Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Written by:
Krishna Prasad Subedi
Project Coordinator
Mine Action and SAplW Surveillance System,
INSEC, Nepal
Mail: krishnas@insec.org.np; subedik@gmail.com
www. inseconline.org; insec.org.np
Chapter
5
ERW, Small and Portable
Lethal Weapons :
Threats and Challenges
1. http://www.icrc.org/eng/war-and-law/weapons/explosive-remnants-war/overview-explosive-remnants-of-war.
html
2. www.clearlandmines.com/landmineProb-Impact.cmf
3. Govt to Outline Defense Policy on Landmines”, Himalayan Times, 3 February 2004.
4. Global Burden of Armed Violence, Geneva Declaration Secretariat, Geneva, 2008 Global Burden of Armed
Violence, Geneva Declaration Secretariat, Geneva, 2008
124 ERW, Small and Portable Lethal Weapons : Threats and Challanges
Figure 2 : Incidents of Explosion & Casualties by Districts, 2010
6 6
5
4
Incidents
3 3
Casualties
2 2 2 2 2 2 22
1 1 1 1 11 11 1 1 11 11 11 11 11
the signing of the Comprehensive Peace children, one woman and five men, were
Accord i.e November 21 and December 31, killed during one incident in Dang, when
2006. The total number of deaths caused villagers were trying to defuse a Bucket
by VAE decreased to 13 and 4 respectively bomb. In addition, two boys were killed
in 2007 and 2008. Although the overall when they were handling EDs that they had
numbers of casualties and incidents has found in a jungle while they were picking
decreased in comparison to the previous mushroom in an area which had been used
years, sixteen people were killed in 2009, as a firing range for the army. Two boys
which was four times the death rate in were also killed in Doti and Kalikot when
2008. Fortunately, there was not a single they were playing with EDs at their homes.
death caused by the 22 incidents of VAE In 2008, two boys were killed in their homes
in 2010. Despite the decrease in incidents while handling a socket bomb which had
and casualties caused by VAE, there is still a been kept in their house during the conflict
prevailing threat of VAE, which has not yet by the cadres of UCPN-M.. A boy was
been solved by the ongoing peace process in killed when he was playing with a socket
Nepal. bomb at his house; police also recovered
Out of the two deaths in 2006 that another unexploded socket bomb from the
were identified after the signing of the same incident site. A woman was killed in
CPA, one boy was killed in the Ramechap the premises of the Army Barrack in Rolpa
district as he was trying to pull the wires district when she stepped on a mine while
from an ED with his teeth. The device had cutting grass. In 2009, out of 16 deaths
been dropped near to his house by Maoist caused by VAE, two persons, a woman and
cadres prior to the incident. In the other a man, were killed after they stepped on a
incident, a Muslim girl was killed in the mine while entering the premises of the
Morang district when she threw the ED security forces for the purpose of collecting
onto the ground. The deceased worked as a grass and wood in the Rolpa and Dang
rag picker and picked up the ED to take for Districts respectively, even though the
metal to sell (scrap metal). Out of 13 deaths perimeter was marked as a ‘prohibited zone’
caused by VAE in 2007, nine people - three . Moreover, two children and one man
126 ERW, Small and Portable Lethal Weapons : Threats and Challanges
Figur 5 : Causes of Explosion, 2010
14
2 2
2
people being killed in the Tarai-Madhes and casualties in three of the districts ( Jumla,
Hilly regions respectively. INSEC’s VAE, Dolpa and Humla) of the Mountain region.
SAPlW surveillance system recorded that Within 12 months of 2010, the
there were 13 incidents caused by most affected districts were
VAEs in the Hill Region and five Table : 1 located in the southern part of
in the Mountain region. From Age the country– the Tarai-Madhes.
Casualties
immediately after the CPA in Group The Tarai has become the more
2006 till 2008, there were more 0-4 1 dangerous place after the signing
casualties in the districts of the 5-18 19 of the CPA. There has been an
hill region but from 2009, the 15-59 20 increase in new armed groups
incidents of VAE is increasing 60+ 1 who have a veil of being political
in the Tarai-Madhes. This is due Total 41 parties, these groups have tended
to the instability caused by the to use IEDs while organizing
armed Tarai outfits that have abandoned violent activities such as extortion, rape,
and dropped EDs in public palaces with the kidnap and murder in the Tarai. Innocent
aim of creating terror in the area. people are caught by the EDs, which are
1.1 Tarai-Madhes More Affected Figure 6 : Casualties due to the SAPLW, 2010
As based on the INSEC’s (VAE
December 52
SAPLW) Surveillance System, there were
November 56
30 casualties in 13 incidents by VAE in
October 111
nine districts of the Tarai-Madhes (Prasa,
September 113
Sunsari, Saptari, Dang, Bara, Rautahat,
August 42
Siraha, Banke and Makwanpur) out of
July 50
the total 17 districts. Parsa district had
June 53
the highest number of incidents (three)
May 43
in which there were 6 casualties. Four
April 36
incidents of VAE were identified in four of
March 32
the districts (Gulmi, Myagdi, Baglung and
February 39
Dailekh) of the Hill Region. Additionally,
January 38
it was identified that there were three
128 ERW, Small and Portable Lethal Weapons : Threats and Challanges
Figure 9 : Casualties by SAplW by Districts, 2010 figure 6. While most of the
bomb were known to be
used by the Maoists during
119
the conflict, nowadays these
bombs are known to be used
by Tarai armed groups. One
incident involving mines in
the Mid-Western region,
37
26 27 where a civilian stepped on
18 18 16 16
7 7
13 13
8 11 13 mine near a Security Force
2 1 5 5 4
base.
