Maoist Protests Getting Violent: Update No. 213

NEPAL: Maoist Protests Getting Violent: Update No. 213

By Dr. S.Chandrasekharan.

Unlike the earlier two phases, the current third phase of the Maoist agitation for "civilian supremacy" is getting increasingly violent.

Despite many meetings by the representatives of the three major parties, no consensus could be achieved and the Maoists therefore went ahead with their nation wide strike beginning from the 20^th of this month.

The Prime Minister who returned from Copenhagen on 20^th warned that the strike by the Maoists would invite confrontation. No body has taken him seriously. If Prime Minister Madhav Nepal had understood the seriousness of the situation when the Maoists were planning to "gherao" the country’s administrative centre- the "Singha Durbar" on the 12th, he should not have left for Copenhagen at all. Instead he took of a big sized delegation including his three advisers, ministers and many secretaries for this overseas jaunt.

This is not to belittle the dangers that Nepal faces due to global warming. But the PM should have realised his priorities particularly when many observers feel that Nepal is "teetering" towards disintegration. A smaller delegation with competent members ( Nepal is not wanting in such brilliant people) could have gone and the PM could have stayed on in the country.

As expected, on 12^th of December, the Maoists assembled over 5000 cadres to block the Singha Durbar and other offices. All the gates of the Singha Durbar were blocked with each group being led by a senior member of the party. Prachanda himself was present to lead the agitation in one of the gates. All senior leaders were present in one gate or other.

It was in the southern gate that the Maoists agitators clashed with Police resulting in injury to over 60 persons. Many senior leaders including K.B.Mahara and the PLA Deputy Barsha Man Pun ( Ananth) were said to have been injured.

Dr. Baburam Bhattarai claimed that it was not their intention to capture the Singha Durbar but to prevent the Ministers from entering the Government Secretariat. If so, why did the leaders and the cadres in the southern gate get violent?

How does one believe them? The Maoist leadership had announced that as part of the third phase, a three-day programme of nation wide agitation will be conducted and it was specifically declared that the agitation will be peaceful.

Judging by what happened on the first day- the 20^th December, the agitation was far from peaceful. In the valley, in one place alone at Puthlisadakh, a dozen vehicles were torched. Police had to use batons, tear gas and even water canons to control the crowds, but could not succeed at many places. In areas of New Baneshwor, Gaushala ( near Pasupathi temple area), Puthlisadkh and Bagh Bazar, the protestors turned violent and there was tension throughout the day in the city.

Details of clashes outside the valley are slowly coming in. There were reports of clashes with the Police and injury to many in Siraha, Saptari, Hetauda and Baglung.

The entire country was brought to a standstill. All industries, market places, educational institutions and transportation had come to a halt.

At the end of the first day, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai as Chairman of the UNPM ( United National People’s Movement) announced that the first day’s agitation was fairly successful despite incidents of clashes!

On the second day- that is today, the nation continues to be crippled. Since Kathmandu valley has been most affected, reinforcements of Police have been brought in but this will make other parts of the country more vulnerable.

Unilateral declaration of 12 Autonomous States so far.

With the declaration of Magarat and Tamuvan autonomous States, the number of states so declared by the Maoists would come to 12. While maintaining still that the declaration of States was for political publicity to "orient the people towards federalism and enhance their awareness to the States," Prachanda personally declared the New Newa province in the capital. ( though Newars dominate, the Newars are not in a majority in the capital)

On the other hand, Dr. Bhattarai in answering a question to Press on whether they intend running a parallel government declared that they (the Maoists) are the state and that the present government is running a parallel administration to that of the Maoists! What a twist to the programme!

There is no doubt that the agitation of the Maoists is getting out of hand. They are getting bolder and more aggressive and given their contradictory and confusing statements and actions one cannot make out as to what they are up to,

It is not that difficult for the three mainstream parties to come to an understanding. A "neutral statement" could be passed on the civilian supremacy and an amendment to the interim constitution could also be made delineating the powers of the President and the Prime Minister. But the sticking point will be on the demand of the Maoists to lead the government once again.

Discharge Plan for Disqualified PLA Combatants:

One silver lining in the last week’ developments was the "discharge plan" agreed to between the UNMIN and the Maoists (UCPN-M). According to the agreement over 3000 disqualified combatants will be discharged from December 27^th and the discharge will be completed in 40 days. Those discharged will be eligible to choose a rehabilitation package that include educational support, training in micro and small enterprises development and vocational skills within one year of their discharge. The UN Peace Fund will pay for the implementation of the ‘Action Plan’. This is worth the effort and money before these disqualified persons join the notorious YCL!