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Wednesday, 4 July, 2001, 17:02 GMT 18:02 UK
Eyewitness: Nepal's Maoist power base
The rebels often target the police force
By Rahul Sarnaik in Nepal
For five years, Nepal has witnessed a rebellion by Maoist guerrillas who have pledged to overthrow the country's monarchy and replace its parliamentary democracy with a one-party state. The rebels now hold about a quarter of the country, and have thousands of armed activists who have attacked police stations and government officials. Some 2,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the fighting between the Maoists and the state.
'Martyrs' In an area under Maoist rule - a remote village in Sindupalchok district, about five hours' drive east of Kathmandu - women activists tell of their aims. One of the local commanders, Comrade Praveen, said: "I'm here to help build a monument to our martyrs - the people who have died fighting in our struggle. "I am fighting this war to create a true people's democracy. This is a feudal society - the king and all the landlords rule by the gun.
"We want to overthrow them and create a people's republic."
"In this place, when I came here, there was no drinking water. The Maoists have provided drinking water. If they see a problem they will do something for the people." 'We will fight' Local activist Monomai - a woman with three children - insists that the women will also join the men in opposing the government, and fight if necessary. "The Maoists are the only ones helping women," she said. "They give us more rights, and education - the government does nothing for us. If the enemy ever comes here, we women will fight them just as our men do." Monomai lives in a village firmly under Maoist control where they are keen to put forward a positive image. But I heard a very different story in a village an hour's drive away, where police and rebels have been battling for control. Bribery fears One elderly man, who wouldn't give his name, told me his story.
"I used to be the leader of our village council and a supporter of the government - that's why they targeted me. "I had to give them the money. Now I dare not say anthing against them. Most of the poeple in this district support the Maoists out of fear." It is an allegation echoed by the authorities - that the rebels' power is based on intimidation. Power question Padma Ratna Tuladhar is the main negotiator between the government and the rebels, and is sympathetic to the rebels' cause. He says talk of terror is exaggerated. "They are doing these kinds of violent things only against the government or what they refer to as 'notorious persons'. There are no complaints from the common people in the villages," he said. The Maoists already hold about a quarter of Nepal, and are continuing to attack police bases and seize villages. So could they actually take power?
"In other areas they don't command popular support because of the threats, intimidation and the reign of terror." So with government and Maoists issuing accusation and counter-accusation, there are calls for new strategies to help end Nepal's turmoil. Journalist Kanak Dixit says: "The only way forward is for the Maoists, who already have a base, to convert that base into a political power above ground - within mainstream politics. Otherwise one can only see more and more violence."
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05 Apr 01 | South Asia
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