The Unified CPN (Maoist) has announced fresh protest programmes against the President's move to block the erstwhile government's decision to dismiss the army chief, and in favour of 'civil supremacy'.
A meeting of the party's central secretariat held at party headquarters, Buddhanagar, decided to launch nationwide protests by mobilising all sister organisations from June 4.
"We have decided to launch protest movement to restore 'civil supremacy," said Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma.
According to Sharma, the party will stage demonstrations in front of the District Administration Offices of all 75 districts on June 4 and stage demonstrations in all VDCs throughout the nation from June 5.
The party has also formed a committee headed by senior leader Mohan Baidhya 'Kiran' to chart out detailed protest programmes and implement it. The meeting also directed heads of all sister organisations to mobilise their members in the agitation.
Sharma said his party would continue obstructing the House against the President's move.
CA chairman Subash Chandra Nemwang on Saturday decided not to take the resolution registered by the Maoists at the parliament for discussion.
"The parliament will be obstructed until civil supremacy is maintained," Sharma said. "We will again request the CA chairman to allow us move the resolution in the House." nepalnews.com ta May 31 09
A phone call with Barack Obama, the US president, helped achieve a breakthrough aquisition of General Motors' Opel unit by Canada's Magna, Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, has said.
"I spoke on the phone with the American president yesterday and we were in agreement that we had to do everything possible to come up with a good result for this complicated task," she said on Saturday.
"That conversation clearly influenced the negotiations last night."
Germany approved a plan for the auto parts maker Magna to move ahead with a rescue of General Motor's Opel unit on Saturday morning.
"Because of the special [GM/Opel] structures, the talks were a real test of transatlantic relations," she said.
The first Republic Day was marked on Friday amid much fanfare at Sainik Manch in Tundikhel. The Constituent Assembly had declared Nepal a Republican state on Jestha 15 last year. President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Vice President Paramanda Jha, PM Madhav Kumar Nepal, Speaker Subas Nembang and Chief Justice Min Bahadur Rayamajhi took part in the programme by releasing doves, while army helicopters showered flower petals from above. Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel took part in the parade and also presented cultural shows on the occasion. Only a handful of CA members from the Unified CPN-Maoist attended the programme. Later, at a function organised by the President at Shital Niwas to mark the occasion, PM Nepal expressed apprehension that the growing misunderstanding among the major parties could derail the peace process. “The task of bringing the peace process to a logical end, writing of the new constitution and safeguarding sovereignty of our people may remain incomplete if differences are not settled at the earliest,” he said. “The failure to accomplish the duty will give a bad name to the leaders,” he added. Stating that the new constitution could only be drafted on the basis of consensus, cooperation and unity among the parties, Nepal pledged that the CPN-UML -led government would succeed in bringing the peace process to a logical end and ensuring good governance. He also expressed concern about the worsening law and order situation across the nation. The PM today also laid the foundation of Republic Monument at Ratnapark. Sources close to the PM said that the the monument would be unveiled by the time the new constitution would be ready for promulgation. The government has allocated Rs 50 million to construct the monument. Maoist leaders did not attend the foundation-laying programme.
Police arrested 134 people and more than 150 were injured as Barcelona's Champions League victory celebrations descended into riots.
Around 100,000 people spilled onto the streets of the Catalan capital after Barcelona's 2-0 triumph over Manchester United in Rome.
But the carnival atmosphere turned ugly after midnight when youths began clashing with police around Las Ramblas, the city's most famous street.
Youths hurled bottles as they tried to storm through metal barricades keeping a mob back from shops, prompting a surge by baton-wielding riot officers.
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control rioters, who damaged lampposts, telephone kiosks and bus stops, media reports said.
Terrified passersby cowered behind walls as the clashes intensified.
A police statement said 119 arrests were made for public order offences in the city and a total of 134 in the wider Catalan region.
A total of 153 people were injured, said the statement. While most of the injuries were minor, 23 needed hospital treatment.
Spain's TVE public television said one of its camaraman was among those hurt.
The statement said police had issued "repeated warnings" to the rioters.
The celebrations had started peacefully as thousands of joyous fans, many draped in the dark red and blue of their club, let off fireworks and honked horns.
