This is also relevant. Talks about a way to reduce highway accidents. ******************************** Press Release, Himsa Birodh Abhiyan, 15 October 2004 Group Protests the use of Landmines on Highways The Himsa Birodh Abhiyan in a statement today asked the Maoist leadership and activists to desist from placing landmines on roads and highways of the country. The group was making this appeal at a time when Nepali citizens all over are using the highways to head back home to their families during the Dasain festival. The group states further: Travel along roads and highways has become a hazardous and fearful activity due to the placement of landmines, said to be targeted at the security forces but which in fact kill and maim ordinary citizens. Such an inhumane activity not only destroys lives and property but also terrorises the larger population. The Maoist use of landmines in highways and roads affects the fundamental right of the people to use public spaces. Further, it is in blatant violation of international humanitarian law. The danger to citizens escalates when security personnel use public transport in order to protect themselves in highways that might be mined. This was contributory to the incidents, for example, in Dhankhola of Dang District and Mainapokhari of Dolakha District. It is difficult for passengers to tell soldiers and policemen not to board a bus, and so they have to live with the danger. Dasain has begun with the day of Ghatasthapana, and the Tihar and Chhat festivals are just around the corner. These cultural and religious celebrations are times of family reunion and camaraderie amidst communities. Migrant workers return home, women and children go to their parental and grand- parental homes, and all over the country there is a sense of happiness and renewal. Tragically, the mining of roads keeps the citizens of Nepal from celebrating their cultural rights in this manner. We ask all concerned to restore the right of the Nepali people to walk the highways, roads and trails without fear of landmine attacks. The Maoists must immediately end their practice of placing explosive on roads and public spaces. Likewise, it is inappropriate for the security forces to use public transport vehicles, other than for the express purpose of providing security to the passengers within. Contact at the Himsa Birodh Abhiyan: Kedar Sharma - 5545888, Kanak Mani Dixit - 5521055, Kiran Krishna Shrestha - 5542646, Bhusan Dahal - +36661, Nakimuddin - +20081