The largest number
of casualties – 14 (33%), out
of the total 41 casualties in
they pose. However, the graph clearly 22 incidents, were as a result of the victim
identifies the most affected age group in the playing with an ED, which had been
aforementioned period, are those children dropped or abandoned during the conflict
aged between 10 - 14 years. This is followed or by the armed groups in the Tarai Belt.
by people aged between 25 between 30 The second highest number of casualties
and then between 5 and 9 years. Young resulted from the handling and Tampering
boys from these age groups appear most at of the explosive device (nine persons). Eight
risk, accounting for 49% of all casualties, of these casualties occurred while the victim
while girls from this age group account for was watching or walking near by the persons
29.5% (8). Thus, it can be seen that children who were handling the EDs. Four police
are particularly vulnerable to VAEs. The officers were injured inside the district
majority of child casualties resulted from police office, while cleaning the store room
children handling and tampering with the in Dang district. Two persons were injured
explosive device or intentionally striking and by explosive devices that were intentionally
throwing the device to satisfy their curiosity. exploded. See figure 5.
In addition, children are responsible for Therefore, to minimize the incidents
tending cattle and sheep in many societies. of VAE, efforts need to be made to stop
They often follow their livestock into new the armed groups in Tarai using IEDs to
areas in search of new grazing land and thus achieve their aims. At the same time, the
come across VAEs. removal and destruction of those abandoned
0 Nepal.7
Personal Domestic Political attack Robbery/theft Professional Gang Violence Kidnapping unknown
disputes violence Disputes Prior to assesing
and stored IEDs, from the conflict period, the impact caused by the
must also continue to be prioritized. incidents of SAplW in 2010, the definition
Similarly, efforts should be made for mine of small arms and portable lethal weapons
risk education among children because will be reviewed.
they are naturally more curious and have As mentioned in the Arms and
less knowledge of the risks involved with Ammunition Act, 1962, “Arms” include
handling EDs and are thus more vulnerable the rifle gun, pistol, revolver, mining and
than adults to the dangers these devices grenade, their parts and the machinery
pose. which manufactures such arms. “Machine
Gun” includes brenguns, luis guns, station
2. Small Arms and Portable Lethal machine carbines, tomson machine carbines
Weapons (Saplw) and other similar automatic weapons and
Armed violence corrodes all sectors their parts, the vehicles to be used for
of a society. Armed violence also has a transporting and mounting such machine
rippling effect throughout the society,
creating a climate of fear, distorting
Figure 12 : Weopons Used in Attack, 2010
investment, disrupting markets, and closing
schools, clinics and roads. Armed violence, 320
while affecting all people, affects certain
groups and regions disproportionately. It is
the fourth leading cause of death of persons 163
130 ERW, Small and Portable Lethal Weapons : Threats and Challanges
gun and the machinery which manufactures armed violence. Across cultures, most acts
such machine guns. “Ammunition” includes of violence are committed by men, and men
fugsignal fuses (Dhumika Sanket), gun and boys also account for the majority of fire
powder, caps, the ball of a gun, shells, arms-related deaths and injuries.10 In Nepal,
detonators, cartridges, as well as similar of the 670 casualties resulting from 485
types of explosives and other ammunitions.8 incidents by the illicit use of SAplW during
SAplW is defined as small arms and the 12 months of 2010, 491 men were the
means any lethal weapon that is transported victims. Nine percent of the victims were
or carried by a person, and that expels or children (61) and 18% (118) have been
launches, is designed to expel or launch, reported , in addition 41 women including
or may be readily converted to expel or five girls were killed. In most of the cases,
launch a shot, bullet or projectile by the women have often been the victims of
action of an explosive, excluding antique or domestic violence carried out using SAplW.
replica small arms and light weapons. The See figure 9.
Act also says that small arms are, broadly
speaking, weapons designed for individual 2.1 Tarai Madhes More Affected
use. They are relative cheap, easily portable INSEC’s surveillance system has
and concealable and, in most cases, require recorded armed violence in spread in
minimal maintenance and logistical support 58 of the districts in Nepal but severely
and can therefore be operated relatively affects many of the Tarai-Madhes districts.