"Yes, yes, yes, the Cup is here," shouted supporters.
"I am so happy, we deserved this victory. we're going to stay out all night as long as the police don't move us on," said one young fan, Jordi, at the Canaletes fountain on the Ramblas, where fans traditionally celebrate.
Many fans mocked rivals Real Madrid, who ended the season trophyless -- Barca's own fate for the past two seasons until new coach Pep Guardiola rejuvenated the team this year.
Several other towns in the Catalan region also celebrated, such as Tarragona, Gerona and Lleida.
And in the Spanish capital, Catalans jumped into the fountain in the Plaza Cibeles, the traditional site for celebrations by Real supporters.
The team was meanwhile expected back at Barcelona's airport on Thursday ahead of a victory parade on an open-top bus through the city to the club's Camp Nou stadium.
Barca fans had already twice gorged on success in recent days after their team won the Spanish title and lifted the Spanish Cup.
"Champions! (three times)", headlined the Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia.
Barca and their supporters have experienced "the greatest night in their history," it said.
The nation's top-selling paper, El Pais, said Barcelona now has "a legendary triple crown" and is "at the top of the world."
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero -- a Barcelona supporter -- hailed it as the "dream team" and predicted the country would now do the treble.
"We've won the European Cup, today the Champions League and now we will win the World Cup," a beaming Zapatero, who attended the final in Rome with King Juan Carlos, told Spanish television.
TEHRAN: Iranian officials Friday accused the US of hiring those behind a suicide bombing of a Shiite mosque in southeastern Iran that killed 23 people and linked the attack to next month's presidential vote. "Three people involved with the terrorist incident were arrested," Jalal Sayah, deputy provincial governor of the Sistan-Baluchistan province that borders Pakistan and Afghanistan, told Fars news agency. "According to the information obtained they were hired by America and the agents of the arrogance," Sayah said. Iranian officials usually use the term "global arrogance" in reference to Iran's arch-foe the United States. The suicide attack during Thursday evening prayers at the Shiite Amir al-Momenin mosque in Zahedan, the restive capital of Sistan-Baluchistan, killed 23 people and wounded 125 others. "This catastrophe was a suicide terrorist attack," Zahedan MP Payman Foroozesh told ILNA news agency. Provincial justice chief Ebrahim Hamidi said the attacker "had stood in the last line of male worshippers during the evening prayer, carried out the bombing and died." Hamidi told ISNA news agency that one person had been arrested for the bombing and "charged with armed opposition and acting against national security. But his motive cannot be presented for the moment." He said most attacks in the restive province were carried out by a Sunni rebel group headed by ring leader Abdolmalek Rigi, but he could not confirm whether the group could be blamed for Thursday's bombing. Iran's former premier and presidential hopeful Mir Hossein Mousavi too blamed "foreign forces" for Thursday's attack. Mousavi at a media conference with journalists from international news networks said incidents such as the mosque bombing "have either been influenced or supported by foreign forces." "The fewer foreign forces in the region, the more security there is. They provoke extremism in the region such as the incident in Zahedan," said Mousavi, one of four candidates standing in the June 12 presidential election. Iran has in the past blamed US and British agents based in neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan for launching attacks on border provinces with significant ethnic minority populations. Sistan-Baluchistan province has a large ethnic Baluch minority. Ali Mohammad Azad, the governor general of the province, said the attack was part of a plan by "bandits and terrorists" to disturb the "order in the province before the election considering the insecurity in the eastern neighbouring countries." He was quoted by the official IRNA news agency late Thursday as blaming "terrorists" for the explosion. "The members of the terrorist group intended to explode bombs in some other areas of Zahedan, but they have been arrested due to the efforts of the provincial intelligence office." According to IRNA, Zahedan's Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Abbas Ali Soleymani told reporters that "one of the main persons involved (in the attack) had been arrested" and "he will soon be punished in front of the mosque." Fars said the mosque is the second biggest Shiite mosque in Zahedan and also a "gathering place for revolutionary Shiites." On February 18, Al-Gadhir mosque in Zahedan was attacked. A bomb apparently carried by a motorcyclist exploded but caused no casualties. The last major attack in Zahedan was a February 2007 strike by suspected Sunni rebels that killed 13 elite Revolutionary Guards. Thursday was a public holiday in Iran to mourn the death of Fatima Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed. In recent years, Sistan-Baluchistan has been the scene of a deadly insurgency by Sunni rebels of the Jundullah (Soldiers of God) group, headed by Rigi, which is strongly opposed to the government of predominantly Shiite Iran. The province also lies on a major narcotics-smuggling route from Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Barcelona stunned holders Manchester United to win their third UEFA Champions League crown with a 2-0 victory in Rome on Wednesday.Goals from shining stars Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi gave the Catalans a deserved victory and denied United from becoming the first team to retain the title since the European Cup became the Champions League in 1993. It also gave the Spaniards a unique treble having already won their domestic league and Copa del Rey and meant they repeated a feat United achieved in 1999, which Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson had then claimed would never be matched. The victory crowned a marvellous debut season for Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, who at 38 becomes the youngest coach to take European club football's greatest prize.
