DOMESTIC POLITICS <Go to Contents>

In the year 2001, the politics of Nepal remained highly volatile caused by governmental instability, parliamentary deadlocks, Royal assassination, growing Maoist insurgency and the state of emergency. On January 4 Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala survived a no-trust vote against him by dissatisfied members of his own party Nepali Congress (NC). The 41 rebel Congress MPs close to former Prime Ministers-Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Sher Bahadur Deuba-- boycotted the voting. That 69 votes went against the no confidence motion indicated that Premier Koirala held majority in his parliamentary party. Criticizing the voting as invalid, Deuba initiated nation-wide tours to force premier Koirala to resign from one of the posts-Prime Minister or party president before the 10th General Convention of the party in Pokhara.
The convention of Nepali Congress Party took place during January 19-22, which elected Prime Minister Koirala as Congress president for the second term. He scored 64 percent of the votes ( 936 votes out of the total valid 1,453) and defeated his two rivals-ex-premier Deuba (507 votes) and ex-minister Ram Hari Joshi (10 votes). The party resolution passed by the Convention pledged to "provide justice to the helpless and income to the poor and involve people of the backward regions of society in the mainstream development. Social justice and equality of opportunity in society are essential for the fulfillment of democracy. The economic and social policies of the party are guided by the ideology of socialism." The Convention also endorsed a Code of Conduct for party workers, according to which, every party member holding an advantageous post required to submit a statement of property registered in his/her own and family members' names and update such statements every year.

Newly Elected Central Working Committee Members of Nepali Congress Party are: <Go to Contents>

Nominated Members by the President <Go to Contents>

Krishna Prasad Bhattarai
Sher Bahadur Deuba
Basu Risal
Nona Koirala
Dil Bahadur Gharti
Ram Krishna Tamrakar
Sunil Kumar Bhandari
Farmullah Mansur
Purna Kumar Sherma

On September 25 Nepali Congress President G. P. Koirala nominated CWC member Govind Raj Joshi as the joint General Secretary of the Party, and CWC members

Mahanta Thakur and Arjun Nar Singh KC as the party's treasurer and spokesman respectively.
In order to solve the differences within the party, premier Koirala recommended some changes on the Council of Minister. Accordingly, on February 7 King Birendra declared changes in the Council of Ministers constituted under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on March 21, 2000. Physical Planning and Works Minister Khadka did not take oath and was therefore removed. From Bhattarai-Deuba side only Omkar Shrestha took the oath of minister. Prime Minister Koiral's effort to solve the party problems thus remained a festering sore.

In fact, the formation of new cabinet intensified the rift in the party at a time when all the opposition parties in the parliament were demanding the resignation of premier Koirala on his alleged involvement in Lauda Jet Air Deal and were blocking the parliamentary sessions. Pressure against him mounted as Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Jaya Prakash Gupta and State Minister for Labor and Transport Surendra Hamal resigned on the ground of "policy differences" with him while ex-premier K. P. Bhattarai criticized his unilateral decision to reshuffle the cabinet and requested him to resign from one of the posts.

To frustrate the maneuver of rival faction and to demonstrate his strength, premier Koirala on March 18-19 convened the meeting of party presidents of district levels, Congress MPs and central working committee members of the party in Kathmandu. While K. P. Bhattarai boycotted the meeting, other had decided to: wage anti-corruption campaign in the districts, including campaign against violence, support the Prime Minister against opposition and call on premier Koirala not to opt for mid-term election. On April 4 rival Nepali Congress camps met at Deuba's residence and discussed about the ways and means of resolving deadlocks in the party, with the mainstream opposition and the Maoists. Both groups agreed to end the House Session and re-promulgate the ordinances regarding Armed Police Force and Local Administration Ordinance.

On May 5 ex-premier Bhattarai again asked the Prime Minister to resign. He said: "The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority's (CIAA) questions to the Prime Minister confirmed my previous statement that PM Koirala was deeply involved in the Lauda Jet Lease. There was no alternative to the resignation for the sake of NC's commitment toward democracy, respect for the constitution and the rule of law." Premier Koirala countered this move by mobilizing 30 Nepali Congress district committee presidents close to him who also issued a joint statement asking premier Koirala "not to resign for the interest of democracy." In a last attempt to stick to power, he brought the idea of national consensus among the major political parties. While addressing the 20th session of parliament on June 25 he said: "he was fighting for upholding the prime ministerial system of governance, and not for his post of Prime Minister." Premier also pointed out that in the 12 years of the restoration of democracy, there have been instances of several attacks on the Constitution, the parliament, the Constitutional monarchy and the judiciary." He presented his 14-point agenda for national consensus:

Leader of opposition Madhav Kumar Nepal while appreciating the premier's proposal remarked that "If you resign, we are ready to cooperate." A few days later CPN-UML modified those points and added some more points which, among others, include:

As the attention of his rivals in the party and opposition parties got diverted to Royal massacre of June 1, Premier Koirala got some political space to stay in power.

Royal Assassination <Go to Contents>

On June 1, 2001 at 9.15 PM Friday at Royal Palace King Birendra Bir Bikram Shav Dev (56), queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah (52), Crown Prince Nirajan, Princess Shruti and Princes Jayanti Shah and many members of Royal family were shot dead. All the royal members were in family dinner party hosted by the King. The next day Nepal Raj Parishad declared Crown Prince Dipendra (30) as the new king of Nepal who was seriously injured and hospitalized. Similarly, the Raj Parisad also appointed Prince Gyanendra (born in July 1947), the King's uncle and king Birendra's second brother, as the Regent of the Kingdom of Nepal. Since the new monarch was in critical condition and was unable to discharge his duties, the Regent would exercise the power vested in the monarchy. On June 4 the State Council upon the death of King Dipendra declared the Regent Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev the new king of Nepal.

