India: 39 Elite Police killed in Maoist attack

These articles originally appeared in The Times of India.

39 ‘elite’ Andhra-Orissa cops feared killed in Naxal attack
30 Jun 2008, 0228 hrs IST,TNN

VISAKHAPATNAM/HYDERABAD: Maoists struck a vicious blow on Sunday, launching a rocket attack on a 64-member joint Andhra Pradesh-Orissa police party — which included the elite Greyhounds — deep in the Vishakapatnam agency area close to the Orissa border.

The cops were returning on two launches on the Sileru reservoir along the Andhra-Orissa border when the Maoists fired rockets on them from a hillock in the Bodikuttu area. The incident happened between 10.30am and 11.30am. The boat capsized drowning some cops, while others swam ashore. But the Maoists weren’t done yet: they ambushed the party. Thirty-nine cops are feared killed. Sources in Orissa put the figure at 36.

Koirala steps down

This article originally appeared on Nepal News.

Prime Minister announces his resignation

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala announced his resignation at the meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA), Thursday clearing the decks for the formation of new government.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala coming out of the International Conference Center after addressing the Constituent Assembly where he announced his resignation from the post of PM, Thursday, June 26 08. nepalnews.com/ps
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala coming out of the International Conference…

“Even though I am gone, I hope the politics of understanding and unity will continue,” Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said, addressing the CA.