Nepal PM urges emergency extension

The remains of a government building after the rebel attacks

Nepal's prime minister has warned that a Maoist rebellion could drag on for years if parliament does not approve an extension of the country's state of emergency.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's warning followed the rebels' most devastating attacks ever in which more than 130 people were killed in two simultaneous attacks in western Nepal.

The government has ordered its security forces to redouble their efforts to crush the country's Maoist rebels.

But Mr Deuba faced heavy criticism of his security policy from parliament, which went into a rare evening debate on Monday.

There were rowdy scenes as angry MPs demanded an explanation from the government of how the attack could have happened.

Call for unity

The victims of the weekend raids on two towns in the remote district of Achham included police officers, soldiers and local government officials.

Local reports said there had also been casualties among the rebels.

The army is said to be angered by the attack

The opposition now says the military offensive launched following the declaration of the state of emergency has not been effective enough.

But the prime minister called on all parties to unite against terrorism and extend the state of emergency, a move planned before the weekend attacks.

"If it is not endorsed, it will have a more adverse impact on the country and the operation against the rebels," Mr Deuba was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying.

"The Maoist problem could be prolonged for several years and take an even more serious turn if parliament does not approve it."

Angry deputies earlier refused to let the home minister speak, jostling each other and shouting.

But the BBC's Daniel Lak said the prime minister's address seemed to calm tensions for the moment.

New instructions

Earlier, Communications and Information Minister Jayprakash Prasad Gupta said the government had ordered "immediate offensive and defensive operations against the Maoists".

The scale and ferocity of the attacks go beyond anything the rebels have carried out previously in six years of conflict.

The Maoists, who are seeking to overthrow Nepal's constitutional monarchy, mounted attacks on an airport, government buildings, a military barracks and an armoury. Buildings were blown up and banks looted.

PM Deuba is facing dissent

Gun battles between rebels and the security forces went on for many hours from midnight until well after dawn on Sunday.

The rebels, who also reportedly suffered heavy casualties, appear to have been armed with modern weapons looted from the military during a previous attack.

Our correspondent says questions are bound to be asked about how the rebels were able to exact such a devastating toll three months into the military campaign against them

He adds Mr Deuba is even facing dissent within his own party, but should be able to muster the needed two-thirds majority for the extension.

It is clear that the authorities will have to intensify their fight against the Maoists if civilians, particularly those in the countryside, are to feel safe again.

But even if they do this, our correspondent says the prime minister may find himself battling for his political life as dissidents from within his own party question his leadership.

The Maoists have been fighting for a communist republic in Nepal since 1996, and the insurgency has claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people.