Dozens feared dead in Nepal violence

It is six years since the Maoist uprising

By the BBC's Daniel Lak in Kathmandu

Reports are coming in of a big attack in a remote part of western Nepal where there was fighting between Maoist guerrillas and the security forces.

Initial reports of a large number of casualties on the government side cannot be officially confirmed.

The Maoists have been fighting to overthrow Nepal's parliamentary government and constitutional monarchy for six years and the attack could be designed to mark the anniversary of the beginning of their uprising.

Nepal's King Gyanendra declared a state of emergency last November after a devastating series of rebel attacks and the army has been fighting the Maoists ever since then.

Nearly 3,000 people have died in the violence since February of 1996.

'Serious incident'

Little is confirmed yet about the attack in the remote western district of Achham, but officials believe the incident was very serious.

A military offensive has been under way since November

It is thought that Maoist insurgents attacked government installations, including the airport, in and around the main district town.

Fighting is said to have gone on overnight and well into Sunday morning.

News agency reports say more army personnel were being sent to the area.

This attack and others in recent days are a big challenge to the authorities in their efforts since November to put down the Maoist rebellion by force.

Political problems

A state of emergency was declared late last year after rebels killed dozens of police officers and a number of soldiers in coordinated attacks across the country.

Since then the army has had many encounters with the insurgents and official news releases suggested that the security forces were gaining the upper hand, killing or arresting many rebels.

The state of emergency is due to be renewed by the Nepalese parliament later this week.

Even before this latest attack the government's success in getting parliamentary approval was far from guaranteed.

Political problems in Kathmandu will make it more difficult for any attempt to deal with the insurgency, whether political or military.

For now, the details of the attack need to be confirmed before the specific implications can be considered for national security and the stability of the government.

It is clear though that more difficult days lie ahead for the Nepalese people and the future is bleakly uncertain, at best.