For Thierry Henry it ended years of frustration especially when his then team Arsenal lost to Barcelona in the 2006 final. "Finally I have won it! I have been waiting for so long for this moment," said the France great, whose daughter celebrated her birthday as well on Wednesday. "The last five minutes were the longest of my life. Even if we were 2-0 up we were playing the best team in the world (referring to the FIFA Club World Cup title United won earlier this year)."
United on early Barça overcame early jitters to dominate large parts of the game as the English club never managed to get their usual high tempo style into gear. In a clash billed as the match of the century pitting the best two teams in the world - with each one boasting one of the best two players on the planet - only one played to their full potential.
Both sides made a nervy start with Barça goalkeeper Victor Valdes and United's Park - the first ever Asian player to play in a Champions League final - playing passes straight into touch. But United settled quickest and Ronaldo had a purple patch in which he terrorised the Spaniards for 10 minutes. He hit a 25-yard free-kick that Valdes couldn't hold and former United defender Gerard Pique had to dive in to deflect Park's follow-up away for a corner.
Danny Boyle set up a trust which is supposed to look after the child stars
Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle and the trust he set up have bought a new home for one of the child stars of his Oscar-winning movie.
The filmmaker, who is currently in Mumbai, has told Azharuddin Ismail, 9, he will be re-housed after his family was made to leave the slums.
Boyle, who has been criticised for not helping the child actors enough, blamed the press for raising expectations.
"Inevitably, the tension and pressure is media generated," he said.
'Emergencies'
He said he hoped a new home would also be found for Rubina Ali, who played Latika, before the monsoon rains in June.
"They were given access to a world, an extraordinary and glamorous world, and they understandably want their lives to be completely transformed," he said.
Soon after the movie was finished, Boyle and producer Christian Colson set up the Jai Ho trust, which was aimed to help the children financially until they turned 18.
"The homes are a concern. That is one of the reasons why we built the trust," Boyle said.
"We have been trying to accelerate the process of re-housing the families, and one of the reasons we set up the trust is to deal with emergencies like this," said Colson.
A director for the trust said the apartment for Ismail, who played the young Salim, was "comfortable, in a good neighbourhood [and] near his school".
In February, the state housing authority said it would give the two children apartments, but the families had not heard from them, said Ali's father Rafiq Qureshi.
"It has been five to six months. Everything is available in Mumbai if you have the money," he said.
"If you really want to get us a house you can get us a house in two days."
Earlier this month, the authorities tore the children's slum homes down.
Since then Rubina has been staying with relatives and Azhar was living in a makeshift shanty with his parents.
