April 4, 2007:
The Maoists are having a hard time controlling the many armed factions
that comprise their movement. The faction leaders are feeling increasingly
independent, and some are going into business for themselves. A recent series
of raids, including a bank robbery, just across the border in India, was considered
the work of Nepalese Maoists. India is moving more police and troops to the
border to avert this sort of thing. According to the peace deal, these armed
Maoist factions should not be out there. The government has demanded that any
armed Maoists surrender their weapons within the week.
April 1, 2007: The Maoists officially joined the
government, with six of the 22 ministers being Maoists. This interim government
will hold elections within two months,
that select those who will write a new constitution.
March 31, 2007: Maoists throughout the country are
asserting their power, and making themselves unpopular because of the bullying.
Maoists have threatened journalists, for writing unfavorable articles, and
continue to extort money from businesses.
March 26, 2007:
In the southeast, demonstrations have been banned, in order to avoid
more clashes between Maoists and ethnic Indian militants. The Maoists blame India for stirring up the
ethnic Indians, but the Mahadhesis
(ethnic Indian groups) don't need any outsiders to stir them up.