The new King after ascending the throne announced: "due investigation is to be instituted to prove into the Royal deaths." Accordingly, the same day he announced the formation of a Commission under the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Keshav Prasad Upadhaya as the Chairman and Speaker of the House Tara Nath Ranabhat and Leader of Opposition Madhav Kumar Nepal to investigate into the matter and submit report within three days. He also declared his wife Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah as the queen of Nepal.

Chronology of Events <Go to Contents>

Armed Police Ordinance <Go to Contents>

As per the recommendation of the Koirala government, on January 22, His Majesty king Birendra had promulgated an "Armed Police Ordinance 2057 B. S." intended to immediately create an armed police force and make arrangements for its functioning. The force is equipped with modern weaponry and provided training in counter-insurgency operations, especially Maoist, secessionist activity, terrorist activity and religious and communal riots taking place or likely to take place in any part of the country. The King also promulgated a "Local Administration (fourth amendment) Ordinance 2001 to immediately amend the Local Administration Act 1972. The provisions in the Act had facilitated to set up one Regional Administration Office in each development region, with a gazetted special class regional administrator from the civil service appointed by His Majesty's Government as chief administrator. The regional administrators are responsible for running the general administration in their region in a coordinated manner as per the policy and directives of His Majesty's Government. On April 12 His Majesty the King had, with the advise and consent of the council of ministers, re-promulgated "Armed Police Ordinance-2057" and "Local Administration (fourth amendment) Ordinance-2057" as 19th session of Parliament could not ratify them due to total disturbances. The 19th session of parliament that started on February 8 and ended on April 5 (57 days) did not make a single working sessiondue to opposition boycott demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Koirala.

The flexibility in Nepalese politics appeared on July 22 when NC parliamentary party had elected ex-premier Sher B. Deuba (55) as its leader and His Majesty appointed him as 11th Prime Minister. PM Koirala had already resigned on July 19 following alleged non-cooperation of the army to him against growing Maoist insurgency in the country and standoffs with all the opposition political parties. Chief of the Army P. S. Rana on April 20 had clearly indicated that the use of army requires "national consensus," as it cannot be used for partisan interest. As a result, the government granted more powers to Chief District Officer (CDO) under Public Security Act-2001. Under this Act, CDO or officials on their behalf can "put individual or a group under solitary confinement or limit their movement to certain areas if officials are convinced that the suspect people are about to harm the country's sovereignty, integrity or infringe public peace, law and order." According to new Regulations "a person or a group of person found involved in such activities are liable to arrest, home arrest and are forbidden to leave the country."

On July 26 Premier Deuba announced a 13-member Council of Minister and took a number of important initiatives. First, he announced total cease-fire and urged the Maoists to come to the negotiation table and showed a gesture of goodwill by releasing 15 Maoist cadres and subsequently holding three dialogues with them. He also held regular all-party meeting to muster consensus for dealing with the Maoists effectively. Second, on August 12 with the support of CPN-UML he facilitated the passage of the Armed Police Force Bill 2000 by a majority vote while the Local Administration (4th Amendment) was passed unanimously. Third, on August 16, he announced sweeping structural reforms by introducing land reforms in order to give land to landless and ensure judicial distribution in the land system, provide equal property rights to women and abolish the system of untouchability in the country. On August 31 the government registered a Bill on land reform in the parliament secretariat and withdrew the earlier ban on all land transactions. Land Reforms (Fifth Amendment) Bill was passed on October 12 amidst boycott from the RPP and Nepal Sadbhavana Party. Both the parties criticized the government's "highhandedness, banking on its majority." While the left opposition argued that "It is better to have some ceiling on the land holdings as proposed by the bill than not have any." According to new arrangement the ceiling will be 11 Bighas in Tarai, and 25 and 70 Ropanis per family in inner Tarai or Kathmandu valley and hills respectively.

The House of Representative also passed 11the Amendment to the Muluki Ain (Civil Code) on October 9, which purports to grant a semblance of property rights to daughters. The Bill legalized abortion under certain cases, which was completely prohibited earlier. The existing laws say that women have to be 35 years old and remain unmarried until that point they are entitled to paternal property. But, once married, the property has to be returned. Now women will be able to get their share once they become adult. They do not have to wait until they reach 35 years. The provision on abortion as prescribed in the Bills enables women to abort up 12 weeks of pregnancy with their husband's consent. In rape related pregnancy case or incest, pregnancy up to 18 weeks may be terminated. In the cases where pregnancy poses danger to the physical and mental health of mothers or if medical reports prove that foetuses are damaged leading to the birth of a disabled child, abortion is permitted in any time with the consent of the pregnant women. However, if in case anyone is found testing to find sex of the foetus with the intention of aborting, they could face three to six months of prison sentence and if abortion is carried out on the basis of sex of the foetus then the punishment is added to additional one year. This is meant to discourage the discriminatory practice in the society to give preference to male child over the female. Likewise, on November 9 the government constituted a high-level commission in coordination of secretary of the Judicial Council Kashi Raj Dahal, to present a draft report on the existing discriminatory laws against women. The eight-member commission will first review the discriminatory laws against women, make a draft report suggesting proper reforms on such laws and annul all discriminatory laws against women as guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal, and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Kinds of Discriminatory Law against Women (CEDAW) of which Nepal is a party.