easily. They include, inter allia, revolvers According to INSEC’s VAE, SAplW
and self-loading pistols, rifles and carbines, Surveillance System, it has recorded that
sub-machine guns, assault rifles and light 55% (369) of the total number of 670
machine guns. Other portable lethal casualties were documented in the 20
weapons are understood to be weapons that districts of the Tarai-Madhes, whereas
have been designed for individual use. They only 45% (301) of the cases were identified
include, inter alia, knifes, swords, khukuris in the districts of the hill and mountain
and small IEDs. 9 regions. It is found that all the districts of
According to INSEC’s VAE, the Tarai-Madhes belt i.e. Jhapa, Morang,
SAplW Surveillance System, there were 670 Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusa, Mahottari,
casualties including 192 deaths from 485 Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Chitwan,
incidents involving SAplW in 2010. The Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilbastu, Dang,
highest number of casualties was recorded in Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur,
September number 113 and was followed by were affected by incidents involving SAplW.
that in October which was 112. On average, The highest number of casualties was
there were 55.5 casualties in each month of recorded in Morang (119) and followed by
the period. See fig 7 and 8 for details. Surkhet (73 cases), which is a hill district.
Additionally, the third highest number
2.1 Vulnearable Child And Women of casualties (37) was recorded in the
Armed violence affects women, Banke district. In the same way, Bara and
men, girls and boys in different ways, as Dhanusa accounted for 27 and 26 casualties
both the perpetrators and the targets of
11. Surakshya Sudharko Lagi Sahi Bato Samatieko Chaa? Interdisciplinary Analyst and Safer world , Kathmandu, Nepal, 2065
12. Global Burden of Armed Violence, Geneva Declaration ‘secretariat, 2008
132 ERW, Small and Portable Lethal Weapons : Threats and Challanges
Accord (CPA) by the Government of The Unexploded Remnants of war,
Nepal and the CPN (Maoist) in November including Mine, EDs and IEDs, are still
2006, and despite the ‘Agreement on the found by civilians, thus the abandoned
Monitoring of the Management of Arms devices still pose a threat to the people of
and Armies’ (AMMAA), which marked a Nepal. In addition to this, instability in the
clear commitment by both sides to ensure Tarai-Madhes, along with the proliferation
a safe environment for Nepali citizens, of secessionist and criminal armed groups,
free from the threat of Landmines and not only aids in the deteriorating security
Explosive Remnants of War (ERW), environment but also directly challenges the
INSEC’s VAE and SAplW Surveillance progress and success of the peace process in
System recorded that there were 41 Nepal.
casualties from 22 incidents of VAE and The illicit used of small arms
mines in Nepal. Civilians, usually children, and portable weapons is a main security
while walking on the road/path, working challenge for Nepal.16 According to
in the filed or tending cattle and collecting INSEC’s VAE, SAplWs Surveillance
grass, have found the EDs and by virtue System, there were 670 casualties from 485
of their curious nature have examined and incidents involving the use of SAplWs,
played with the devices, which has led to in which 192 persons were killed in 2010.
them being involved in the aforementioned More people of the Tarai-Madhes belt
incidents. As a result, even now the were affected by the illegitimate use of
members of society still fear the explosion SAplW than in other regions. Out of the
of the remnants of war. 670 casualties, 262 were farmers, 113 were
According to the International students, 104 were employees, 71 were
Campaign to Ban Landmine, it is estimated business persons, 60 were unemployed,
that 3.25 Sq km areas are still covered with 30 were politicians, 4 were minors and 26
mines and EDs in Nepal.13 Despite the were unknown persons, these people were
clearance of mine fields and EDs by the the victims of 485 incidents in 2010. The
Nepal Army with support from UNMIN, main causes of casualties (320 persons) were
the total achievement of their objectives attacks by khukuri and knives and followed
has not yet been met.. Only five out of by attacks by swords and sharp knives (163)
53 mine fields were cleaned in 2008. The and fire arms (109). Additionally 40 persons
Nepal Army had only been able to clear were victimized by explosive devices, and
12 minefields in 2009. At the end of the there were 38 casualties where the type of
2010, the Nepali Army has cleared 18 mine weapon used could not be be identified.
fields and 18 minefields still remained to be According to the Nepal Police, 614
cleared.14 It is also reported that during the men and four women were arrested under
clearance of these mine fields over the three the ‘Arms and Ammunition Act, 1962”
years, the Nepal Army destroyed 5,950 and charged with being involved in 417
anti-personnel mines. In addition to these, criminal activities. Furthermore, 70 pistols,
28,273 EDs were also destroyed in seven 8 revolver, 28 rifles, 202 home pistols and
Maoist Cantonments.15 67 home made guns, including 654 bullets,
were confiscated.17
13. International Campaign to Band Land Mine; http://www.the-monitor.org/index.php/ publications/ display?act=submit&pqs_
year =2009&pqs_type=lm&pqs_report=nepal
14. Nepal Army : Humanitarian Demining Operation; http://www.nepalarmy.mil.np/demining.php
15. http://www.unmin.org.np/?d=activities&p=mine
16. Presentation by SSP Ramesh Phunyal-Nepal Police in SA&plW meeting, Kathmandu, 2010
17. Presentation by SSP Ramesh Phunyal-Nepal Police in SA&plW meeting, Kathmandu, 2010
18. Nepal Working Group on Small Arms and Other Portable Lethal Weapons-Terms of References
134 ERW, Small and Portable Lethal Weapons : Threats and Challanges