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| Evolution of Maoism in Nepal : Understanding Maoist Insurgency from Wider Perspective |
 PRINTABLE VERSION |
In 2004 India provided a grant of over Rs. 100 crores to Nepal to enable it buy Indian defense equipment. Nepal wanted upgrades of India-designed INSAS rifles and ammunition and an increase in the supply of advanced light helicopters and mine protection vehicles. Nepal also bought arms from Belgium, Poland and the United Kingdom.
Among the states offering this assistance India had a special interest in the curtailing the activities of the Nepalese Maoists. In India the Naxalite movement that had begun in 1967 had metamorphosed in three decades into a major movement affecting almost 159 districts in over 12 states. The merging of the People’s War Group and the Maoists Communist Center of India in 2004 to form the CPI- Maoist has become a major cause for concern. What is even more disturbing to the Indian Government is the evidence of linkages between the CPI Maoists and the Maoists of Nepal. This strategic alliance has opened up their avenues for movement of persons and materials. It has also led to the creation of safe havens and the extension of training facilities for each other. The two groups seek to create a corridor called the Compact Revolutionary Zone (CRZ) that would stretch from Nepal to Andhra Pradesh running through Bihar, Jharkand, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The Indian Maoists have already sufficient influence in these areas and using the infrastructure put up by them would be a boon for the Nepal Maoists. The CRZ would ensure free and easy movement for both groups.
Impact of the Conflict
Nepal borders on lawlessness. The Himalayan Kingdom of 23 million people has been wracked by the Maoist insurgency for the last seven years. Fourteen governments have taken office since the restoration of democracy in 1990 and the great expectations of the Jana Andolan-which it would usher a new era of prosperity for all, have yet to materialize due to continuing political turmoil and social unrest. Furthermore, only a small segment of the society, i.e. elites, those who were already rich to begin with, seemed to benefit disproportionately during this period. Twelve years on, the country still finds itself in near complete disarray as a result of the ongoing political, social, and economic turmoil.
The rebellion has affected every single Nepali. Unfortunately, much of the discourse on the conflict in Nepal is concentrated on its political aspect while very little attention has been given to the conflict’s socioeconomic cost. When the first peace talks between the Maoists and the government took place in 2001, the debate was exclusively on politics.
It is believed that the insurgency has cost Nepal eight to 10 percent of its GDP. Forty percent of the Village Development Committee (VDC) buildings have been destroyed and following the dissolution of local bodies by the Deuba government, local commerce and development activities have come to a grinding halt. The inadequate rural infrastructure remains in ruin including power plants, electricity grid and telecommunication towers, all prime Maoist targets. Nearly 2000 schools, mostly private, have also been periodically closed. Health centers and schools, which depend on government grants to VDCs, are without medicines and school supplies. Widespread fears of Maoists and security forces, and lack of economic opportunities have forced more than half a million people to leave their rural homes and head to district headquarters, Katmandu and even India.
In areas most affected by the insurgency there have been perceptible demographic changes. Women now head most households in the absence of men and boys as many have left homes due to fears of forced conscription by the Maoists and routine harassment by the security forces. Evidences of increasing reliance on remittance notwithstanding, many overseas Nepalis are shying away from sending money to their families in the villages due to fears of extortion.
At first, the Maoists were able to capture the public imagination with strong opposition to perceived inequality and injustices - such as patriarchy, polygamy, child marriage, gambling and drinking. They also dealt harshly with individuals who they identified as corrupt, which often would include village elites and the police. Much of this goodwill was squandered when they resorted to indiscriminate violence.
Another area that has been affected dramatically is the rural healthcare sector. While the Maoists have generally been supportive of immunization, these programs have greatly suffered in recent years due to poor level of social mobilization. Many international donor agencies have totally withdrawn from Nepal due to the poor security situation. One of the study revealed that in the Maoist affected districts; rates of malnutrition are exceptionally high - 62 percent in Achham, 69 in Jajarkot, 78 in Jumla and 83 in Kalikot. These rates of malnutrition are worse than what is evident in the current emergencies that the world is paying attention to - 63 percent in North Korea and 52 percent in Ethiopia and Afghanistan. According to the World Health Organization any region with 40 percent of malnutrition is a serious public health concern.
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Writer Profile
Manish Thapa
I am Manish Thapa from Nepal. I was born in 6th March 1981.I am pursuing Advanced International Study Program in Peace and Conflict Studies in European University Center fro Peace Studies (EPU), Austria, under Austrian Development Cooperation Fellowship.
I contribute regularly in Nepal Samacharpatra Daily (Nepali Daily Newspaper). Basically in Samacharpatra, I report about Development Issues and Human rights issues. I also contribute regularly in various development journals like Development Insight and Development Journal of Nepal.
I am also member of Vienna based International Press Institute (IPI) which is the global Body of International Press. IPI Nepal National Coordination Committee is working in Nepal to maintain Free, Fair and Ethical Journalism Practices.
Beside journalism, I am also running a Youth NGO called Youth Advocacy Group (YAG). YAG is a youth led NGO and I am serving as its President. YAG works with more than 10.000 youths in Nepal on different issues. YAG is a forum for youths of Nepal. Here in YAG we promote Youth Advocacy and Activism. Beside this we also run awareness campaigns on Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, Skill Based Training, Youth Empowerment Initiatives, Youth Journalism Project etc. On YAG, I am basically involved in formulating its plans and policies, fundraising activities and involved in training young people about Journalism.
I am also serving as Consultant (Program & Research) in Social Promotion and Integrated Development Center. Social Promotion and Integrated Development Center (SPIDC) is leading women led NGO in Nepal. I am consulting them on the issues related to Women Empowerment Activities and giving them training on Advocacy of Women Empowerment Issues at a national level.
I am actively involved with Taking IT Global Project (TIG). I am a active member of TIG and involved in many projects led by TIG such as Global Youth Advocacy Network (GYAN), "Speak Up for 2015 Campaign", MDG Asia Pacific Group etc.
Time to time, I involve myself in a consultancy job in various INGOs and UN organization. Recently I involved in UNFPA project called Reproductive Health Initiative For Youths in Asia (RHIYA) to write a booklet on “Meeting Generation Gap in Sexual Reproductive Health” and “Advocacy Leaflet on Sensitizing Sexual Reproductive Health Issues”.
I am currently involved with Mountain Resources Management Group an INGO with their Peace and Development Initiatives by preparing them various literatures on the Issues of peace and development. MRMG is working with The Carter Center of USA to initiate Peace Talks between the Government and the Maoist. The entire campaign is lead by President Jimmy Carter of USA.
So these are some of my activities on which I am currently engaged in. So summarizing my profile I can simply regard me myself as a Journalist, Youth Activist and a Development worker.
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