This is my ongoing thesis report which is still incomplete.I put this article for the readers of my blog just because my readers can understand the real Maiost idealogy as well the past brutal conflict where more than 15000 people were died : Rajan Subedi
Conflict is a serious disagreement, struggle, and fight arising out of differences of opinions, wishes, needs, values, and interests between and among individuals, groups and between the communities (Hornby, 1995)[1]In other words,conflict is a struggle between and among individuals or groups over values and claims to scarce resources, status symbols, and power bases. The objective of the individuals or groups engaged in conflict is to neutralize, injure or eliminate their rivals so that they can enjoy the scarce resources, the status symbols, and power bases (Coser, 1956)[2]. It is not surprising to read that conflict is conceived as a purposeful struggle between collective actors who use social power to defeat or remove opponents in order to gain status, resources and push their values over other social groupings (Himes, 1980)[3]. Conflict is prevalent within and between social relations such as families, ethnic groups, social institutions and organizations, political parties’ and states. Further, it is prevalent in situations where the goals, aspirations, interests, and needs of the social groups cannot be achieved simultaneously and the value systems of such groups are at variance. Invariably, the social parties purposely employ their power bases to fight for their position with a view to defeat, neutralize or eliminate one another (Anstey, 1991)[4].
‘Conflict’ is an ambiguous word that carries different meanings to different people in different contexts. The genesis of conflict is contextual based. As it is described in the Cambridge dictionary[5], ‘conflict’ is “an active disagreement between people with opposing opinions or principles”, “fighting between two or more groups of people or countries”. Warner (2001)[6] argues that conflict can refer to a debate or contest, a disagreement, argument, dispute, quarrel, a struggle, battle or confrontation, or a state of unrest, turmoil or chaos violence. Like wise, Walker and Daniels (1997)[7] argue that conflict is an active stage of disagreement between people with opposing opinions, principles and practices manifested in different forms (grievance, conflict and dispute).However, conflict is a disagreement over “others”. Conflict forms/creates a clear demarcation between “I” and “You”, “We” and “Them”. Hence, conflict is generally interpreted as the opposite of peace though it is inevitable for a (sustainable) transformation.
Conflicts normally occur when one feels segregated from the totality, feels “minority” that forces to realize where “s/he” is. The dominated, suppressed, or neglected form of identity fosters the feeling of “I” and “you” and “we” and “them”. This is the beginning of a conflict where one group or a person disagrees with the other. Such disagreements, if not managed in the “whole” lead to further development of conflict and in some cases take the form of “armed conflict” if the conflicts find fertile breeding ground, supported either by poverty, social, religious, ethnic or political ideological exclusion. Since the genesis of a conflict is contextual based, it contributes in the totality accordingly. We can also distinguish conflict in two major kinds; say a “good force” leading to welfare of people and “bad force” leading to destruction and disharmony as a goal. Therefore, the nature, intention and context of conflict are important aspects to look at. Interestingly, any thing whether good or bad, as we perceive is the product of the totality itself and it does appear in the totality as a part of it during the process of evolution and transformation. Conflict, therefore is a part of the whole that appears therein during the process of evolution and transformation. Conflicts represent the contemporary state, process and nature of transformation in the totality. Hence, the new ideas and thoughts emerging in different forms and levels at a particular place and time as “conflict” are something very important that give hints of how evolution and transformation is taking place at a particular time and space giving a possibility to further conceptualization in the whole.
The emergence of Khmer Rouge and Al Quada are also the product of the whole which can be characterized as a “bad force” which have claimed the lives of thousands of people and the goal was probably not the welfare of the people in general. On the other hand, in case of Nepal although the consequences of the conflict when we look at the human right abuse, is severe and the conflict has already claimed more than 11000 lives, which is another part of the conflict, may not be equally compared with the “bad forces”
Since the objective of the revolution, as they say, is welfare of people and elimination of “social inequality”[8]. The genesis and the context of Nepalese conflict are different.
