The Reality Story of Maoist in Nepal

These people have gathered in a jungle at midnight with arms. You might be surprised to know that they are in a middle of a long journey. Combat dress, red ribbons round forehead, badges marking their rank and weapon on their shoulder have become a part of their identity. Most of their activities are carried out during darkness of the night. It appears as if they are preparing for a major hunt. But speculations go wrong as far as these people are concerned. They are in course of what they call the people’s war. And even their violence has a purpose, at least from their viewpoint. Daily rigorous training, revolutionary slogans and speeches have changed their perspective towards life and become their characteristics. Sacrificing themselves in the so called people’s war has become their sole motto. While confronting the security forces during encounters, they are in such a state of fearlessness and determination that they start firing almost mechanically. And in this the women are more ruthless than their male comrades. Killing or getting killed is just a part of a game. This game has been played umpteen times already now. And with every further death, the fruits of the peoples’ war become even darker and more distant. The Maoists want to get to the power with these phase wise attack on the security forces. In March 2004, they attacked all the security camps in Beni of Myagdi district. For the attack, they had prepared for months. Maoist commander Pasang, in an address to his guerrillas before the attack, had said that they must win the war even if they lose eighty percent of their comrades. No wonder, they were successful in seizing the camps of security forces even after huge casualty on their own side. After the attack, the beautiful town of Beni Ghat turned into a graveyard. Even now evidence of war can be found there. Similarly, in their last attack on Pili of Kalikot, they used the same strategy to kill or get killed. The Maoists seized the Pili Base camp, which had three hundred security men in March this year. Apparently, they had used advanced modern weapons in the attack. Both sides had to suffer casualty of more than hundred lives each. After drawing flak at the international and national levels, Maoists have tried to show some respect for human rights. To show that they actually follow Geneva convention, they released sixty security personnel who were abducted during the Pili attack. The violent conflict in Nepal has already seen over ten years now. More than thirteen thousand lives have already been lost due to the conflict. The Maoists have achieved success in a way, with one and a half dozen successful attacks out of their two-dozen attempts. The armed conflict has not only claimed the security personnel and Maoist guerrillas, but a lot of innocent civilians have been killed. Right from the beginning, the Maoists have been targeting teachers, social workers, and party cadres of different political faiths. Most of them were killed under the accusation of spying for the government. Meanwhile, security personnel have killed people during the so called encounters. And the trend has increased after the Royal move of February the 1st. Not only women and children, but journalists and human rights activist have become victims in such incidents. According to human rights group INSEC, thirteen journalists have lost their lives during this period. Both the state and the Maoists seem equally responsible in killing the journalists. Whether it is the case of Gyanendra Thapa of Sindhupalchowk or Dekendra Thapa of Dailekh, Maoists have not been able to answer how the journalists disturbed their work. Maheshwor Pahadi succumbed to death after remaining in custody of security forces for a year. The government came up with an excuse that he had been suffering from H-I-V/AIDS. What can be worse on the part of a state, which cannot even guarantee a human life? The government has indulged in killing journalists blaming them to be in close links with the Maoist whereas Maoists have slaughtered journalists on charges of being informants. RNA has gone to the extent of calling the journalists and human rights activists as the aggravators of conflict. BiteâÂ?¦ Deepak Gurung In the beginning of the armed conflict, only police were targeted by the Maoists. But after the Maoists attacked the Dang Base camp in October 2001, RNA has been leading the security force against the Maoists. Armed police force was established basically to deal with this problem. Different national and international organizations have been expressing concern over the growing human rights violations by the army. BiteâÂ?¦. Ian Martin Despite the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Maoists in September, the government didn’t reciprocate at all and continued with its armed activities. It has dashed any hopes of Maoists coming into mainstream politics and laying down their arms. Moreover, the government has declared elections, which hardly addresses the rebels. BiteâÂ?¦ Ram Bahadur Badal With the continuation of the armed conflict, while the death toll has increased, both the Maoists and the government are far away from realizing their objectives. Can the Maoists capture power through the gun? The Maoist Supremo Prachanda himself may not have an answer. Even if they get to the power, what can they give the people? The people would like to question that. The villages have been rampaged in the war. Women and children have not been spared. The shadows of violence can be seen on their innocent faces. The campaign of the security forces to counter terrorism has already taken a lot of lives. What kind of peace are they looking for? Lifeless peace? At a time where human rights situation in Nepal is grave, international mediation seems necessary by each passing day.