Premier Deuba said that the government would take action against those who prevent anyone entering into religious sites and performing religious activities on the basis of caste. Declaring the practice of untouchability as a social crime, he promised to introduce a new Bill in parliament to eliminate such religious discrimination and untouchability. The Prime Minister also said that a high level commission for the development of oppressed class would be constituted. The government would make sincere efforts to create a mechanism to ensure free and fair election in consultation with all political parties.

Newly Expanded Cabinet <Go to Contents>

On October 18, Premier Deuba inducted 28 new members in the 13-member Council of Ministers headed by him (Note: the names with bold letters were appointed on July 26), thus taking the number of members of the Council to 41. The names and portfolios of newly included minister are given below:

NC party president G. P. Koirala described the expanded council of minister "big and disorderly." He wanted to revive his formula of Broader Democratic Alliance, which he broached on September 18, to oppose the atrocities of the Maoist cadres. He said: "The government may or may not oppose the Maoist activities, but the general public must." He forwarded this proposal to the leaders of other political parties. While premier Deuba termed this "alliance" an untimely ploy to grab power, leader of opposition Madhav Kumar Nepal stated that "democratic alliance" should not be joined by corrupt elements. Later G. P. Koirala dropped the idea and stated his support to the government.

Opposition Politics <Go to Contents>

On January 25 the main opposition party CPN-UML asked the Prime Minister Koirala to resign for his involvement in Lauda Air deal and criticized him for failing to maintain law and order in the country. The Standing Committee of the UML initiated talks with other political parties to create "common position" about this. Accordingly, on February 12, legislators of five main parties-- CPN-UML, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), National People's Front, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) and United People's Front (UPF) walked out from the Lower House of Parliament over the House's non-attention to their demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister. On February 19, MPs from both the ruling and opposition sides even resorted to fisticuffs in the parliament building and traded accusations of stooping to "unparliamentary norms." The Speaker and Chairman of Parliament organized a series of all-party meeting to break the deadlock in the parliament, but ended inconclusively. Support to the government further declined when Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) which had been co-operating the government so far boycotted the parliament since March 20 along with other five parties and opposed the government's alleged plan to pass two ordinances-Armed Police Force and Local Administration-through what they called "unfair means."

On April 15 the UML with thousands of their supporters from other left parties gathered in front of Singh Durbar, the principal secretariat, to block the entry of Prime Minister. The police took the top leaders of CPN-UML including General-secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal into custody before they could lead their cadres to their destination. Police arrested them for some hours and then released them later on. Police also resorted to lathi charge and fired tear gas shells in the agitating cadres, who burned vehicle tyres, abused and pelted stones at the police. In protest they organized a rally in Kathmandu and announced their call for Chakkajam throughout the country from 4 to 5 PM the next day.

On April 23 president of RPP Surya Bahadur Thapa argued that the government's Integrated Security and Development Package (ASDP) cannot solve the present crisis of the nation. The RPP's Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on April 19-20 had decided to initiate dialogue with various political parties to end the political deadlock. Thapa told: "The national consensus is must among the parliamentary parties to negotiate with Maoists, tackling corruption, mobilization of army and winning the confidence of the king. Monarch's goodwill and support is essential to solve the existing crisis." Six left political parties led by CPN-UML called Nepal Bandh (shut down) during May 27-30, organized a series of strikes afterwards and crowned premier Koirala as "Corrupt the Great."

Royal massacre of June 1, however, completely changed the political situation of the country. While CPN-UML accepted constitutional monarchy, it wanted some reforms in the institution. The Central Committee Meeting of CPN-UML on August 5 took decision on several major issues including "parliamentary control over the succession to the Throne and the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA)." The party also decided to fight against "the extreme leftists" that is, the Maoists and work on strengthening the party. Likewise, the meeting endorsed a proposal on "unity of the left parties" and agreed to work seriously for either unification or cooperation with like-minded left parties including CPN-Masal, CPN-ML, CPN-United Front, Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party, CPN-United, CPN-Marxist and CPN-Marxist-Leninist and Maoist, among other, in order to integrate the Communist revolutionary movement. The party also appealed the underground Maoist party to joint the mainstream Communist revolution withdrawing their extreme revolutionary attitude and give up arms. On August 9, the UML lawmakers demanded the amendment in the constitution in order to facilitate the formation of national government under the Chief Justice to monitor the general elections.

Various left parties had held several rounds of talks aiming to create a "united left front" but could not. ML had clearly stated that the two parties should be merged on the basis of equality and that the UML should admit "Mahakali treaty was a mistake." ML wanted the dissolution of the central committee of both the parties for the creation of a new executive committee with equal number of representation. UML leaders objected both the conditions and their talks had been stalled. Again on August 31 eight left parties mentioned above held their first round of talks for forging alliance. The meeting focused on the ongoing dialogue between the government and the Maoists and proposed land reforms in Nepal.

General secretaries of five communist parties, including leader of the main opposition CPN (UML), met Maoist leader Comrade Prachanda at Siliguri, India on August 16. They include Bamdev Gautam, General-Secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal, General Secretary of the CPN-ML, Narayanman Bijukchhe of the Nepal Peasants and Workers' Party, Mohan Bikram Singh of the CPN (Masal), Prakash of the Unity Centre and Lilamani Pokharel of the United People's Front. The general secretaries held extensive discussions with Prachanda, particularly on the much-awaited peace talks with the government and on forging a basic working understanding among all the leftist forces. As these leaders could not agree on Maoist proposal for the call of republican state and constituent assembly, the talk became fruitless and Maoist leaders began to criticize Madhav Kumar Nepal as second version of "Rayamajhi," who is regarded as Royal communist.

The Terai-based Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) organized a weeklong Mechi to Mahakali Chriot procession from Feb. 28-March 7 calling for an end to the exploitation and discrimination of Madhesi community, provision of federal government, citizenship facility to the people of Terai, equal access to political and administrative power and authority, etc.

