Sison on People’s War and Peace Negotiations

“From what I read in CPP publications, it is logical for the CPP to aim for expanding the current number of guerilla fronts to more than 170, or enough to cover every rural congressional district within the next few years. Fulfilling the political and military requirements for such an expansion would certainly mean a great advance of the people’s war and would lay the basis for a possible strategic stalemate or even a strategic offensive within the next ten years.”

Professor Jose Maria Sison: On People’s War and Peace Negotiations

Interview with Roselle Valerio, Liberation International, September 13, 2009. Posted on Arkibong Bayan.

Thank you for granting this interview in your capacity as the chief political consultant of the negotiating panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). I would like to ask some questions about the status and prospects of the people’s war and the peace negotiations of the NDFP with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).

But first let me ask you, what is your current personal situation in exile, as a political refugee?

JMS: I am taking seriously and enjoying my role as chief political consultant of the NDFP negotiating panel, and as chairperson of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle. I do a lot of research, writing and speaking before various types of audiences. I manage to speak through Skype, Yahoo Messenger and other video-conferencing methods to audiences in the US and other countries which refuse to give me the visa.

Nepal: YCL Plans New Round of Protests

Kantipur Report, November 27, 2009

YCL publicises protests to reinforce Maoist struggle

KATHMANDU- UCPN (Maoist) Youth front, Young Communist League (YCL) on Friday made public their struggle programmes to reinforce the mother party’s third phase protest. Organising a press conference in the capital, the YCL publicised its struggle programmes to be launched from Nov.30 to Dec.18.

As per the programme, the YCL is scheduled to organise an interaction programme on the problem of unemployment and youth employment from Dec. 2 to Dec.11 nationwide, progrramme coordinator Ganesh Man Pun informed.

Pun said the other programmes include an interaction on foreign intervention and nationality on Dec.5, memorandum submission to the Finance Minister on Dec.8, and ministry blockade, field visit to the border encroachment from Dec.11 to 18 and nationwide awareness campaign on the Pancheshwor project and treaties.

No More Bhopals! 35,000 Killed Over 25 Years

25 years ago, on the night of 2-3 December 1984, a terrible gas leak from the American multinational Union Carbide’s pesticide factory resulted, over the years, in the death of over 35,000 people and the chronic illness of over 3 lakh [300,000] people, of whom over 1 lakh were permanently maimed.

The victims continue to fight for proper compensation, rehabilitation, livelihoods, decontamination of soil and water and criminal action against those responsible. We are reprinting an article from March 2008 describing the efforts of survivors to receive justice, and the announcement of a 25th anniversary program in Bhopal sponsored by the Jan Sangarsh Morcha (Madhya Pradesh).

Survivors of Bhopal Gas Tragedy March to Demand Justice

Shuriah Niazi, Toward Freedom

On February 20th, more than a hundred survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy and their supporters began an 800 kilometers walk from Bhopal to New Delhi to remind the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the promises he did not keep. Organizations such as Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha and Bhopal Group for Information and Action are leading this “Padyatra.”They are demanding that the Prime Minister begin an empowered commission on Bhopal for medical care and rehabilitation of the Bhopal victims and their children.

Almost twenty three years after the Union Carbide gas disaster, Bhopal continues to gasp for breath. So far, authorities have failed to provide a clean and healthy environment for the thousands of citizens who inhaled the poisonous gas on December 2-3 in 1984, suffering irreversible lung damage. These survivors, mostly concentrated in Atal Ayub Nagar, JP Nagar and Arif Nagar, still use water polluted by the toxins left behind by the US multinational.

CPP on the Arroyo Regime and the Maguindanao Massacre of 57

Philippine Revolution, November 25, 2009

Reactionary politicos’ military, paramilitary, police and private armies grew rapidly under Arroyo regime–CPP

The Communist Party of the Philippines said that even as reactionary politicos’ private use of military, paramilitary, police as well as their own hired goons has historically been part and parcel of traditional reactionary politics, these armies have grown by leaps and bounds under the Arroyo regime.

The CPP said that this culture of wanton violence was blatantly displayed last Monday in the Maguindanao massacre that brutally wiped out at least 47 lives, and is bound to escalate as the election fever heats up in the next several months.

“The feudal-fascist politicos’ private armies of government military, paramilitary, police and other hired goons was especially promoted by the Arroyo regime as it relied largely on these type of warlords to cheat in the elections,” said the CPP.

Nepal: Maoist-led Squatters Seize Land

Posted on Himalayan Times, November 25, 2009

Maoists seize Golchha’s land

Surendra Kafle

Nepalgunj: Violating the Comprehensive Peace Accord, a sister wing of the UCPN-Maoist seized 21 bighas of land at Rajhena in Kohalpur on Wednesday.

