Nepal: An encounter in Ghorahi

Thanks to Frontlines of Revolutionary Struggle for sharing this.

The People's Liberation Army has been a symbol of liberation in Nepal

by Aditya Adhikari

The Kathmandu Post, 05-10-2011

After the end of the war, Saraswati Magar (name changed), a Maoist activist from Rolpa, built a single-story, two-room brick house on a small plot of land on the outskirts of Ghorahi, Dang.

The responsibilities given to her by the party require her to spend much of her time in Rolpa, but she has a nine-year old daughter in Ghorahi, and it is to be with her that Saraswati built the house. Having joined the movement when she was sixteen, even before the formal announcement of the People’s War, her primary life-experience has been of great strain and hardship.

On the run from the state authorities for many years, she abandoned her daughter to the care of relatives when she was only 21 months of age and was reunited with her only after the peace process began. Most of her friends and relatives from Rolpa joined the party. Her husband died during the conflict, as did two of her brothers.

Life is easier now for Saraswati. She looks back at amazement at the level of physical hardship and deprivation she endured so willingly during the war. Yet, she is restless. Political work does not offer her the satisfaction that it did before; yet it still obsesses her.

“When I come to Ghorahi,” she says, “after a few days I feel like going back to Rolpa, to work on the organisation. But when I go to Rolpa, there is not so much work to do and then I feel like returning to my daughter in Ghorahi.”

Nepal: Maoists Revive United National People’s Council

The following is from Republica.

Maoists revive political front, C P Gajurel is head

KATHMANDU, Aug 23: The Maoists have activated their joint political front — United National People’s Council (UNPC) — with CP Gajurel as its head, to mobilize the masses.

The last central committee meeting of the party decided to activate the front that had been lying defunct for the past one year due to internal disputes.

The council was known as United Revolutionary People’s Council during the conflict period. The standing committee meeting on August 16 changed the name to UNPC to make it “acceptable to all”. The council is one of the organs of a communist party, with the army and the party being the other organs.

Prachanda: We Stand by our Inclusive, Federal Nepal Pledge

This interview comes from ekantipur.com. 

Chains of Command

“The new constitution will have to create a win-win situation for all. That means all parties will have to compromise and adjust. But there are few things we have all agreed on. At the outset of this process we have agreed on a constitution through the Constituent Assembly and that there will be a progressive and inclusive restructuring of the state”.

We stand by our inclusive, federal Nepal pledge

Barely 18 days are left for the expiry of CA, but given the glacial progress, it is unlikely that it will deliver a constitution on time. Instead the discussions are now centred on making irreversible progress on the peace process and finalising a preliminary draft of the constitution by May 28. The Maoists as the largest party in the CA are leading the political parleys. In his first exclusive interview with Akhilesh Upadhyay and Kamal Dev Bhattarai after the crucial Maoist Central Committee meeting on April 29—which decided that peace and constitution would remain the party’s core focus until the outstanding peace and constitutional issues were settled—Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, perhaps for the first time, offered specifics on the party’s positions on a range of much-disputed integration issues, such as the norms and modalities for entry into the security forces—including the combatants’ age, rank, number and chain of command.

Nepal: Prachanda Says May 1st is the Deadline

This article is from myrepublica.com

“If the conspiracy to disrupt the peace process and constitution drafting prevails even after May Day, the 30 million people of Nepal should rise up,” said Dahal at a rally organized in Kathmandu to mark ther 21st anniversary of the People’s Movement.

Prachanda Gives Parties till May 1 for Peace, Statute

Kathmandu, April 8: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) has set a deadline of May 1 for the rival political parties to strike an agreement on the peace process and constitution drafting, and warned that the people should rise up in insurrection  if the parties failed to do so.

Nepal: Mass Gathering all Over the Country

The following comes from krishnasenonline.org and documents mass unity gathering across Nepal in support of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).

Kathmandu, April 4: UCPN-Maoist party has decided to hold mass meetings all over the country. As it was held before, the central leaders of the party will address the mass gathering. The standing committee meeting of the party has taken the decisions to mobilize people to give message that the party unity is consolidated and it is not going to split.

Instead of the above decision, the party has decided to implement the party decisions strongly and truly. Chairman of the party com. Prachanda has urged all the leaders, cadres, fronts, forums supporters, well wishers and the grass root people to unite under the flag of the party more dedicative. The meeting has decided to appoint the ministers quickly. Party secretary CP Gajurel says that the party will give completion to the present government at once.

Prachanda: Nepal’s Maoists Won’t Split

Prachanda, leader of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)

The following comes from ekantipur.com

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal claimed on Monday that his party would not split as it is obvious to have minor differences inside a big party.

