Nepal 2008 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety

South / Central Asia - Nepal
20 Feb 2008

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Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The residential crime environment in Katmandu is rated high. Crime in the Katmandu Valley, including violent crime and harassment of women, has increased since April 2006 when the “People’s Movement” prompted the restoration of democracy in Nepal. Robberies and burglaries involving foreigners have been on the rise and presently remain consistent with that trend. Minor street crime, such as pick pocketing and bag snatching, continues to frequently occur in areas of Katmandu and other cities frequented by foreigners. 

Travel within cities and towns after dark should not be undertaken alone. State Department travel warnings remain concerned about the security situation in Nepal and urges American citizens contemplating a visit to Nepal to obtain updated security information before they travel. Also, travelers must be prepared to change their plans at short notice. Trekking and other activities outside the Katmandu Valley can be dangerous at times as extortion from trekkers by Maoists continues to occur on many popular trekking routes. There have been reports of Americans and other foreigners having being physically assaulted by Maoists.

Political Violence

Nepal continues to experience sporadic incidents of terrorism and politically-motivated violence in major urban areas. Although Maoist violence has been directed largely toward Nepalese targets, harassment or the threat of violence has also been directed at local Americans. On September 2, 2007, near-simultaneous blasts at three locations in Katmandu killed three persons and injured scores of commuters and bystanders, many of them seriously. Despite the signing of the November 21, 2006, Comprehensive Peace Agreement by the Government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists), and the insurgents’ entry into an interim government, Maoists continue to engage in violence, extortion, and abductions. The Young Communist League, a Maoist subgroup, continues to extort and abuse people, including threatening Katmandu-based personnel of a U.S. Non-governmental Organization (NGO). In November 2006, numerous resident American citizens reported to the U.S. Embassy first-hand accounts of Maoist cadres demanding food and lodging, often accompanied by threats of physical violence. The Maoists continue to be a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

Post Specific Concerns

Seismologists have rated Katmandu as the capital city most at risk in the world for a major earthquake. Experts predict that within the next ten years an earthquake, which could be as high as eight on the Richter scale, will strike the Katmandu valley. A large quake will likely destroy most infrastructure and many buildings in the Katmandu Valley. Current emergency services continue to not be equipped to deal with a crisis of this magnitude resulting in the probability of hundred of thousands of casualties. On October 29, 2007, a strong earthquake struck the Katmandu Valley in central Nepal. The earthquake, which registered a 5.0 on the Richter scale, did not cause extensive damage in the capital, but some panic in various regions was reported. 

Maoists have continued to aggressively extort foreign and local businesses, and several U.S. business interests have been attacked in the past. Also, since the 2006 peace agreement many other groups in the Terai region have replaced the Maoists but continue to use tactics (extortions, kidnappings, violence) once used by the Maoists. Although Nepal is neither a significant producer of, nor a major transit route for, narcotic drugs, domestically produced cannabis, hashish and heroin are trafficked to and through Nepal every year. An increase in the number of Nepalese couriers apprehended by the police in 2007 suggests that the Nepalese are becoming more involved in trafficking. Nepal’s Narcotics Drug Control Law Enforcement Unit (NDCLEU) has developed an intelligence wing, but its effectiveness remains constrained by limited human resources and technological equipment. From January to September of 2007, police arrested 78 foreigners on drug trafficking charges more than all of 2006. 

Police Response

Local police cannot be counted on to respond in a timely fashion to calls for help. Nepalese Police agencies lack adequate transportation, training, equipment, and training to carry out their mission. U.S. Embassy Katmandu recommend’s that crime victims first contact the Embassy’s Consular Section, American Citizen Services, for guidance on how to inform the police.

Medical Emergencies

Medical care is limited and not up to American standards. Serious illnesses and injuries often require evacuation to medical facilities in Singapore or Bangkok. U.S. Embassy Kathnandu recommends contacting the Embassy’s Consular Section first for guidance before using local medical services. Information on medical providers and other important information for American citizens can be found on the Embassy’s website (http://nepal. usembassy.gov).

Travel Precautions

In many cases, crimes in Nepal are crimes of opportunity. American citizens walking alone in Katmandu after dark, or trekking alone in areas outside the Katmandu Valley, have often become victims of crime. On November 19, 2007, an American citizen was beaten and robbed in the Thamel neighborhood of Katmandu, suffering head and arm injuries. The incident took place at night and the victim was walking alone. In order to protect oneself it is best to travel in groups. Prior to trekking, consult with the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section for the latest information and details for itinerary registration, including a new Government of Nepal requirement that trekkers obtain permits before commencing the trek.

Further Information
 
The Regional Security Officer, Embassy Operator, Medical Unit, Consular Affairs, Political/Economic Section, and Marine Post One for the United States Embassy Kathmandu can all be reached at 977-1 -400-7200. The U.S. Embassy website is http://nepal.usembassy.gov. 

OSAC Country Council 

There is a OSAC Country Council in Nepal.  Please visit www.osac.gov for further information.