Is force the only answer to rebel movements?

Further heavy casualties in the conflict in Nepal have again focussed attention on the challenge posed by rebel movements to established governments.

Hundreds are said to have been killed in recent clashes between Nepal's security forces and Maoist insurgents.

There's hardly a corner of South Asia which has been unaffected, at some time, by rebel violence - from the separatist conflict in Kashmir, to Sri Lanka.

The demands of the rebel groups vary throughout the region, as do the prospects for peace and the way the established authorities deal with the insurgents.

Is force the only answer to rebel movements? How genuine are the grievances which they capitalise on? Should governments go for an all-out military defeat of the insurgents, or are negotiation and concessions to some of the rebels' demands the only way to achieve peace?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

Our only hope for justice is Maoist

Dipak, Hong Kong

Looking back at the Royal massacre and the government's inability to handle the situation to its people's expectations, it's a clear mandate for the Maoists to fight for justice. Our only hope for justice is Maoist.
Dipak, Hong Kong

No matter what grievances the terrorists claim for their existence, their main objective is to terrorise the people. More than 90% of the time, innocent people lose their lives in these terrorist bombings and suicide attacks and not the people and/or organisations the terrorists claim to be against.
Mohan Viswanathan, India

The Maoists were given a change to negotiate over the table but they used this time to reorganise and rearm their military wing which has proved very costly to the country. Thus the government should not repeat the same mistake and talk with the rebels.
Raghu Shrestha, Perth, Australia

The Maoists have capitalised on the poverty and discrimination faced by the rural population in Nepal. They have been successful in exploiting the grievances of these people. The movement started out addressing genuine concerns of the rural poor. Unfortunately, this so-called revolution has deviated from its original agenda and the Maoists have turned into a terrorist group.
Jay Shrestha, Nepal/USA

Some rebels face genuine demands, but some have ridiculous demands. The world is moving toward peace on the planet. Therefore, before force is used to crush them or to change their mind, a whole hearted effort should be made by a world body to negotiate with them. If such a world body is formed that can intervene arm conflict between a government and rebels, the problem is half solved already!
Agha Ata, USA

Such a beautiful land and people

Suresh Sharma, USA

My last visit to Nepal two years back left me shocked. Such a beautiful land and people. However, I also saw so much poverty and so few opportunities for the country's young. Nepal being much poorer than its neighbour India, economically as well as opportunity wise, it's no wonder that Maoist groups are coming out to play.
Suresh Sharma, USA

Force can never be a solution for rebel movements. These rebel movements are from the minorities in any country. These minorities or ethnic groups and are deprived of their democratic rights in their countries, and that is how the rebel groups started. The groups have popular support among the people. Otherwise they cannot survive. The only solution is for the international community to understand their plight and bring pressure on the governments involved to grant the people affected the basic rights. The United Nations should play a large role in this. But, sad to say it's powers have been virtually deprived by members of the Security Council vetoing issues for vested interests.
Ponn Thangarajah, USA

Throughout history, violence has always appealed the most to people who do not agree with their ruling governments. I wonder how many rebels stop to think about the great man, Gandhi. He achieved his goal of independent India with civil disobedience, shrewdness and non-violence. Brain not brawn is the answer for a long-term solution.
Lalloo Bihari, India

The whole episode has nothing to do with democracy, monarchy or poverty

Jee, India

The Maoist rebels have been misguided, trained, armed by the anti-Nepal and anti-Indian establishments existing along the Indo-Nepal border. They want to run on their principles, which today stand on arms smuggling, drugs and communism. There is also the added flavour of anti-Indian rhetoric to basically garner material support from India's two rival neighbours. The Maoist's success would depend on how much they can convince these two nations about their anti-Indian ideologies. The whole episode has nothing to do with democracy, monarchy or poverty.
Jee, India

When minorities cannot get their rights through democratic practices or when politicians use communal/economical differences for their political advantage, the affected people are compelled to chose armed struggle as a way to get their rights or at least to get the attention of the world. And, democracy only cares about the majorities' views and minorities are never considered.
R. Vadamaravan, Sri Lanka

Though I totally disagree with the Maoists' ideology and approach, they do have certain plus points. The main one is that the Nepali monarchy system is an obsolete one that needs drastic reform - the events following the June 1 massacre have clearly demonstrated this.
Enigma, Nepal

We'll soon witness the funeral of Nepalese democracy

Roshan Paudel, Nepal/USA

Insurgency was inevitable given the moral and political apathy of the political mainstream in Nepal. The so-called Maoist leaders are also disillusioned that they will eradicate all evils of Nepalese society and create a communist state. Violence to bring about political change is a mere "dream." The people of Nepal will get so tired of politicians who are busy amassing their own fortune while the people are living under devastating poverty and the Maoist leaders who adopt violence to their political ends. We'll soon witness the funeral of Nepalese democracy.
Roshan Paudel, Nepal/USA

