What follows is from a friend whose pasal + godown were destroyed last Wednesday by the rioters on Kantipath (near the Qatar Airways building).

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Dear Sir/Madam:

I am sure you are aware of the unprecedented incident that took place on September 1, 2004 -- destruction and vandalism in various part of Kathmandu by unidentified mobs.

During the same incident, our retail store and godown, [ ] located in Siddhi Bhawan, Kantipath was completely looted and burnt down to ashes by the unruly crowd that attacked Qatar Airways and a dozen other establishments in Siddhi Bhawan.

I was personally present at the site from the beginning to the end of the incident, and it was quite impossible for me to have done anything to counter the violent activities of the huge crowd, their attitude and their premeditated plan of looting.

I say "premeditated plan" because I saw with my own eyes some members of the crowd breaking open the locks with steel crowbars they had carried with them. The violence continued unhindered for five hours (from 9 am to 2 pm) -- which is sufficient time to fly in security forces from neighboring countries if required.

The fact, however, remains that we received no help from the government security forces despite continuous SOS calls. The fire brigades only arrived after the curfew was clamped at 2 pm, by which time the whole building was ablaze and nothing was left to be salvaged.

The government has now formed a high-level investigation committee to assess the damage caused by the riots.

By way of this letter, I am requesting your kind favor in mobilizing your contacts to lobby with the committee members and tell them that justice needs to be done and appropriate compensation needs to be given to the victims.

I will forever remain indebted to you for your assistance.

Sincerely,


__________________

Siddhi Bhawan, Kantipath

Members of the High-Level Investigation Committee:
1. Top Bahadur Singh, Former Justice of the Supreme Court
2. Narendra Pathak, Deputy Attorney General
3. Dr. Govinda B. Thapa, Additional Inspector General of Police
4. Shree Purush Dhakal, Additional Chief of National Investigation Department
5. Shushil Shumsher J.B. Rana, Joint Secretary of Home Ministry
6. A Representative of the Civil Society to be appointed by the Home Minster

Ashu,

I really really see the business investment opportunity in KTM particulary in private property insurance sector.

So far, whatever damaged has done in terms of private businessess, none of them had spend a paisa to proctect their assest. Therefore, there wouldn't be compensated (.) Period

Premeditated plan, now isn't that something!

Last time someone put a pic in sajha, where ppl where having so much fun burning the tires that one wonders if they even know the symbolism of burning it, or the real reason for burning it.

Its sad how the countries is falling to the dogs.

Forwarded email:
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The following is a summary of the press highlights this morning:

Nepal Samacharpatra, Rajdhani, Annapurna Post and The Himalayan Times reported that the Maoist All Nepal Trade Union Federation (revolutionary) has threatened to close down the following businesses from the 10th of September. This is an additional list to the 12 companies which are already closed and reportedly there is no indication of when they are likely to open again.

1. Himalaya Goodricke Tea Garden, Jhapa

2. Fishtail Lodge, Pokhara

3. Malla Hotel, Kathmandu

4. Hotel Tiger Top, Chitwan

5. Surya Nepal Garments, Morang

6. Bhotekoshi Power Company

7. Mayos Noodles Industry (of Khetan Group), Banepa

8. Himal Gas, Banepa

9. Dabur Nepal Limited, Banepa

10. Amarawati International Pvt. Ltd, Kamaladi Kathmandu

11. Gorkha Lorry Pvt. Ltd.

12. Himal International Power Company Pvt. Ltd

13. Sipradi Trading, all businesses across the country

14. Shipping Nepal Pvt. Ltd

15. LG TV (of Chaudary Group)

16. Agni Transportation Pvt. Ltd (Bus service)

17. Sitaram Dairy Milk, Chovar (Kedia Group)

18. Tilganga Transportation Service, Kathmandu

19. Wai Wai Noodles, Lalitpur and Chitwan

20. Harisiddi Brick Factory, all businesses in Lalitpur

21. NB Group, all its businesses

22. Lekali and Sathi Noodles Industries

23. Tubels Village Resort, Banke

24. Ganga Laxmi Resin and Turpentine Company, Banke

25. Hotel Binayak, Banke

26. Bhrikuti Pulps and Paper Pvt. Ltd, Nawalparasi

27. Gangaram Chaudhary Industry Pvt. Ltd, Nawalparasi

28. Jyoti Group and Himal Group, all businesses in Nawalparasi

29. Basuling Sugar Mill, Kailali

30. Panorama Manpower Company, Lazimpat, Kathmandu

31. Koshi Metal Crafts, Morang

32. Ashok Textile, Morang

33. Baba Jute Mill, Morang

34. Soktim Tea Garden, Illam and all its dealers

35. Numanit Pvt. Ltd, Nawalparasi