More than 100 activists led by Prem Shah, Banke chairman of the All Nepal Landless Squatters’ Association affiliated to the Tharuwan State Committee, which is aligned to UCPN-M, erected the party flag and seized the land belonging to late Mahendra Golchha.

Shah rationalised the action, stating that the land would be distributed among the squatters. He claimed that they seized the land, as the government had failed to implement the 12-point agreement to take the peace process ahead. He added that a meeting of the TSC held on November 13 had decided to seize land in several districts.

Invitation to All-India Convention Against War on People

Friends,

As you read this invite, Indian state’s ongoing war on people that began on the 1^st of November will already complete several weeks. The body-count of the adivasis –the prime victims of the Indian government’s ‘hunt’– also started to mount.

As per the sporadic news from the Ground Zero trickles in through the media, the casualty is escalating by each passing day, as grow the number of burnt villages, persons displaced, injured or arrested. We hear of battalions of CRPF, COBRA, C-60, Grey Hounds, ITBP, Anti-Naxal Task Force and a whole assortment of armed paramilitary and police forces stepping up their operation in Dandakaranya and adjoining regions, backed by air force helicopters and US intelligence satellites, commanded by army top brass.

Nepal: 200,000 Animals Sacrificed in Feudal Festival

Kantipur Report, November 25, 2009

Second day of Gadhimai fair sees over 200,000 animal sacrifice

BARA – Thousands of goats, chickens, ducks and pigeons were sacrificed on the second day of Gadhimai festival being held at Bariyapur of Bara district.

Around 200,000 goats and birds that were brought by the pilgrims were slaughtered on Wednesday, said Shivchandra Kushawaha, chairman of the festival organising committee.

On Tuesday, the first day of the festival, around 17,000 buffaloes were slaughtered. Raman Thakur Bhuihaar, who hails from Sitamadi in Indian state of Bihar, alone made an offer of 105 buffaloes for sacrifice.

It is believed that sacrificing animals at the festival brings one prosperity and wards off evil.

Nepal: Maoist Women Disrupt Beauty Pageant

My Republica, November 24, 2009.

Maoists: Tired or transformed?

Jainendra Jeevan

As usual, Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Women’s Association (Revolutionary) and some women rights activists tried to disrupt the Miss Nepal beauty pageant 2009 with sloganeering and demonstration of black flags. Despite that, the pageantry was successfully held last Thursday ([September 24]. Because of possible security threats, this year the event managers chose Army Officer’s Club located within the premises of army headquarters as their venue.

However, the high security zone alone was not a factor that prevented the cancellation of the event; this time the protestors too did not seem to be in a mood to force the event to closure as they had done last year. This year, their rallies appeared more like a ritual rather than a real threat, which were primarily for the consumption of party cadres.

Bhattarai Speaks on Political Consensus and Street Protests

Telegraph Nepal, November 24, 2009.

Opinion: Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai

Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai, Vice Chairman, Unified Maoist Party, interviewed in Jana Disha Daily, November 23, 2009

As your party enters into the third round of protest programs soon, tell us how have you analyzed the Second Round of Protest programs?

Dr. Bhattarai: The second round of protest was a grand success. Our demand for restoration of Civilian Supremacy in the country has been established well among the masses due to their huge participation in the protest programs. And it is true that it makes no sense if the government addresses our demands or not because those in the government have no peoples’ support. They are not responsible to the people. They are instead spreading the gossip that our protests have had no impact.

Do you have the feeling that the third round of protest will force the government to accept your demands?

Dr. Bhattarai: Let me tell you frankly that we still want our demands addressed though consensus between the parties. Our objective is to draft the constitution and bring logical end to the peace process. But, we found out that this government is not in favor of politics of consensus thus we were forced to declare another round of protest. We had served a week ultimatum to the government after the conclusion of the second round of protest, yet it was ignored. We are certain that our demands would be met this time around. This round of protest will see grand and massive participation of the general public, greater than ever.

London Program on Political Prisoners Around the World

Evening of International Solidarity with Political Prisoners

Let us unite and struggle to free all political prisoners across the world!

Speakers and presentations on the current issues and the struggles of political prisoners across the world (Speakers from Brazil, India, Iran, Philippines, Turkey, US and …)

–Statements & messages of solidarity

–Documentary film: The Peoples’ Resistance in Lalgarh


–Revolutionary music and cultural performances in solidarity with political prisoners

Organised jointly by:

Activists of the People’s Fadaii Guerrillas of Iran – London.

Democratic Anti-imperialist Organisation of Iranians in Britain

Devrimci Demokrasi (Revolutionary Democracy Magazine)

Indian Workers’ Association -GB (IWA-GB)

Biplap: 3rd Phase Can Turn Into People’s Rebellion

NepalNews,  November 24, 2009.