Citizenship Bill <Go to Contents>

On July 26,2000 the House of Representatives passed the sixth amendment to Citizenship Act 2056. The Act guarantees citizenship rights to a person on the basis of birth. The Bill was passed with 108 votes of Nepali Congress MPs in the presence of 5 Nepal Sadbhavana Party MPs and submitted to the King as Finance Bill. Other parties boycotted this move. The fate of this controversial bill was passed on to the Supreme Court as His Majesty king Birendra on February 20, sought the court's opinion on "whether the Bill is accordance with the present Constitution or not." The bill drew criticism as it purported to provide citizenship to any one, even a foreigner, if he or she can prove Nepali ancestry. There is also no need that the applicant's father should be holding Nepali citizenship. According to the Constitution, the royal seal must be affixed on a Finance Bill within 30 days after being forwarded to the King. Unlike a case in the general bill, the monarch cannot send back the Finance Bill to the parliament for further discussion. Since March 14, the Supreme Court formed an amicus curiae and started debates on the bill in which all noted advocates (Sarvagya Ratna Tuladhar, Bishwa Kanth Mainali, Moti Kaji Stapit, Mukund Regmi, Daman Nath Dhungana) argued against the bill, saying that either it was not a Finance Bill or it directly contravened the clauses of the Constitution. The only exception was official defender, Attorney-General Badri Bahadur Karki. On April 25 the Supreme Court judges unanimously gave opinion to the king that the proposed bill contradicts the provisions of the Constitution. The bill remains dead now.

Maoist Insurgency <Go to Contents>

CPM-Maoist party started People's war in Nepal on February 17, 1996. In the Year 2001 it intensified its activities throughout the country, held three rounds of negotiations with the government, then unilaterally broke down the negotiation and resorted to armed attacks against the establishment. On February 5, Maoist rebels killed the Surkhet Appellate Court judge in a lethal attack including five other people. The Chief Justice of Supreme Court Keshav Prasad Upadhayay and others narrowly escaped. The attack on the Chief justice was being thought as a "symbolic expression" of the Maoist's warning against the formation of the Special Court, especially aimed at taking the Maoists to book. The Special Court had begun its operation since January 9 of this year.

On February 25 in a statement signed by Chairman Prachanda (hitherto General-Secretary) indicated that his line will combine armed mass revolt and the people's war. Upon entering six year of people's war they organized a conference and decided to establish "Prachanda's path" combined with Marxism-Leninism and Maoism. It called for a conference of political parties (including Nepali Congress) and related organizations to frame a people's constitution, pledged to pursue a "Great Leap Forward" to push for the expansion of secure bases, strengthen people's local governments, form a people's central government, and constitute a broad-based "united front" government to work toward forming a central level people's government backed by "mass line" to mobilize the masses.

By dropping their earlier insistence on Constituent Assembly and opting for all parties' interim government to draft the Constitution, Maoists had adopted two-pronged strategy -- the possibility of a political dialogue with the government and intensification of their attacks against the establishment. Their major operations this year included Rukum, Dolakha and Dailekh in which they killed 102 policemen. In response to this event, the National Defense Council decided to take all "necessary means to maintain law and order in the country." The Chief of Army Prajjwal Shumsher Rana, however, set preconditions for the mobilization of army: all party consensus, administrative reforms, speedy justice by the court, finding way out of the current political deadlock and good governance. This prompted the Maoists to call for an all-party government to resolve the current crisis.

On April 11 Premier Koirala appealed the king to allow the mobilization of royal army in Maoist affected areas and provide security coverage to Integrated Development and Security Plan (ISDP). It also initiated dialogues with the opposition political parties for the implementation of ISDP. The army agreed to work under ISDP in seven rural western districts-Rukum, Rolpa, Jajarkot, Salyan, Gorkha, Pyuthan and Kalikot.

To outmaneuver the government, Maoist party activated its 23 frontline professional, ethnic and regional organizations and executed a number of social reforms: for example, demand for cutting down the fees in private schools by half, improvement in academic environment in public schools and putting other 15 demands to the government including that politicians and high officials should take their children out of the private schools and enroll them in public schools. It also banned alcohol sales and consumption nationwide from August 18. In the process, they attacked Nepalgunj-based Shah Distillery Pvt. Ltd, Colgate Palmolive (Nepal), Surya Tobacco, Nepal Lever Ltd, Asian Pants, etc. Maoists also created "people's court" to provide instant justice to victims and raised the demands of ethnic and regional groups, Dalits, indigenous people and trade unions. Meanwhile, they evoked fear among the public by hanging bombs in public places attaching to a banner denouncing the Koirala government and abducting policemen in huge number. The Maoist's stand against the government became tougher following Royal massacre.

Chief Maoist ideologue Dr. Baburam Bhattarai in an article published in Kantipur daily on June 2 pointed out to the "conspiracy" of domestic and international factors in the killing of king Birendra, Queen Aishorya, Crown Prince Dipendra and other royal family members and appealed the army and people to revolt against the new King.

Meanwhile, Maoist rebels launched their armed operation against police in Nuwakot, Lamjung, Bajura and Gulmi districts and killed 58 policemen while on July 12 they kidnapped 70 policemen and looted large quantity of arms. On July 13 for the first time the Royal Nepal Army went into action against Maoist rebels in Ropa district of Nepal. The action was meant to release 70 policemen abducted by Maoist guerrillas and seize the weapons looted by them. The rebels first fired on an army MI-17 Russian helicopter that was on a surveillance mission over Rolpa jungles. But, within a few days local sources claimed that rebels and army have moved away from that place.
The Moist offensive on police and government machinery became relaxed only after premier Deuba declared a government cease-fire on July 23, which was quickly reciprocated by the Maoist leader Prachanda asking his guerrillas to suspend all activities. Deuba urged the security forces and the Maoists to "stop" all the activities.