Speaking at a programme organised to welcome new entrants to the Maoists at the party headquarters in Parishdanda today, the Maoist chairman said that some minor differences within the party is giving the impression that the party is splitting, but that’s not going to happen.

“Minor differences are obvious in a big party,” said Dahal. “But the UCPN (Maoist) won’t split, rather, the party will become more united and ultimately the reins of nation will come in our hands.”

At a time when speculations are rife that the Maoists party is on the verge of split following ‘SMS rumor’ that ‘Vice Chairman Baburam Bhattarai is splitting the party’, Chairman Dahal dismissed it as just another rumor within a dynamic party.

He went on to say that his party has been striving to conclude the peace and constitution-drafting processes but some people are trying to foil it.

Nepal: Final Preparations for People’s Revolt?

This news comes from MSN India, and comes after other reports of revolutionary preparations in Nepal. If the development of the new constitution is stalled or blocked by reactionary forces, it may lead to confrontation with the Maoist revolutionaries. The Revolution in South Asia team will monitor events and will post news as it arrives.

“He said all factories, industries and hotels across the country will be turned into barracks to ensure the success of the people”s revolt the party is planning to launch. Those who believe that the Maoists will not wage any people”s revolt and think that it is just a bluff will soon get a rude shock, he warned.”

Prachanda calls for ”final preparations” for people’s revolt

Shirish B. Pradhan

Kathmandu, Feb 27 (PTI) Maoists supremo Prachanda today called on his cadres to make “final preparations” for a people”s revolt, amid a power struggle to take control of key ministry of Nepal”s new communist government.

Prachanda, the chairman of Unified CPN (Maoist), called upon all factory workers affiliated to the Maoist party to make “final preparations” for launching the people”s revolt.

He said all factories, industries and hotels across the country will be turned into barracks to ensure the success of the people”s revolt the party is planning to launch.

Those who believe that the Maoists will not wage any people”s revolt and think that it is just a bluff will soon get a rude shock, he warned.

Nepal Maoists: Turn Factories into Barracks for Revolt

The following comes from the Himalayan Times. Though this information comes from the bourgeois press, it is with great interest that we examine this news and learn from this experience.

“Dahal said all the hotels and factories would be turned into barracks if the reactionary forces attempt to stop peace and constitution-drafting processes. He said his party would lead the revolt.”

“People had not believed when we were preparing for people’s war.” He said the dreams of the party and martyrs would not be realised unless the workers captured state power.”

Factories to turn into barracks, says Prachanda

Claims people’s revolt the only option left

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal today directed all workers to make final preparations for the people’s revolt, claiming no other options were left.

Nepal: Maoist Leader Prachanda Calls for Strong National Security Force

Below is a recent speech by Nepalese Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, better known as Prachanda.

In this speech he details the monitoring of the PLA by the Special Committee (SC) which is a temporary body to oversee the integration of the two armies.

He praises the PLA for their discipline, and warns that “hurdles” remain ahead. This originally appeared in the Red Star, Feb 1-15, 2011 edition, available as a PDF here.

“Until the integration and rehabilitation concludes as per the provision of the CPA and interim constitution, the situation of one state two armies will continue as a matter of fact.

“We had written to the United Nations a five-point joint letter appealing for help by sending a peace mission. However, a situation was created due to which the UNMIN went back a few days ago before it performed the task for which it was called for.”

We want to build a strong national security force

The country is going through a serious political bend at present. Nepali people had taken part actively in the 10-year long great People’s War and 19-day historical united people’s movement with belief and aspiration of building new Nepal through radical transformation. As a result of struggle and sacrifice of the people, Republic has been established eliminating monarchy that had been ruling Nepal for 240 years. On this occasion, I pay heartfelt tribute to the great martyrs who sacrificed themselves and express my hearty respect to the disappeared fighters, injured and disabled.

Nepal: Maoists Comment on Mubarak’s Fall

Supporters of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) dance to a patriotic song as they block a road in Katmandu.

This brief statement by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) comes from krishnasenonline.org.

Mubarak steps down: bourgeois enters in army gown

Kathmandu, February 16: The historic efforts of thousands of justice loving Egyptian people have over-turned the arbitrary rule of President Hosni Mubarak. Mubarak has resigned from the post. Eighteen-day movement of the people is going to be concluded with an unprecedented change in the country; however, the hold in the revolution is of bourgeoisie who are hatching conspiracies to hold the land under their dictatorship.

The people are not ready to vacate the Tahirr square because of untrust on the process in handover the power to the people. Army has been deployed in place of forming the government of the people who are demanding drastic changes in state power and its social, economic and the cultural sectors including political one.

