Decommissioning Dilemma of the Maoist in Nepal

The violent terror campaign perpetrated by Maoists with the aim of establishing a totalitarian communist regime in Nepal has left almost 15 thousand people dead over a period of eleven years.

Although Nepalese people have forgotten all those heinous crimes and brutality of Maoist for the sake of peace the terrorizing attitude of the Maoist remains unchanged on the ground. The Maoist cadres have been threatening business houses and people to give donations and also warning of dire consequences if they failed to comply with their orders. Despite the Maoist leader's positive statements killing of the innocent people, extortion in every field of life, kidnapping the opposition and destruction of the society become pervasiveness of Maoist's atrocity.

Even when peace process is ongoing, violation of the 25-point ceasefire code of conduct from the Maoists is frequent. They have been continuing recruitments in their military. For new recruitments in the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the Maoists have set up 'recruitment centre' in all Regional Development Sector. The rebels have also been running a training camp for the new recruits in the area. "The Kathmandu Post" local news paper mentioned that the centre under the one of the Maoists Brigade has already recruited some 450 youths who are being given military and political trainings. Sushil, secretary of the CPN (Maoist) in Morang, has confirmed that the recruitment in the PLA is ongoing. The recruitment centers are being set up on a land forcefully confiscated from the local citizen. According to the source Maoists recently have even recruited a battalion level force from local Newari tribe in the capital itself.

Meanwhile, a member of the Ceasefire Code of Conduct National Monitoring Committee has said "The government has been very weak in maintaining law and order while violation of human rights at the ground level by the Maoists has been common." In spite of these all activities Maoists are threatening that they have plan to launch so called "October Revolution" to seize the complete power of the nation, and declare Nepal as a People's Republic of Nepal.

Had there not been enough pressure primarily given from US, EU, UK and Indian authorities, Maoists would have joined the government by now without decommissioning the rebel their weapons. One must understand the reality that as per the international democratic norms no political party can join the government in conjunction with empowerment of private rebel force.

Once Maoists joins government it is likely that they will have full authority to control every aspect of the government including the security force. In such context they can not have additional rebel force as their own private force. Irrespective of rumors and propaganda Nepalese security forces including Nepal Army are fully abided by the rules and regulations of the country, they are completely under government's control. In this circumstances the Government should not have any fear, resentment or what so ever from its regular National Army i.e. Nepal Army. On top of that army will be kept under continuous supervision of UN or other dependable agencies during the time of constituent assembly election. Visualizing the honest commitment of Nepal Army towards Democracy and the government it is not Nepal Army but the Maoist who are not willing to decommission their weapons and causing a state of confusion and uncertainty in the country.

Most of the Nepalese political leaders are seen with a lack of vision, understanding and key aspects of the national interest. They should have understood the sole purpose of the US stand. James F. Morairty, US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Nepal did not mention any sort of intervention from US or any other external power. He just expressed his view to eliminate fear of weapons to Nepalese people in the course of election for a Constituent Assembly. "The fundamental concern of the time is whether or not the Maoists are ready to lay down arms," he said, adding, "Free and fair elections of constituent assembly cannot be possible until they give up arms."

If the rebel forces are separated from their weapons half of the problem is automatically solved. That will create foundation to resolve the crisis peacefully in the future. In this regard all peace loving Nepali have to thank Mr. Moriorty for his valuable contribution and concern shown to resolve the crisis positively and peacefully.

The Maoists are targeting to destroy all democratic set up in the country and intending to establish their communist set up. Therefore, while dealing with the Maoist, Nepali citizens must simultaneously plan for the future. Democratic force must continue to hold their officials accountable for good governance, ending corruption, and finding the common ground on which they can begin rebuilding what the Maoists are seeking to destroy.

Now, Government of Nepal have asked international donor agency to provide assistance for reconstruction and rebuilding process. Unless and until the appropriate environment is created assistance in reconstruction and economic development is meaningless. Peace is needed to provide the space in which Nepal can diversify its economy, attract foreign investment, and seek sustainable and sound way to tap the potential of its natural resources. The proper decommissioning of the Maoist rebel force and their weapons can only ensure of a favorable environment where upon a rebuilding process of peaceful democratic Nepal is possible.

ENDS

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