2004 Nepal riots

Series of riots in Nepal August 2021 2004 Nepal riots 31 August 2004 Various places in Nepal Nepal hostage crisis Rioting, looting, arson, assault Mosques, homes, vehicles destroyed National day of mourning observed At least 2 people2 September 2004 Two killed in Kathmandu Valley Kantipur Online http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=16721 dead 2 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20040902023310/http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=16721 2 September 2004 The 2004 Nepal riots were a series of riots between 31 August to 6 September 2004. Thousands of people rioted in cities and towns across Nepal, which saw looting, arson, as well as imposed curfew and the deaths of two people. The protests started in Kathmandu, Nepal, following the Nepal hostage crisis. On 19 August 2004, twelve Nepalis were kidnapped in Iraq by Jamaat Ansar al-Sunna, and on 31 August, it was confirmed that the twelve Nepalis were murdered. Several violent clashes with police followed the crisis, along with vandalism of Kantipur Publications, Kantipur Television, Space Time Network, and Channel Nepal. The Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies was reported to have lost about billions of Nepali Rupees (NPR), and various companies also lost about 750 million NPR in damages. Background Nepal hostage crisis On 19 August 2004, the Jamaat Ansar al-Sunna website posted that they had taken twelve Nepalis hostage in Iraq and the group did not mention any demands nor gave any schedule for negotiations.1 September, 2004 http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=1872 live 29 July 2021 Nepali Times 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729142200/http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=1872 The next day, the website showed a video of the Nepalis begging for their lives and they blamed, Pralhad Giri of Moonlight Consultants, for their abduction; the media was aired by various Nepali channels. On 23 August, the Government of Nepal made a plead via the Al Jazeera television channel, however, Nepali diplomats were unable to contact the kidnappers. The Nepali government also wrote to the Iraqi government, nevertheless, on 31 August at 6 pm, television channels broadcast pictures of the dead bodies of 12 Nepalis. This was later confirmed by the Qatari Government. Riots The first demonstrations began shortly after television channels broadcast pictures of the dead bodies. At 6 pm, 20 people showed up at Maitidevi, Kathmandu, and they started to knock down signs of "labour recruitment agencies". Later at Ghanta Ghar, the protester threw rocks at a mosque, later the rioters grew more than 150 people.Shrestha Deepesh Das 8 September 2004 Country in doldrums Kantipur Online http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?catid=fet&nid=16924 dead 2 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20040908103502/http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?catid=fet&nid=16924 8 September 2004 On 1 September, rioters appeared in various areas including, Kathmandu, and Lalitpur. The same day at 7:30 am, about 100 people shouted a rallying cry against "Islamic terrorists" and threw rocks at a mosque near Ghanta Ghar, and some protesters climbed to the roof, but, deployed police force took control of the place. The rioters also targeted Kantipur Publications, Kantipur Television, Space Time Network, and Channel Nepal; their employees were harassed, attacked by rocks, and their vehicles were burned.Refworld Attacks on the Press in 2004 – Nepal https://www.refworld.org/docid/47c566e7c.html live 29 July 2021 Refworld en 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729133903/https://www.refworld.org/docid/47c566e7c.html Jame Masjid in Kathmandu was tried to set on fire however this was intervened by the police.Protesters stone Nepal mosque after Iraq killings https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-09/01/content_370800.htm live https://web.archive.org/web/20210729132841/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-09/01/content_370800.htm 29 July 2021 31 July 2021 China Daily More than hundreds of copies of the Koran, an Islamic holy book, were "thrown on to the street and burnt".3 September 2004 Nepal: Himalayan Tranquillity Shattered By Religious Violence http://www.ipsnews.net/2004/09/nepal-himalayan-tranquillity-shattered-by-religious-violence/ live 29 July 2021 Inter Press Service 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729164805/http://www.ipsnews.net/2004/09/nepal-himalayan-tranquillity-shattered-by-religious-violence/ International airlines from Islamic countries were also vandalised, including Qatar Airways, Saudia, Kuwait Airways, and Pakistan International Airlines.Adhikary Dhruba Rohde David 2 September 2004 Nepalese Attack a Mosque and Muslims in Katmandu en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/02/world/asia/nepalese-attack-a-mosque-and-muslims-in-katmandu.html 31 July 2021 0362-4331 31 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210731123338/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/02/world/asia/nepalese-attack-a-mosque-and-muslims-in-katmandu.html live At noon, the government announced it would impose a curfew around the Ring Road, Butwal, and Birtamod from 2:00 pm.12 September 2004 Shame http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/nation/pdf/Nation_021.pdf Nation Weekly 21 14–16 Digital Himalaya 31 July 2021 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729133833/http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/nation/pdf/Nation_021.pdf live1 September 2004 Indefinite curfew imposed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur Kantipur Online