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Prachanda problem growing like an ulcer
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What
happened in Pakistan and the crushing of Buddhists in Myanmar somewhat
eclipsed what happened in Nepal. We just might get another hostile
neighbour under the presidentship of Maoist leader Prachanda.
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The
53-year-old Prachanda is an Agriculture graduate from JNU. The party
has decided to anoint him the first President of Nepal. This will be a
big blow to not just the people of Nepal and their political parties
but also to Indo-Nepalese relations.
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The
Maoist outfit Youths Communist League (YCL) has already started
hoisting red flags in the no man's land at the Nepal-Uttaranchal
border, claiming a large part of Indian territory as Nepal's. They
routinely shout anti-India slogans. The Uttaranchal Government has,
time and again, drawn the attention of the Centre of this. The
Government has chosen silence over the issue. This is just the tip of
the troubles, if Prachanda becomes President of Nepal.
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We
all know how, under pressure from Prachanda, Girija Prasad Koirala's
Government accepted not only to disempower King Gyanendra but also
undertake other changes of far-reaching consequences. It is also a
known fact that the Maoists are in favour of giving free access to
China and reviewing existing agreements between India and Nepal.
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Koirala
and his colleagues became Prime Minister and Ministers without going
through elections. The same applies to Prachanda and his group. It is
now clear why Maoists were against King Gyanendra and nominal monarchy.
Koirala, evidently was for continuation of nominal monarchy. But under
threat from Maoists taking to arms, he accepted the conditionalties.
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The
Maoists have reached an understanding with a section of the seven
parties' combine that they will support Prachanda. After abolishing
monarchy, he is just one step away from becoming President. This would
be a historic gain for Marxists after the cold war period. The credit
for this goes to the Left, particularly Sitaram Yechury and Prakash
Karat who brought the present Nepali Government into being.
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In
a way, Indian Marxists have played the Chinese game against mainstream
parties. They will be democratic and amalgamate into Indian politics.
In fact, the outside support of Left to the UPA will cost India dear,
for China would be nearer to Indian borders and we all know their
silent diplomacy.
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There
is no differentiation between Maoists, Naxalites, CPI and CPM. They are
all Marxists. Their tactics may be different. Their rhetoric may sound
different. Their tone may be soft or harsh but their ultimate objective
is the same.
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Those
who keep a watch on developments in Nepal often hear about Maoists
pressurising the Government by threatening to take to arms. Although a
part of their arms is stored in army depots, much of it is held by
their cadres. Two years ago, they had agreed to bid goodbye to arms and
surrender them to the army garrison under a peace pact but this never
really happened.
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The
peace agreement remains on paper only. In January, 2008 Maoists blasted
15 bombs killing and seriously injuring many who do not agree with
their doctrine of violence. One can see that they are targeting
Buddhist ethnic groups, Nepal Rashtriya Tamang Mukti Morcha; they are
organising bandhs and strikes in Kathmandu, Makawanpur, Sidhupad Chowk, Kavrepalan Chowk, Dhading and Novakot.
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This
not only brings misery but also violence into Nepal's mainstream.
Though it is true that the comprehensive peace agreement period had
very little bloodshed and bandhs but even during that period violent
killings were not rare.
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According
to the Institute of Conflict Management, 95 persons were killed up to
December 13, 2006. Total fatalities in 2006 account for killing of 61
civilians, 181 security forces personnel and 238 persons fighting for
the country.
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An
In-sec report said that 772 people were abducted by the Maoists youth
wing but general propaganda said the level of violence decreased after
the peace pact.
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This
is the picture of an anarchic Himalayan State, gift-wrapped by outside
supporters of the UPA. If Nepal goes into the hands of Prachanda, it
would be the biggest blunder committed by the UPA Government, knowing
fully well that India has big stakes in Nepal.
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