Movement for civilian supremacy can turn into all out rebellion: Maoist leader

A senior Maoist leader has warned that the nationwide agitation waged by the party for upholding ‘civilian supremacy’ can very well turn into a people’s rebellion.

Maoist Standing Committee member Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’, however, assured that the party has no immediate plans for an all out rebellion, even though the ruling parties are just inciting them for the same.

Speaking at a programme in the capital on Tuesday, Chand refuted rumors that the Maoists launched the nationwide agitation just to get back into power. Chand also claimed that there would be massive participation of communist, nationalists and republican forces in the party’s third phase of protest, which began from Nov. 22.

He also said that the party has plans to declare autonomous ethnic provinces during the third phase of stir, adding that this (the declaration of autonomous provinces) will foil the conspiracy of reactionary forces both inside the country and outside to spread communal hatred in the country. 

Manipur: United National Liberation Front Calls for Intensified Struggle on its 45th Anniversary

This statement was posted on KanglaOnline.

UNLF calls for struggle intensification

The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Nov 23: The central committee of the UNLF extended its greetings to the entire people of Manipur on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the party. The press statement also contained the party`s annual statement for the year 2009. It said the current year recorded the maximum number of killings by the government ever since the annexation of Manipur on October 15, 1949.

Central and state forces together accounted for 700 innocent people killed during year alone it said.  “They have humiliated even media persons in trying to intimidate them against reporting the truth about the killings of innocent peoples thus infringing upon the `freedom of the Press`.” the UNLF annual report said.

Nepal: Maoists Shut Down Schools in Five Districts

This article was published on eKantipur.com.

Maoists-aligned teachers shut down academic institutions in east

DHNAKUTA, NOV 22 – The UCPN (M) affiliated National Teachers Union (NTU) on Sunday enforced shutdown of entire educational institutions across five eastern districts.

The teachers union called for the closure across five districts under Limbuwan State Committee–Dhankuta, Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam and Jhapa–demanding action against the CPN-UML’s youth wing Youth Force cadres who had allegedly assaulted Taplegung-based teacher Laxmi Angdambe.  All the academic institutions in the five districts have remained closed from today.

According to the NTU district chairman Madan Adhikari, YF cadres are behind the attack and the union would enforce indefinite closure of academic institutions across the Limbuwan State districts if the culprit was not booked.

Orissa Tribals Harvest Bumper Paddy Crop on Seized Land

Published on Merinews, November 5, 2009.

Bumper paddy harvested by tribals in Narayanpatna Block

The land, about 2000 acres seized by Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS) under Narayanpatna Block of Koraput district couple of months back, harvested bumper paddy crop this year, when the entire state farmers suicidal deaths are continuing for their crop damages.

When contacted, Nachika Linga leader of CMAS of Narayanpatna Block, “We have taken possession of about 2000 acres of land and distributed among our members.” With bows, arrows and other traditional weapons, both male and female members of CMAS walked to the fields and harvested paddy crop on their own paternal lands. “This year for the first time without using chemical fertiliser and pesticides, the crop was harvested,” Linga said.

Linga also expressed that the land of their own was under the possession of a particular community (Sundhi by caste) restored forcefully after 10 years of our agitation programmes. The failure of the successive governments to restore the land forced us to take the land in our position and driven them out from the lands. Nachika Linga said that he doesn’t believe the present democratic system and offices functioning in the name of benefiting the tribals and physically benefiting the non-tribals, money lenders and liquor vendors.

Recently, Nilakantha Parida was taken under the custody of the members of CMAS Narayanpatna and interrogated for about one week inside the jungle, and on a request of some of the supporters of the movement allowed him to go on a condition not to support the government’s sponsored peace committees in future. Nachika Linga was a bounded labourer under Nilakantha Praida who tortured Linga without even providing him food to eat. However, we do not spare anybody even including the journalists who are going against the activities of CMAS, Narayanpatna.

West Bengal: Evicted Dalit Starves to Death

This statement was posted on the Asian Human Rights Commission website on November 18, 2009.

Government of West Bengal must act to prevent further starvation deaths

E.M. Parvati died yesterday. Parvati was a resident of Belgachhia Bhagar, a municipal dumping ground of Howrah in West Bengal. The doctor who examined Parvati’s body certified that the cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis aggravated by severe malnourishment and anaemia.

Parvati is not the first person in her family to die in this manner. Her daughter E.M. Lachhmi, died of starvation at the age of five on 11 March 2005. Her two sons, E.M. Shiva, died in December 2003 and E.M. Gaddama alias Chhottu, died in November 2004. Shiva was three years old and Gaddama was about a month old.

Parvati’s death is further proof to the despicable apathy of the West Bengal state government and that of the government of India to the plight of the poor and marginalised in the country. It is also part of the continuing saga of an estimated 7000 Dalits who were evicted from Bellilious Park on 2 February 2003 by the Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC).