Nepal: People Tell Maoists to Go Screw Themselves

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March 23, 2007: The Maoists are accusing the king of fomenting the anti-Maoist violence. But the king is isolated and largely ignored. It's the Maoists who are causing the trouble, by coming out of the hills and jungles, and trying to have their way with a population that will not put up with that sort of behavior. The Maoists are dismayed to discover that they are not the only unhappy, and violent, groups in the country. The Maoists aren't running a police state yet, so they don't have the means to just crack down on their opponents. The Maoist leaders appear confused at this development, and unsure of how they should proceed.

March 22, 2007: Businesses agreed to call off their nationwide strike, as Maoists promised to back off on the extortion.

March 21, 2007: In the south, clashes between ethnic Indians and Maoists left over 30 dead. The ethnic Indians (or Mahadhesis) are fed up with being pushed around by the Maoists, the government, and everyone in general. The immediate cause of the violence was a dispute over which group would use a field for a rally.

March 20, 2007: Maoist leaders apologized for the "excessive" fund raising by some of its members, and promised to ease up on the extortion.

March 19, 2007: Businesses in the capital, and across the nation, have gone on strike (closed) to protest increasing extortion efforts by Maoists. These now include kidnapping and beatings. The Maoists are demanding large sums (like over $100,000 from a tourist hotel) in "revolutionary taxes."

March 17, 2007: In the south, street battles between Mahadhesis (ethnic Indian groups) and members of the political party alliance (which currently controls the government with the Maoists), left over 70 injured. The Mahadhesis represent about a third of the population, and feel left out.

March 16, 2007: In the south, Maoists kidnapped and killed the leader of local ethnic Indians. This caused great anger.

March 15, 2007: The peace deal was put in doubt as the Maoists admitted, even boasted, of thousands of their gunmen, and their weapons, that did not get registered and interned.

 

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