http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=16713 dead 2 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20040902023121/http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=16713 2 September 2004 At 1 pm, the protestors clash with the security guards near the Egyptian Embassy, Pulchok, and one is killed and three injured after they open fire.2 September 2004 One dies in Nepal protest against Iraq killings https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/one-dies-in-nepal-protest-against-iraq-killings-20040902-gdjo0i.html 29 July 2021 The Sydney Morning Herald en 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729164741/https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/one-dies-in-nepal-protest-against-iraq-killings-20040902-gdjo0i.html live Half an hour later, near Ratna Park, three people were injured and one later dies at the hospital. The riots cool down after the curfew was deployed at 2 pm. It was estimated that there were more than 20,000 rioters on 1 September. Areas outside of the capital saw huge protests including in Birtamod, and Butwal.Enter the monster- Nepali Times http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=2208 31 July 2021 archive.nepalitimes.com 31 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210731114618/http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=2208 live On 2 September, Home Ministry reported that the situation was under control.2 September 2004 Widespread protests in Nepal over killings 2 killed in firing; curfew in Butawal https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040903/world.htm#3 live 29 July 2021 The Tribune 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729170052/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040903/world.htm#3 On 4 September, the curfew was eased and many people were seen outside shopping for food and essential goods.4 September 2004 Nepal urges citizens to quit Iraq en-GB BBC https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3627952.stm 31 July 2021 31 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210731120221/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3627952.stm live The curfew was officially ended on Monday, 6 September.5 September 2004 Curfew to be lifted from Kathmandu, Lalitpur on Monday Kantipur Online http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=16840 dead 2 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20040906104025/http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=16840 6 September 2004 Effects The Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies was criticised and vandalized by rioters for failing to "protect hundreds of manpower agencies during the rampage". It was estimated that vandalism cost them billions of Nepali rupees as the protesters destroyed more than 300,000 passports "deposited with manpower agencies". The company told the government that they would not send anyone aboard for work until the government provides them with compensation and guaranteed the security of its employees. International airlines including Qatar Airways, Pakistan International Airlines, and Air Sahara stopped their flights to Kathmandu due to riots.3 September 2004 Nepal hostage body found in Iraq en-GB BBC https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3623608.stm live 31 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210731120220/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3623608.stm 31 July 2021 Nepali Times estimated that various companies lost 750 million Nepalese rupees (NPR) in damages.All in a day's work http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=12408 live 2 August 2021 Nepali Times 2 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210802122946/http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=12408 Reactions King Gyanendra and Queen Komal expressed their "condolences to the family and relatives of the people killed by Iraqi militants".12 September 2004 Shame http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/nation/pdf/Nation_021.pdf Nation Weekly 21 14–16 Digital Himalaya 31 July 2021 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729133833/http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/nation/pdf/Nation_021.pdf live It was reported that they were "shocked and grieved" by the cruel acts made by Jamaat Ansar al-Sunna. On 1 September, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba gave a nationwide speech on Radio Nepal and he called for "restraint".1 September 2004 Appeal for calm after Nepal riots en-GB BBC https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3616712.stm 29 July 2021 29 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210729130703/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3616712.stm live Deuba stated he would also provide 1 million Nepalese rupees to victims' family, and proclaimed 2 September to be a national day of mourning. It was also condemned by Indian Prime Minister: Manmohan Singh, United States Secretary of State: Colin Powell, Minister of External Affairs: Natwar Singh, Jack Straw, Pope John Paul II, governments of Bangladesh and Japan. The Kathmandu Post called the militants "terrorists who have camouflaged themselves in the masks of Islam". See also Foreign hostages in Iraq References Category:2004 in Nepal Category:Law enforcement in Nepal Category:2004 riots Category:Riots and civil disorder in Nepal Category:Anti-Muslim riots Nepal Nepal Category:Iraq–Nepal relations Category:Reactions to the Iraq War Category:Looting in Asia Category:Mosque arson in Asia Category:Ethnic riots Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2004 Category:Attacks on mosques in the 2000s Category:Arson in 2004 Category:2004 fires in Asia