Prachanda asked all his fighters to "postpone" their pre-planned offensive action while remaining "alert." He also asked the premier to declare the whereabouts of the "missing" Maoists, exchange prisoners and annul anti-people's war laws. Prachanda remarked that the Maoists have taken Deuba's "victory over the fascist Girija faction" as a positive move. All the major political parties representing the parliament, including minor ones outside it, provided the Prime Minister a comprehensive mandate to pursue talks with Maoists. The government also initiated steps to gradually release Maoist cadres in detention and guaranteed the security of Maoist negotiators.

On August 30 the government and the Maoists held their first official meeting in Godabari Village Resort, Lalitpur. The first round of talks that took place in Godavari lasted about three hours. The first meeting was meant to familiarize the negotiators from both sides and prepare the background for second round of substantive negotiations. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, former left MP, led Maoist delegation. The other members were T. B Rayamajhi (Former President of All Nepal Free Student Union) and Agni Prasad Sapkota (Former schoolteacher and a candidate for 1991 parliamentary election from UPF). They demanded a new Constitution, an interim government and an end to Hindu monarchical Kingdom in favor of a republic. They also asked the government to release 200 of their supports. The government side led by Minister for Physical Planning and Works Chiranjibi Wagle said that they would get back after further consultation. Besides Wagle, the five-member government committee included Minister for Agriculture Mahesh Acharya, Minister for Water Resources Bijaya Kumar Gachhedar, and Nepali Congress leaders Chakra Prasad Banstola and Narahari Acharya. Former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana and former leftist MP Padma Ratna Tuladher acted as facilitators. After the talks, the two sides issued a joint statement: "Both the government and the Maoists have expressed their commitment to resolve all the differences and the problems through peaceful dialogue."

On September 4 Premier Deuba denounced the Maoists of trying to disrupt the peace process and warned the Maoists to abide by the documents they signed during the first round of talks, to stop extortion, threatening people and organizing armed mass meets including the one huge show down they set for September 21 in Kathmandu. As the government took tough measure to use army to disarm and arrest the Maoist cadres and requested them not to hold their Kathmandu meet.

India Factor <Go to Contents>

On September 3 UML General-Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said, "The Maoists have been instigated by India to weaken Nepali nationalism; they have been instigated by the palace to weaken democracy and by the Congress to weaken the UML." On September 6 NC President Girija Prasad Koirala accused the Royal Palace and India of sheltering the Maoist rebels. He said, "The Palace and India are directing the Maoists who have been running terrorist activities in Nepal." In response to these statements the Indian government on September 9 disclosed its intention of deploying 80,00,0 paramilitary forces along the Nepal-India border to "control undesirable elements spoiling the friendly relations between the two countries." The Indian government said that it decided to deploy paramilitary forces along the Nepal-India open border as "peace and security situation in Nepal had deteriorated after the June 1 Royal Palace massacre." On September 25 Indian Minister for External Affairs Jaswant Singh remarked that the Indian government "openly opposed the Maoists." In an interview granted to Doordarshan TV, he said, "Wherever there is terrorism, we oppose it. In Nepal, we openly oppose the Maoists. We support the King of Nepal and the Nepal government of Sher Bahadur Deuba, we are with them in their fight against the Maoists." In December Delhi police also arrested two Nepalese Maoists with large quantity of explosives, meant for subversive activities and instructed their intelligence agencies to monitor their activities.

On September 13 the second round of government-Maoist dialogue took place in Tiger Top Lodge of Bardiya Royal Forest Park. The Maoists reiterated their demand for the release of their 200 supporters arrested in connection with collecting donations. Another agenda was September 21 mass meet of Maoists in Kathmandu. In response to it the government had decided to ban public mass meetings, extortion and other activities detrimental to law and order situation in the city for a maximum of one month.

Accordingly, the joint team of army and police raided the hostels of four government colleges in Kathmandu valley under the "Special Search Campaign" and arrested many Maoist students with explosives. Ultimately, the Maoist leaders called off September 21 meet in Kathmandu but warned the government of violent retribution. The student wing held its meeting in Biratnagar on September 24.

On September 18 the government made three major decisions. It lifted the ban on public meetings in Kathmandu valley on the ground of "an improvement in law and order situation." It also decided to withdraw criminal cases against 41 Maoists including top leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai. The Home Ministry made public the names of 188 Maoists under custody including those of Matrika Prasad Yadav, Ajab Lal Yadav and Purna Bahadur Khadka whose whereabouts were constantly demanded by the Maoists. The government also set up a separate National Defense Council Secretariat to regularly advise the Prime Minister about the country's security situation on the basis of day to day analysis.

In an all-party meet organized by Premier Deuba on September 24 he stated that "the Maoists are in the process of political safe landing." In the first week of October Maoist released 43 policemen and handed over them to International Red Cross Society. The government claimed that the Maoists held 185 people--116 civilians and 69 policemen captive. On October 11, the government decided to release Matrika Yadav, one of the leading Maoist leaders who has been in prison since last year.

As per the demand of Maoists, the emergency cabinet meeting on November 9 decided to withdraw the controversial Public Security Regulation 2001, paving the way to the third round of dialogue between the government and the Maoists. The cabinet meeting also decided to begin the process of releasing 68 Maoist cadres who were in police custody. Home and Local Development Minister Khum B. Khadka revealed that "there is no Maoist left in the police custody nor anybody disappeared by the government."

