Maoist insurgents bomb and vandalize Christian school in Nepal

Birganj, Nepal – Nepal seem to be embroiled in communal trouble as the Maoist insurgents attacked a Christian school in Gorkha, a major town in Nepal located some 150 kms. west of capital Kathmandu, for the second time within this year.

The armed insurgents bombed the St. Joseph School recently, causing extensive damage to the building and shattering window–panes. This nine–year–old school seem to be the target of this Maoist faction lately and it was attacked last year too.

According to diocesan Father Denish D’Souza, the school principal, the bomb destroyed the school building, furniture, educational materials and about 14 computers meant for imparting computer education. The rebels also took away a few computers. The school has been closed down since.

But this attack is not the first of its kind. In 2002, a girls’ school run by the Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary had suffered Maoist vandalism and several Church leaders had strongly condemned this attack made against defenceless and innocent people.