hostages. The crowds wanted revenge and set fire to two mosques Jame and Takie in the centre of Kathmandu. Crowds broke into Jame mosque and set fire to furnishings and religious objects and other material. The angry mob threw stones at public buildings accusing the government of not doing enough to try to save the hostages. The police intervened and stopped the violence. Official reports say two people were killed in the riots.
The crowds also attacked offices of labour agencies and airways including Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabia Airlines. According to various different sources, about 200,000 citizens of Nepal work in countries in the Persian Gulf. Some have regular permits but many are illegal immigrants, exploited, underpaid and forced to undertake dangerous work.
The government has said it will pay one million Rupee (about 11,000 Euro) compensation to each of the families who lost a dear one in the tragedy. It has also said it intends to investigate the activity of the Moonlight Consultancy agency which engaged the 12 workers who were killed. In fact the families of the 12 men say they were sent illegally and against their will to Iraq. They had signed a contract for jobs in Jordan. When they reached Jordan their passports were confiscated and they were transferred to Iraq.
In Nepal 75% of the population of 27 million is Hindu, but there is freedom of religion. The other religions are 8,2% Buddhism, 3,9% Islam, 2,5% Christianity. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2004 lines 45 words 503)
