Govt., Maoists heading towards conflict

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 29 April: Government and main opposition Maoists are heading towards a confrontation amid lame international concerns.
The so-called international community encouraged and supported such a direct conflict between the royal government and political parties, including Maoists four years ago.
Maoists and seven parties emerged victorious.
But now foreign forces don’t desire such a direct clash with opposing forces now to increase their influence and presence.
Two days remain for parties to resolve the crisis.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal discussed the Maoist strike with his Indian counterpart in the Indian capital Thursday on the sidelines of the 16th SAARC summit.
Reports of the meeting are conflicting with one report saying Singh and the international community supported the beleaguered 11-month government of Nepal while another said Singh urged the Nepali prime minister to work together with Maoists.
Anyway, it’s a disgrace for Nepal to seek foreign support for the continuance of a government at home when Maoists charge the incumbent regime for being a puppet regime.
Twenty-two ruling parties Thursday asked Maoists to call off their mass mobilization and indefinite strike beginning Saturday demanding a national government under its leadership.
Maoists resigned from government 11 months ago without facing parliament as 22 parties united behind Madhav Kumar Nepal following the retention of sacked Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
The coalition partners in government said a democratic government can’t be toppled by street protests and mobilization of people with sticks and khukris.
Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar and Nepali Congress Spokesman Arjun Narsingh KC said after the meeting of parties.
Maoists are mobilizing heir cadre four years after toppling King Gyanendra and the then constitution that promoted constitutional monarchy.
Nepali Congress and UML then joined Maoists in encircling the Valley for government, regime and system change; the two parties now oppose Maoist mobilization.
Seven parties and Maoists toppled the royal regime after a 12-point accord signed in New Delhi and negotiated at Noida in the outskirts of New Delhi where top Maoist leaders were staying under close watch and protection of the government of India.
Maoists have declared their final aim to establish a people’s government by toppling the Madhab government.
They said this as a tradition has been established in the last 20 years to topple governments and shred constitutions through such protests after 1989 and most recently following royal rule four years ago.
Nepal’s transition from monarchy to a republic is proving torturous and difficult.
Surprisingly, UN and western countries that in the past defended the right to peaceful protests are against it now.
A delegation of EU ambassadors and representatives of member states Thursday today asked Chairman Prachanda to withdraw the strike call,
During royal rule, they promoted and defended the right of ‘peaceful’ protests.
An Indian and international effort to topple monarchy and declare a republic by supporting political parties has run into rough weather with people suffering as a result of uncertainty, economic turmoil and an emerging political crisis. .
Maoists asked government not to mobilize all security agencies during the 1 May mass mobilization and ensuing indefinite nation-wide general strike they call the third Jana Andolan to push a national government under its leadership.
They said they have a right to peaceful protest.
Maoists said they will discuss the matter with security agencies.
The request to the government and security agencies to give them free movement during the mobilization as government concluded violence may erupt.
Maoist activists and a lodge owner were arrested at Sundhara Thursday in the capital after police recovered bottles, petrol and cloth, marbles and slings –materials to prepare fire bombs.
Thousands of activists of the main opposition have entered the Valley with sticks, khukris and possibly weapons and explosives to participate in the anti-government protests.
Maoists have targeted urban areas for their anti-government protests they claim is to promulgate a constitution by the 28 May deadline even as major parties differ on fundamentals to be incorporated in a basic law.
Maoists also claim a constitution can be promulgated only under a government headed by them—the largest political party.
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