On November 10 Prachanda said that formation of interim government is the only precondition to the upcoming third round of peace talks with the government. He also declared that his "party has withdrawn the demand of institutional development of a republic state in the forthcoming talks. He said, "We want to form an interim government thereby conducting elections for the constituent assembly…We want the people to make the final decision about the republican state through constituent assembly."

On November 13 the government and Maoist held third round of dialogue at Godavari, Lalitpur that lasted about five hours. In this talks Maoist side focused on dissolving the present constitution and forming an interim government thereby conducting election for the Constituent Assembly. The Chief Maoist negotiator Krishna Bahadur Mahara put forth their demand for the release of 300 Maoist workers and supporters, withdrawal of army personnel deployed in seven Maoist stronghold districts under government's Integrated Security and Development Program (ISDP) and withdrawal of Armed Police Force Act that was passed by the 20th session of parliament to counter Maoist rebels. Facilitator Daman Nath Dhungana observed that the Maoist side insisted on the complete change of the Constitution while the government side preferred its reform.
The government negotiators responded that since Maoists have withdrawn the demand of a republican state, other demands could be fulfilled by the present Constitution. The government side denied supporting for the Constituent Assembly. During the talk the chief negotiator of government Minister Chiranjibi Wagle reiterated its demand of publicly issuing a directive by Maoist leader Prachanda to all cadres not to indulge into murder, violence, abduction and extortion. Political leaders from Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN-ML, RPP, Nepal Sadbhabana Party and Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party ruled out election to constituent assembly. In an article written by Dr. Baburam Bhattarai in Kantipur Daily on November 21 argued that Constitutional Assembly "is needed to formulate a new constitution that can abolish the current constituency system and create a new constituency to promote proportional representation of class, ethnic, regional and gender interests; special measures should be developed to empower the oppressed and backward classes; Royal Nepal Army and People's Army can be merged to create national force or both can be dissolved in favor of people's militia, etc The same day Speaker of the parliament Taranath Ranabhat suggested "the government to dissolve the lower house in order to make room for the Maoists to join the national mainstream by conducting early elections." He also said, "There exists a possibility of an all party government to conduct the elections and to ensure fairness." But, the sudden remarks by Maoist supremo Prachanda that "the government has closed all the doors for the peaceful resolution of Maoist problem through negotiation" and that "it terminated the relevance of cease-fire" in the country indicated ominous sign. Media speculated that Prachanda's statement indicates the pressure of his hard-liner comrade Ram B. Thapa (Badal), who was the chief wing of guerrillas. Premier Deuba said that the Maoist charges are "baseless and false. We are committed to talks. The Maoist themselves will have to take the responsibility for the outcome that would inevitably follow as a result of the violation of cease-fire called by the Maoists."

On November 23 Maoist insurgents attacked in Surkhet, Rukum, Kalikot, Kaski, Makwanpur, Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung, Khotang, Gorkha, Syangja and many other parts of the country. In Surkhet they destroyed a helicopter of Asian Airlines. Home Ministry revealed that 39 people (14 army personnel, 23 police and 2 civilians) have been killed in raids carried out by CPN-Maoist militias in Dang and Syangja districts. Many government offices have been damaged and they looted the guns and money amount to Rs. 60 million. It was for the first time Maoist attacked the army barrack in Dang.

On November 24 the CPN-Maoist announced the launching of the United Revolutionary People's Council (URPC) and the formation of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Their portfolio and order is given below: Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai, head, the Central People's Government, Krishna Bahadur Mahara (Coordinator), Dev Gurung (Secretary-General), Members are:Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Agni Prasad Sapkota, Hari Bhakta Kandel, Mani Thapa, Rabindra Shrestha, Barkha Man Pun, Chandra Prasad Khanal, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Jayapuri Gharti, Sri Ram Dhakal, Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma, Lekhraj Bhatta, Ram Charan Chaudhari, Purna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Nanda Kishor Pun, Hitraj Panday, Santu Darai, Shiva Raj Gautam, Suresh Ale Magar (Chairman Karnali Mukti Morcha), Tilak Pariyar, Jhakku Prasad Subedi, Khop Bahadur Kandel, Hit Bahadur Tamang, Dil Kumar Sinjapati, Kumar Dahal, Mukti Pradhan, Chaturman Rajbansi, Jaya Krishna Goiet, Gopal Khambu (President of Khambuan Liberation Front), Bhakta Raj Kandangwa, Resham Chaulagain, Ms. Hsila Yemi, Ms. Rekha Sharma Ms. Pampha Bhusal are also included in the central committee. The army front is headed by Ram Bahadur Thapa (Badal) and Puspa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) as chairman of the party.

On that occasion they also published a 75-point policy and programs focusing on 1. Basic policies, 2. State system, 3. People's army and people's security system, 4. Land and agricultural revolution, 5. Industry and commerce, finance and infrastructure development, 6. Culture and Education, 7.Health and social welfare, 8. Ethnic and regional question, 9.Women and family, 10.Dalit caste, 11. Foreign policy. The document says that under the leadership of proletariat the framework of state power shall consist of joint revolutionary front of all oppressed class, caste, region, gender and community. Contrary to the propaganda of one party communist dictatorship it will combine a myriad group of patriotic, pro-people and leftist forces who will guarantee full freedom, prevent the bureaucratization of the state by means of popular control, participation, monitoring, proportional representation of different class, caste and regional groupings in the House of Representatives, unity of people's army with the mass and expansion of the base of people's militia, establishment of local self-governance by means of granting self-determination to oppressed caste, ethnic group and region, development of national capitalist mode of production oriented to socialist mode of production, implementation of revolutionary land reforms on the basis of empowering the actual tiller of the land etc.

