September 19, 2007: The Maoists, unable to bully the political parties into deposing the monarchy, have quit the government. The monarchy issue was to have been negotiated by the delegates selected in the upcoming vote. But the Maoists seemed more intent on getting their way via threats and intimidation. Leaving the government and threatening a resumption of their armed rebellion, was the latest bit of bullying. In part, the Maoists are responding to rebels within their own ranks. Younger Maoists want to proceed with the revolution. These younger activists are forming large groups and taking control of remote villages. The outnumbered police follow orders and refrain from using force. The Maoist plan now appears to carry out large scale protests, disrupt the elections in two months, and bully the government into doing what the Maoists want. The Maoists are willing to risk a resumption of the civil war. This is reckless, as the Maoists have made themselves less popular with their bullying tactics. Many people remember that the whole point of Maoism is to establish a communist dictatorship. Only a minority of Nepalese want that.

Meanwhile, the ethnic warfare in the south has heated up, when a royalist leader was murdered. Maoists were accused, but members of other factions may have been responsible. The new violence in the south has left nearly twenty dead. Nevertheless, the Maoists are more feared in the south than any other group. The Maoists tend to disrespect tradition and religion. In the south, most people are very much into tradition and religion.

The 31,000 officially recognized Maoist fighters are stirring in the 28 UN camps. Some 5,000 Maoist fighters left their camps for several hours last week, to demonstrate against living conditions. The rebels are demanding a $45 a month cash allowance from the government. There are no armed guards at these camps, although the Maoists weapons are somewhat protected.