Nepal: Maoist offer to Opposition Party Rejected

This article originally appeared in Republica. As always, we remind our readers that articles in the bourgeois press may not accurately report facts and events.

The CP-UML's Khanal

UML Standing Committee Says Deal Erroneous

KATHMANDU, Feb 8: The Standing Committee (SC) meeting of the ruling CPN-UML has termed the secret seven-point deal reached between Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal an erroneous move.

The SC decision came hours after the prime minister and Maoist Chairman Dahal confirmed that they had reached the secret deal and vowed to move ahead in accordance with its spirit.

While Khanal and party leaders close to him have been defending the accord, Madhav Kumar Nepal, KP Sharma Oli and other leaders close to them have objected to it vehemently.

“The five-hour meeting concluded that the agreement was a mistake in terms of policy, procedure and system,” said a party leader from the Nepal-Oli camp.

The leader claimed that at the meeting the prime minister undertook self-criticism for signing the agreement.

Prachanda Targets the Obstacles to Nepal’s Progress

Prachanda, leader of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)

This originally appeared on krishnasenonline.org on January 24th, 2011.

Kathmandu, 24 January: CPN-Maoist is clear over ground after the situation bringing People’s Liberation Army (PLA) under the Special Committee for Integration of Army.

This was the last condition put forwarded by the old political parties before Maoist party. PLA soldiers are under the special committee and Maoist party has become ‘civil party’ in their eyes. Maoist party has claimed the consensus government under its leadership due to be the largest party in the Constituent Assembly and, in the situation, the resignation of the caretaker government.

Maoist Chairman Com. Prachanda has expressed his hope to form the consensus government under his party leadership. He has informed the public about the talk he is holding among the political parties.

The talk is ‘positive’ among the political parties and, specially, ‘between the three major parties’. He claimed that the reliable ground is being made for the consensus government.

Nepal: Prachanda’s Goal is People’s Revolt

This article originally appeared in Republica. We should remind readers that articles from the bourgeois press may not accurately reflect the positions of revolutionary parties.

Dahal speech reverts to state-capture mode

KATHMANDU, Jan 17: In his firebrand speech to junior party cadres, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the party´s immediate goal is to seize state power through a people´s revolt and establish “people´s federal republic” in the country.

The Maoist chairman put forward such views during a training session for party cadres at Bhrikuti Mandap in the capital, Monday.

“Our immediate policy is to launch a revolt to achieve the constitution of a people´s federal democratic republic in Nepal,” a party leader quoted Dahal as saying at the training which saw the participation of over 5,000 cadres of the Maoist Newa and Tamsaling states.

The Maoist chairman also stated that the party would revive the kangaroo courts and party´s parallel governments at local levels. “We will form ´front committees´ to organize, mobilize and serve their interests. These committees will fill the gap created after the dissolution of people´s courts and governments,” a party cadre quoted Dahal as saying.

Nepal: Maoist Central Committee Adopts Chairman’s Approach to Revolt

The following comes from Republica. We remind our readers to exercise caution about information promoted from the bourgeois press and not take lightly issues of line struggle. However, things are in motion in Nepal and we should remain watchful of these events. Posting here, as usual, does not imply endorsement.

Maoist CC passes Dahal’s paper

KATHMANDU, Dec 18: The UCPN (Maoist) Central Committee meeting on Friday endorsed the political paper of party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal that proposes to go for a revolt if there is any conspiracy against peace and the new constitution.

The CC meeting held at party headquarters, Paris Danda endorsed Dahal´s political paper by voice vote as Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya, who had presented a separate political paper during the Palungtar plenum, supported Dahal, except in his review of the party´s history from the Chunwang meeting to date.

Nepal: Prachanda Warns Against Conspiracies to Impede New Constitution

This article is from My Republica

The article below refers to Prachanda addressing the 18th National Convention of All Nepal Independent Students’ Union – Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) which began on December 10th.

Prachanda

Dahal to Turn Campuses into Barracks

Kathmandu, Dec. 10: Unified Communist Party Nepal – Maoist (UCPN -Maoist)  Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Friday warned that his party would turn all campuses and schools across the country into ‘barracks’ if conspiracies against peace and the new constitution go unabated.

Addressing the inaugural function of the 18th National Convention of All Nepal Independent Students’ Union – Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) in Kirtipur, Chairman Dahal claimed that regressive and reactionary elements both at home and abroad were hatching conspiracies against the historic achievement of democracy and republic through Janaandolan II.

He asked the students to keep themselves  in a militarized state, claiming that such conspiracies were getting more complex and intense.