The National Defense Council meeting on November 24 decided to deploy the Royal Nepal Army for "Cordon and Search Operations," so as to disarm the Maoists and seize all the arms looted by them. Similarly, in an all-party meeting leaders of the parliamentary political parties unanimously decided to let the government take all due measures, including the use of army, armed police force and police to maintain the law and order situation in the country.

On November 25 Maoist rebels carried out violent attacks in Salleri, district headquarters of Solukhumbu. They also exchanged heavy firings with the Royal Nepal Army (RNA), bombed the airport, damaged district police office and quarter of Chief District Officer (CDO). The government says that army and police have killed 200 rebels after they tried to storm the Royal Nepal Army barracks in the town. Radio Nepal confirmed the deaths of four soldiers, 17 policemen including two inspectors and Chief District Officer. The rebels also took away Rs. 2 million form two banks. The attacks also completely destroyed District Administration Office, District Police office, Revenue office, and residence of the CDO and Agriculture Development Bank buildings. On November 25 police arrested Central Committee member of the CPN-Maoist, Rabindra Shrestha from his residence in Kathmandu along with his wife and 11 aides. In an another police raid Coordinator of National People's Movement Coordination Committee Bhakta Bahadur Shrestha was also arrested.

State of Emergency <Go to Contents>

On November 26 His Majesty's government declared the State of Emergency for three months, termed the Maoist terrorist, announced the full-fledged mobilization of the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) and suspended nearly all the fundamental rights of citizens (Aritcle 12. Right to Freedom, Article 12.2 (a) freedom of opinion and expression, Article 12.2 (b) freedom to assemble peaceably and without arms, Article 12.2 (d) freedom to move throughout the kingdom and reside in any part thereof, Article 13. Press and Publication Right, Article 13.1 no news item, article or any other reading material shall be censored, provided that nothing shall prevent the making of laws to impose reasonable restrictions on any act which may undermine the sovereignty and integrity of the Kingdom of Nepal, or which may jeopardize the harmonious relations subsisting among the peoples of various castes, tribes or communities, or any act of sedition, defamation or contempt of court or incitement to an offense or on any act against which may be contrary to decent public behavior or morality, Article 15 Right Against Preventive Detention, Article 15.1 No person shall be held under preventive detention unless there is a sufficient ground of existence of an immediate threat to the sovereignty, integrity, or law and order situation of the Kingdom of Nepal, Article 15.2 Any person held under preventive detention shall, if his detention was contrary to law or in bad faith, have the right to be compensated in a manner as prescribed by law, Article 16. Right to Information--every citizen shall have the right to demand and receive information on any matter of public importance; Article 17. Right to Property, Article 17.1--All citizens shall, subject to the existing laws, have the right to acquire, own, sell and otherwise dispose of, property, Article 17.2-The State shall not, except in public interest, requisition, acquire or create any encumbrance on, the property of any person, Article 17.3- the basis of compensation and procedure for giving compensation for any property requisitioned, acquired or encumbered by the State for in the public interest, shall be as prescribed by law, Article 22. Right to Privacy-Except as provided by law, the privacy of the person, house, property, document, correspondence or information of anyone is inviolable, Article 23 Right to Constitutional Remedy-The right to proceed in the manner set forth in Article 88 for the enforcement of the rights conferred by this Part is guaranteed, Article 88 deals with protection of fundamental rights to be safeguarded by the Supreme Court. However, the right to remedy of habeas corpus under Article 23 has not been suspended).

The king approved the mobilization of Royal Nepal Army, on the recommendation of National Defense Council (NDC). The NDC comprises Prime Minister, Defense Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Army. The king also promulgated Terrorist and Disruptive Ordinance 2001 declaring the cadres of Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) terrorist. Anyone found involved, directly or indirectly, and helping them would also be treated as terrorists. The same day the Army started aerial shooting and killed 40 terrorist in a forest near Dang. Premier Deuba made an appeal in the name of nation and people justifying the need for the declaration of emergency and seeking cooperation from political parties, civil society and all the quarters in the campaign against the Maoists. Army also made a series of aerial attacks in Rolpa, Dang, Ramechhap, Gorkha, Syanga, and other places, killed many Maoists, recovered two army jeeps and bulk of ammunitions looted by them during their attack of Dang Army Barracks. As a result, it is reported that hundreds of the members of Maoist peoples government from Rolpa, Syangja, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Udaypur, Pyuthan, Salyan, Sankhuwasabha, etc resigned, a large number of their cadres and supporters surrendered to the local administration and many of their sympathizers deserted them to lead a normal life.
Regarding the invitation of foreign force against the Maoists, Premier Deuba speaking to The Kathmandu Post Daily on December 4, categorically ruled out inviting any foreign armies to assist the Royal Nepal Army in its operation against Maoist rebels. Regarding the import of weapons he said, "The only criteria is that such weapons be available quickly and cheaply. In this context, we could import arms and ammunitions from India." Regarding the room for negotiation, he said, "How can there be negotiations with those who deceive you. No, there will not be any peace negotiations now. They must first lay down their arms and surrender, then we can think of other things." Premier Deuba, however, agreed that "poverty, illiteracy, lack of jobs and other socio-economic factors had all combined to create a ripe situation waiting to be exploited by the Maoists." He further asserted the emergency will continue till the Maoists are defeated. The official news claim that in seven districts night curfew continues and on December 9 a big encounter between the army and the Maoists took place in Rolpa in which 50 to 60 Maoists and 4 army men died. The army successfully saved the Nepal Telecommunication Corporations' repeater station from Maoist attack. In a similar encounters the next day in Salyan and Baitadi more than 40 Maoists and 2 soldiers died. On December 16 rebels launched sudden attacks District Police Office and military barracks in Solu and started firings but the joint operation of police and army repulsed them. In an interview to Nepal Television, C-N-C of the Army Prajwal S. Rana on December 17 revealed that so far 24 Army persons are killed and 58 are wounded in encounters with Maoists. Since December 24 the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) entered into a phase of offensive called "Search and Destroy Operations." The security men destroyed many of Maoist caves, also defused three banner bombs hung by the "terrorists" at Lalitpur districts while Maoists destroyed the houses of two ministers in Chitwan. On December 26 Informal Sectors Service Center (INSEC) revealed that during the emergency period 523 Maoists and 97 security personnel have been killed, 3386 persons believed to have Maoist connections have surrendered before the local authorities, 2971 persons have been arrested while action was taken against 481 persons.