1. Emergence of ‘good force’ and ‘bad force’ during the course of evolution and social transformation.
The process of evolution which occurs in many dimensions during social transformation is really complex. In such a complexity both negative and positive forces emerge and do act accordingly. Good forces are supported by majority of people though less at the time of emergence and they are less supported by military and some times no military support at all. Bad forces are heavily supported by military rather than people. During the course of evolution “good force” and “bad force” emerge, at times get blended in the mainstream or vanish, and sometimes even lead mainstream. The 1990 revolution in Nepal to over throw Panchayat was led by “good force” and had no military support at all which formed new mainstream and led it. It was a good example of inclusion of the “conflicting ideology” in the whole. Sometimes the “bad forces” lead the mainstream, of course with a help of heavy military support which at some point of evolution collapses because military support is less strong than the support of people in terms of sustenance of “ideology or power”. The collapse of Nazi and down fall of communism from the Eastern Europe can be cited as an example. However, it is not good to treat the new ideas and thoughts as “nothing”. Even the conflicts leading to destruction rather than construction can give some inputs to enlarge understanding and to search new paths to further conceptualize in the “whole”. Hence, opposing ideas though contradictory with the establishment should be treated as parts of the whole and should be given a careful attention about the intention of it’s emergence in the whole. The contextual base and the intention of the conflict is to be analyzed in such a way that the conflicts get blended in the mainstream, especially the “good force” otherwise, in most cases it develops into arm conflict in the later stage, if not all. Feeling of exclusion forces and directs people for confrontation that threatens and makes people feel unsafe. Lack of political, social and even economic safety and security is one of the causes of people’s movement. The social and economic cost of staying and migrating is always calculated before a migration takes place (Neumayer, 2004)[9]. Because of armed conflicts, forced migration becomes a compulsion for people though the social and economic cost is higher for migration. Migration be it “in-country” or “international”, is mostly due to armed conflicts and lack of peace, which shatters the economic, social and political stability in a country. Therefore, such conflicts are the major causes of migration too. Generally, we see two kinds of migrations.
1.1. Voluntary Migration:
Unlike forced migration, voluntary migration is willingly done, in which one plans to settle in a new place. Because of the development in communication and transportation it has enabled people to explore new places of their suitability. The people of economically better off strata and academicians also do migrate voluntarily because of their works and possibility to further explore their talents. Family reunion is also another cause of migration. This sort of migration comparatively does not negatively affect the system because it takes slowly and is planned to some extent before migration takes place.
1.2. Forced Migration:
Forced migration is one of the worst scourges that torment humankind (Malender and
Öberg,2004)[10]. Armed conflict is the most obvious cause of forced migration and is consistently found to have significant effects on the magnitude of forced migration (ibid: p4-5). Moore and Spellman (2002)[11] argue that state repression is one of the causes that lead to forced migration as it is one of the results of armed conflict. The main determinants of forced migration, as mentioned in many researches are in-country war, genocide, dissident violence and state repression, with economic non violent and demographic factors (Malender and Öberg, 2004)[12]. The intra state conflict is also found to be a strong factor to forced migration. Human right abuse can cause severe forced migration. However, Migration in general is also a part of social transformation and therefore can not be completely prevented. If migration takes place at a large scale, especially the forced migration, it leads to hamper development process and social fabric affecting the strength of a society. Disturbances in development process and incoherence in societies cause problem in peace keeping. Hence, conflict, migration, development and peace go together and do form a network. By any reason, if one of them is disturbed the whole network gets threatened and peace shattered.
2. Emergence of Maoism in Nepal:
The Maoist movement began by the Feb.16; 1996.Maoist read the minds of the poor, disadvantaged and frustrated people, especially in the remote western Nepal. The regionhad/has been neglected by the state in terms of development and basic infrastructure, argued as spatial and horizontal imbalance (Murshed,2003)[13], therefore became a fertile ground for the inception of Maoism. The people in Nepal mostly do have a view that rich people send their children in private schools and poor ones in public schools. The result shows that the production of private schools is better and competitive than that of the public schools (in majority). This has created a boarder between private schools and public school.
