(August 13, 2012) Security has been stepped up at Assumption Church in the Nepalese
capital, Kathmandu, after the parish priest received a phone call from a Hindu extremist
group threatening attacks against him and the church. A man claiming to be the leader
of the Nepal Defense Army (NDA) telephoned Father Robin Rai on Friday, threatening
further bomb attacks if the Catholic Church did not “help” the NDA. He ended the call
without elaborating what he meant by ”help”. Police, who were immediately informed
about the threat, have cautioned Christians to be extra vigilant and to tighten security
at church-run institutions and services. The NDA, which wants Nepal to return to
being a Hindu state, has conducted several deadly attacks against Christian churches
and Muslim targets over the past few years. In 2009 it launched a bomb attack on Assumption
Church that killed three people, including a 14-year-old girl. It has also attempted
extortion from Christians and Muslims. Fr. Rai said the caller claimed the NDA was
still active, despite the arrest of many of its key members since the 2009 church
bombing. Its former leader, Ram Mainali, was arrested four months after the 2009
attack. Seven other members were picked up as recently as July 23 in raids during
which police found explosives and weapons.