Terrorists in any form cannot be dealt with as humans but only as terrorists, which is exactly what they claim to be. If hundreds of innocent lives can be sacrificed by two warring parties in the name of some economic, social or religious rationalism, then what can we humanly comprehend about such rationalists?
Kapali Viswanthan , India/Australia

The politicians thought only their personal interest instead of our poor population, that's why some Nepalese become Maoists. In my view, the leaders are a responsible of this act and they must learn a lesson.
Jivan, France

The failure of political leadership since the restoration of democracy 12 years ago is one of the prime reasons for insurgency in Nepal

Magarson Thapa, Hong Kong

The failure of political leadership since the restoration of democracy 12 years ago is one of the prime reasons for insurgency in Nepal. However, the same political leaders are still in command. It is a reasonable expectation from all Nepalis that those leaders with abysmal records should not be permitted to open up a new avenue for tomorrow's Nepal whichever way Maoists problem is solved.
Magarson Thapa, Hong Kong

For people who understand the language of bullets, we need to negotiate with bullets. Till now we have not seen even a single separatist group having won any election, though they claim the entire population of the region is behind them. Forget about winning, they will not even participate in the process fearing the exposure of their popularity. How can these people understand the language of humanity?
Srikanth Pradhan, USA

There is no reason at all for militancy in any country at all. These people are fighting just for sake of it and stupid human rights organisations are responsible for the expansion of these rebel groups. When they kill innocent people or police or military serving the country they and the UN are nowhere to be seen, and if a militant gets killed, they are all over shouting human rights violation. If these people have any public backing, then they should fight elections and look after those voters through the proper channels. The whole rebel groups should be given an ultimatum to give up militancy, or they should be dealt with throughout the world with one united iron fist with no exception at all.
M Dhariwala, Canada/India

Force can certainly be a solution. The only question is whether a government is ruthless enough to employ the necessary force needed to crush a rebellion. In today's instant video media-driven age, the sight of death and innocent dead is enough to sap the fighting will of even the hardest of hearts. Imagine how much different American history would be if TV existed during the American Civil War. The TV images would have forced a negotiated peace, and slavery would have existed for another 50 or 100 years.
Tom Byrne, USA

Force is not only the way but it will be effective if implemented along with economic and social relief packages mostly in the country's wild west-end.
Robbie, Singapore

Failure to understand the minority rights by the majority government causes this and on going problems. The one and only solution is effective talking between two parties, if necessary with the help of mediators.
Raj Karu, UK/Srilanka

Perhaps the rebels would like to negotiate but when they are confronted by the army they seem to have no choice but to resort to violence. I know violence will result only in further violence but this may not be their view. The government of Nepal is virtually responsible for the birth of the Maoist rebels. They worked so hard to bring in democracy and the same democracy disappointed them. After a prolonged period of time they are resorting to violence. It is so sad to see a beautiful country destroyed by such unprecedented violence. It is not for the rebels to work towards a solution, it is for the government to come with a workable alternative. And with fools like Deoba as the Prime Minister this can be least expected.
M Moktan, Canada

Let's not forget, democracy, not the Maoists, is the key to economic opportunity in Nepal

AD, Nepal

The western Nepal, the Maoist stronghold and ground zero for the current insurgency, was always an opportunity to be part of country's economic growth for last several decades, which was especially worst during the absolute monarchy. This is coming to haunt them now. Despite the constitutional monarchy, the shadows of Royalty (Ranas and Shahs) still rules Nepal under its thumb, denying hardworking people of any access to new economy and modern education. And so called Maoist leaders have taken advantage of desperate unemployed youths who lack the basic knowledge about failed communism around the world while corrupt thugs are ruling the country. Therefore, equal economic opportunity, modern education and ridding of thuggish politicians is essential for stable and prosperous Nepal. Let's not forget, democracy, not the Maoists, is the key to economic opportunity in Nepal, which comes from tourism, small businesses, private systematic farming practices and most importantly, getting rid of the caste system.
AD, Nepal

Even the head of the Maoists have no control over their grass root level comrades. This was clear seen when they called off their strikes to disrupt the high school exams. Though the strike was called off, the Maoists comrades went on strike saying they did not know any Prachanda or whoever. Even if the peace talks are successful, it would be tough to eliminate the terror at the rural sector. Force and better governance is the only solution to eliminate the ongoing insurgency.
Pravesh Saria, Nepal/USA

Think of Newton's third law, force will get you nowhere. We stand as spectators watching politicians planning to fail, only to blame the other side. When negotiating, do not treat the other party with apathy.
Khalid Rahim, Canada

Violence breeds violence and the cycle perpetuates in even more cynical pattern. Israel is a vivid example. No rebel group can wage war for a long time if substantial part of the grieving population is not behind them. People resort to violence out of desperation. Nepal's violent insurgency has its root not only in the last 12 years of failed politics but also in the years preceding the period, throughout which majority of Nepalese have been continuously subjected to subhuman treatment and abject poverty. If the rebels are morally wrong to resort to violent means then it's even more compelling for the state to be morally right to pursue and explore all avenues and prospects of talks and negotiation at all time to stop the bloodshed.
Anuj Mishra, Nepal