The highest poverty rate is measured in the rural mid and far western hills and Mountain where the Maoist found a suitable breeding environment. Maoist conceptualized that the existing feudal structure from the village to the capital, is the main obstacle to Nepal’s Underdevelopment”. Therefore, on this understanding they forwarded forty points agenda (Hutt, 2004: 285-87)[14], demanded a grand discussion in the parliament and if possible a change in the constitution. It does not mean that the entire problem would have been solved or eliminated even if the agenda was discussed in the parliament. It also does not guarantee that it would have prevented the rebellions to raise guns even if it was openly discussed in the parliament. The question is that, had it been discussed as a part of the evolutionary process of the “whole” I think it would have at least provided a space to take a different direction, because the demands, as one can see, were addressing the very basic needs of citizens and institutional changes in order to set up a relative egalitarian society. But it was blindly refused which forced them to work underground and raise arms in order to make a change in the whole. As a result, they announced people’s war as the only way to over come the existing chronic social, political and economic problem. Manandhar (2004)[15] mentions “the Maoist claim ‘People’s War” was inevitable because all the attempts to carry out reforms within the old ‘semi-feudal’ system had failed. The BBC new analysis says “their anger at the plight of the rural poor - prompted them to take up arms”[16] .Gradually; the CPN (M) is expanding its influence and has been able to take a large area completely under its control. They have also developed strong guerrilla fighters, militia and brigade level army equipped with modern weapons and able to control a large portion of the country, around 70-90 percentage ( Upreti , 2004:2)[17].Raising taxes, forming their own government and expansion of the military as well as non military activities are taking place. The movement has already claimed more than 15000 lives and thousand have been forced to migrate. The figure illustrates the conflict
The conflict in Nepal since the inception of the Maoist movement on Feb-16, 1996 has passed through three stages. In the beginning the underground rebellions were the target of both the palace and parliamentary parties where as in the second stage there was a time when they all were target of each other (a big confusion!). At present, especially, after the Royal take-over, the entire environment and politics has dramatically changed. The Maoist and parliamentary parties protesting the Royal takeover is largely in favour of a change. Interestingly, this is one of the achievements of the conflict, because the very change was refused before. Hence, at present, the situation is such that the CPNM and the parliamentary parties are anti palace though they don’t accept each other’s methodological approach to end the ongoing conflict.
3.Causes of conflict in Nepal
The decision to take arms is a complex process involving many actors in a wide range of conditions and circumstances.
3.1. Socio-economic, Cultural and Political failure:
Nepal, a small country between two giant forces; the India and China, has its own geopolitical foundation since long .Geographically; Nepal seems to be small but is rich in cultural diversity. The World Bank (2004) reports US$ 260. The national budget largely depends on international loans and grants which has been one of the major drawbacks of Nepali economy. Chadda (2000:124)[18] mentions that though Nepal received heavy foreign aid poverty increased. Most reports say that 60% of the total development budget is dependent on foreign aids and donations. On the other hand, high magnitude of loans and lack of proper planning has fostered economic gap among the people. In the later half of 1990s political failure opened a possibility for corruption and abuse of authority in the country. Consequently, the country has been forced to step backward economically and politically even after the restoration of democracy in 1990. Upreti (2002:82)[19] gives an argument that the persistence of poverty is the outcome of inappropriate use of foreign aid and misallocation and abuse of national resources by the government Deraniyagala (2005)[20] argues that the “income poverty” has accelerated during the period of economic liberalization. The chronic problem of corruption, mismanagement of the national as well as foreign aids has caused economic situation worse. The regional imbalance in planning is another aspect to look at. Murshed et al (2003) clearly articulate that there is a spatial and horizontal imbalance in Nepal. Development budgets were largely focused in cities and towns. The agricultural sector which is the main base of rural economy and source of income for more than 80% of the population was/has been less prioritized. One of the major parts of agricultural growth, irrigation facility is very low in Nepal. Only 35% of the total cultivated area has provision of irrigation at least one season (Deraniyagala & Sharma, 2003)[21].Elimination of subsidies in fertilizer also helped to deteriorate agricultural sector, especially the small farmer. This, be it either because of unawareness or negligence, ultimately created a huge imbalance between the rural/village and urban economy.
To improve economy of the country, as it is said, there had been many changes made in the name of industrialization, liberalization and facilities with subsidies. There are many sources of argument Pandey (1999)[22] argue that despite the country’s planned development efforts since first democracy in 1950, the basic indicators of life and the economy have in most cases even deteriorated or remained almost the same.
