Nepal Maoist rebels kill 129 people

KATMANDU, Nepal -- Nepal's rebels staged their deadliest assault ever Sunday, killing at least 129 policemen, soldiers and civilians in attacks on a district headquarters and airport in the nation's northwest, officials said. \nThe attacks undermine prospects for peace between the government and rebels fighting to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and create a communist republic. Fighting has claimed 2,400 lives since it began in 1996. \nThe rebels, who previously used knives and muskets, carried out the attacks with modern weapons stolen from the military, state-run Nepal Radio reported. \nPrime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba called an emergency Cabinet meeting late Sunday as he prepared to seek an extension of the state of emergency imposed in November after the rebels ended a four-month cease-fire. The rebels, who draw their inspiration from Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Tse-Tung, had said the peace talks had failed to make any progress. \nDeuba needs the support of two-thirds of the lawmakers in parliament to get the extension. He was appointed prime minister in July, a month after a palace massacre stunned the nation, leaving the previous king and eight other royals dead. \nThe latest assault began shortly after midnight when rebels set fire to buildings in Mangalsen, the headquarters of Achham district, about 375 miles northwest of the capital, Katmandu, the government said. \nThe rebels killed 49 policemen in Mangalsen. Forty-eight Royal Nepalese Army soldiers stationed in the town also died, Defense Ministry spokesman Bhola Silwal said in a news release. \nOther victims included the district's chief administrator, Mohan Singh Khadka; an official with the central intelligence bureau and his wife; a postal worker and an unidentified civilian. \nThe rebels then attacked a small airport in the nearby town of Sanphebaga, killing another 27 policemen standing guard. \nA gunbattle between government forces and the rebels began soon after midnight and lasted until morning Sunday, officials said. Police reinforcements rushed to Mangalsen but were delayed by bad weather and the mountainous terrain. \nOfficials said there could be major casualties on the rebel side as well. They added that fighters were seen taking away the bodies of other guerrillas. \nRadio Nepal said the army had taken control of the area, and security forces were organizing a massive search for the rebels.