Nepal acts against motorbike terror threat
Nepal banned passengers from motorbikes today in a bid to prevent drive-by attacks by rebels ahead of a week-long general strike and local elections in the coming week.
The government’s notice of the ban also said people must carry identification cards while moving through public places.
Maoist rebels, who operate mostly in rural areas, are known to use motorbikes to attack targets in cities and towns, where the two-wheeled vehicles can easily manoeuvre the narrow, crowded streets.
However, motorbikes are also a popular a common means of transport for people in Nepal, commonly used as family vehicles – often with parents and children on the same bike.
The government has been stepping up security followed increased attacks by the rebels, who have pledged to disrupt February 8 municipal elections to be held across the Himalayan nation.
The guerrillas have been blamed for the killing two candidates, the abduction of one and attempts to attack several others.
They have also called a seven-day general strike, beginning tomorrow and aimed at disrupting the polls.
The government has urged citizens to reject the strike call, and has given its assurance that businesses, schools and transport would be protected against rebel attacks.
The government has so far been unable to control the rebels after a decade of fighting that has claimed about 12,00 lives.
The rebels, who say they are inspired by Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong and want to replace the constitutional monarchy with a socialist state, have intensified violence since calling a halt to their ceasefire last month.