The reason is that the poor did not benefit even from structural adjustment programs. The socio-economic condition of many people remained almost the same though the percapita income went up. In fact, poverty has further accelerated even after the restoration of democracy in 1990 which has been heavily supported by the unstable political situation. Consequently, the poor became poorer comparative to that of the past. The gap between the poor and rich went up which has helped to found a critical thinking among the people about their socio- economic status. The accessibility of the resources like health, education and income sources are not within easy access to majority. People of economically and socially better off strata educate their children in private schools and even can afford for education abroad; where as, the poor can not even send their children to the local public schools. Nearly 30% of children still lack access to primary education (Khatiwada, 2003)[23]. The case is almost same with health sector.
If we look at more than two century long history it is very clear that the feudal political economy, as well elite biased socio-cultural structure has been dominant factor in Nepal. The first democracy established in 1950 was unfortunately snatched away by the King Mahendra, the father of the present King Gyanendra in 1960 giving an explanation that multiparty system in Nepal could not work to maintain harmony. He might have been afraid of the growing consciousness among people regarding freedom, democracy and development which definitely could be an unbearable threat to the palace if not dealt in time. Therefore, he might have taken an undemocratic and of course autocratic step in order to suppress the newly emerging “people’s consciousness” and provide a new identity under his direct rule so that the newly blooming consciousness fades away. The poor minds were again forced to accept the king a “supreme” subject. Obviously, this was the foundation for inception of party less Panchayat system under his direct leadership. The Rastraiya Panchayat (national council), Jilla Panchayat at the district level and Village Panchayat at the lower level were the clear divisions of political institutional decentralization but were directly monitored by the upper levels and of course, the center.It was a very good institutional chain to monitor from central to the village level to give .Good way to spread the party-less Panchayat system in order to foster “Absolute Monarchism”. The Panchayat system lasted until the beginning of 1990.The thirty year long (1960-1990) Panchayat monopoly was shattered in 1990 through the Jana-andolan (people’s revolution) and multiparty democracy was established. A new constitution was formulated. The new constitution formulated in 1990 explains that Nepal is a country of multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy. The constitution gives supreme power to the king even to dissolve the parliament in case of so called “problematic situation” .The king is the supreme commander of the Royal Nepalese Army, as the constitution declares. There are some other questionable articles[24] like: “No question shall be raised in any court about any act performed by His Majesty”, “The income and personal property of His Majesty shall be exempt from all kinds of tax, fee or other similar charge”.
Despite the transition to democracy in 1990, traditional elites and upper castes continued to dominate the state apparatus and left wing parties were marginalized within the political process (Deraniyagala, 2005:56)[25].The result was political instability and conflict.The political parties could not make clear and far-sighted vision for the development of the country. Their intra-party conflict and personal interests paved the way for the palace to emerge at the political forum. Sedan and Hussein (2002:9)[26] mention
that;… a short period of considerable optimism, it became increasingly evident that the new political order was characterized by instability, corruption and patronage (a crisis of governance) and that a rapid succession of governments was unable to achieve any real headway in addressing Nepal’s continuing economic underdevelopment and deep-seated social inequalities. In this already unstable context – and ostensibly in response to it – an armed insurgency began in February 1996, led by Nepali Maoists.
In fact, the period post 1990s has divided people in different ways and has fostered for the search of sense of ethnic identity and civic consciousness. During this period, to some extent, dominance of Brahman and Chetri has been questioned (Bista, 1991)[27].No doubt, it is a contribution of globalization. Especially, the NGOs, rural political activities and freedom in media have contributed remarkably though consensus in the national level seemed to be lacking among the political parties. Post 1990s multiparty and democratic political system in Nepal has given possibility of commercialization of the education system which is one of the reasons of further isolating poor people to some degree. The two systems of education (private for the rich and public/government for the poor) have created a sentiment of discrimination among the people. This has created an immense social stratification and severe strife in the society. The gender inequality, cultural as well as legal pluralism (Upreti, 2002)[28] also have contributed much for the ongoing conflict. This is the reason that within the period of ten years the country has witnessed despair in democracy due to the extremely poor performance of the government and lack of institutionalized bureaucracy. The bureaucracy in Nepal was highly influenced as the change of government. Hence, the political parties are blamed of not creating an environment where people could feel a real democracy and enjoy safety. Less participation of the public and even the civil society in the present movement launched by the parliamentary parties against royal take over is the result of what the political parties have offered to the people in the past. It does not mean that the movement will not be supported but may take some time.