Opposition Parties' Stand <Go to Contents>

On December 2 the meeting of nine left parties emphasized that "the state of emergency was not the solution to the crises dogging the nation." They asked the government to call off the state of emergency at the earliest possible and also suggested the Maoists to abandon the path of violence and seek peaceful solution to the present crisis. CPN-UML also constituted five-member parliamentary team under MP Rajendra Panday to study nationwide events that occurred during the state of emergency. The team collected facts from Syangja, Pyuthan, Dang, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Makwanpur, Rolpa, Sankhuwasabha and Solukhumbu districts and submitted report to Premier Deuba on December 4. The press release by the team claims that "the government side has killed many innocent civilians. Many UML activists have been deliberately killed or subjected to physical and mental torture and the civilians are not given access to newspapers in those districts." Speaking to press on December 5, leader of the opposition Madhav Kumar Nepal argued that the "government should persuade the Maoists that one cannot reach at the goal by the barrel of the gun. In order to solve the Maoist problems politically, both the government and the Maoists should come at the negotiation table." Addressing a gathering to celebrate 53rd World Human Rights Day leader of the opposition Nepal argued that " army mobilization would only aggravate the present fluid situation instead of solving it. If the country is to be free from terrorism, it is necessary to identify its root cause." Similarly, the leader of CPN-ML Bam Dev Gautam added that "if the RNA starts committing atrocities against innocent people, we will be forced to protest vigorously against its mobilization." On Dec. 11 thirteen opposition partied including CPN-UML, CPN-ML, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) handed over a memorandum to premier Deuba asking him to end the state of emergency as soon as possible and cautioned the government against misusing the authority. Taking the move of the opposition as positive one the Prime minister responded," The State of emergency has definitely curtailed some fundamental rights of the people. But it is not meant for the general people; it is for the terrorists only."

Nepali Congress Party also instituted two sub-committees each headed by MP Anand Dhungana and Benup Raj Prasain. While Dhungana is heading Information Analysis Committee, Prasai is heading another three member Contact Committee. This has been done to further ensure that no "one who is innocent is caught in the insurgency." On December 14 Chairman of RPP Soorya Bahadur Thapa said, "Although security operation was essential, it was not an end in itself. A political solution would be the ultimate answer to the ailing state of affairs in the country." Similarly views have been echoed by the General-Secretary of CPN-ML Bam Dev Gautam: "Maoist s should renounce violence, political parties should build pressure for creating an environment for holding talks to foster a wider national consensus." The leader of opposition Madhav Kumar Nepal, however, "stressed the need for new structures, political sagacity and farsightedness among those in power and a change in the Maoists' mind set for bringing about tangible improvements in the country." On December 15 G. P. Koirala, called for a "broader democratic alliance" to establish stronger partnership among the political parties during emergency, create a new image in national and international circle and work in a consolidated manner for reforms before the eleventh SAARC summit between January 4 to 6 next year.

Monarchy's Stand <Go to Contents>

In an interview granted to a journalist on December 6 His Majesty King Gyanendra said that " I never wanted the state of emergency. It came because of the necessity of the situation. The internecine killing among Nepalese is in itself painful. The army has no choice except to disarm them."

International Support to the Government <Go to Contents>

Premier Deuba convened a meeting of the heads of diplomatic mission Kathmandu to seek their support for the state of emergency. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson of India extended support to the "declaration of emergency" terming it a necessary step by a democratic government to preserve order in the country. The statement also said that "India would not allow its territory to be used by those inimical to Nepalese interest." The European Union Heads of Mission in Nepal in a press statement said, "EU Heads of Mission condemns these acts of violence in the severest terms. They place in jeopardy the prospects for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Nepal. We call urgently upon the leadership and cadres of the CPN-Maoist to desist at once from all such acts of violence and intimidation and to return to the search for a negotiated outcome...with very deep regret the EU Heads of Mission have observed the major violent attacks against the government of Nepal and its security officials, as well as against infrastructure targets, on a carefully planned and a systematic basis across various parts of Nepal since November 23."

The American Embassy in Kathmandu in a statement said, "The US condemns recent Maoist attacks and we call upon Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) activists to lay down their arms and pursue their goals peacefully, within the democratic framework established by Nepal's constitution. We support the government of Nepal's efforts within the constitution to protect its citizens and officials " State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said, "We have said we clearly support the Nepali government's efforts to protect its citizens and officials." A Nepalese official said that "the United States would provide 10 sophisticated, bullet proof helicopters free of charge to the government to help it "establish law and order in the country." The Deputy Assistant Secretary of state for South Asia, Donald A. Camp while visiting Kathmandu on Dec. 11 said," I am here on beh