3.2. The System Failure: A Cause of Conflict and Migration
In fact, the historical process shows that there were many hidden and neglected aspects that fostered the presently ongoing conflict in Nepal. Seddon and Hussein (2002:8) clearly and strongly argue that;
A historical perspective reveals that a failure of development and of governance created the pre-conditions – poverty, inequality, social discrimination and lack of social justice and democracy – for widespread discontent, and ultimately for the Maoist insurgency. Not only has the government been ineffective in providing for the needs of the poor, it is generally seen and experienced as corrupt, repressive and as working against, not for, the interests of ordinary people. International and national development agencies have also failed to strengthen the capacity and commitment of state structures or to change practices at local level to any marked degree.
As has been argued by Deraniyagala(2005), the economic aspect has played an important role for the growth and sustenance of the conflict in Nepal. There are social and political reasons as well. The growing frustration of the people in the remote areas, joblessness, insecurity, and social discrimination, feudal structure that dominated the socially and economically poor has fuelled the conflict. The 235 year long social and economic structure, the governing system of promoting and providing protection to the elite, power cantered system, discriminatory social practices are some of the main causes behind the existing armed conflict (Upreti, 2004). The Maoist looked at all these “social evils” and targeted the constitution and the palace as the sole problem of the country. They were able to attract and lure the frustrated mind which is one of the reasons of the growth of the ongoing conflict. Intensity of the conflict and migration: weakening of development and peace.
The conflict in the Himalayan kingdom seems to be growing gradually. The failures of political parties and growing conflict created the conducive ground for the royal take over, announcement of state of emergency and thereby home-arrest of most of the political leaders in the beginning of the Royal-takeover. Restriction for the leaders to travel (though temporarily), media censorship and human right abuse are the direct consequences of conflict and hijacking of democracy in the country. King’s willingness, of course, with the support of Army to be an active monarch and the Maoist’s goal to establish peoples republic though they at preset might agree for constitutional assembly (which is not acceptable to the palace, as it is seen from the very beginning), international forces not in a collective and a single views shows a symptom of intensification of the conflict. The former parliamentary parties though protesting together do give different views at that time, which is an indication of lack of strong unity among them. The resuming of the Indian military support though said non- lethal, which was suspended after the king’s take over in Feb. might intensify the ongoing conflict. The Maoist claim that it’s people’s war is in the third phase- the “strategic offensive” phase, which is supposed to mark a change in it’s military strategy from “decentralized” to “centralized action” to Keep the unified command of security forces on a defensive and encircle the city from villages(FES,2004)[29]. As reaction, the Kings government has adopted a policy not to allow the mobiles phones and many other forms of telephones, especially in the regions where Maoist have strong hold. According to the present government, it is done in order to prevent the rebellion to be able to run communication and easy movement. Though it is said that it has weakened Maoist network, which partly may be true in terms of communication but in reality they seem to be continuing their struggle and growing. Recent clash in Kalikot in western Nepal is one of the examples where RNA has faced heavy casualties after Royal takeover. Likewise, the open views from king, indicates the rare possibility negotiation with political parties because though the king expresses the willingness to democracy it has been executed in practice, as the parties argue. Hence such a situation hints that there is a less possibility of negotiation for peace, therefore fosters conflict further. “One family one militia” strategy adopted by the Maoist is another threat for the civil society. Which has forced many families and youth to flee .Human right abuse in different periods like abduction and brutal killing are very common from both of the warring parties. There have been already 400 children killed and more than 20000 internally dispalced so far.
After the 19 days of glorious strike of Nepalese people against the former king Gynendra people of Nepal became of the citizen of new republic of Nepal. Maoist of Nepal were also agreed to come in political mainstream after the 12 point common agreement between the main political parties of Nepal and also gained public support in Constitutional Election which was held in 2008.Maoist party became a largest political party of Nepal and also formed the government in the leadership of Maoist leader Puspakamal Dahal.
But this government has also face the same problem like earlier because Maoist loose support from its coalition partner as well other political parties regarding the sacking issues of Military General of Nepal army.
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