Biplab on UCPN(M) Central Committee Meeting: People’s Republic is a Necessity

The Red Star, December 5, 2009

Central Committee Decisions with its Special Importance–Netrabikram Chanda, Com. Biplab

Biplab is a member of the Secretariat of the UCPN (Maoist) Central Commitee

Our party central committee meeting concluded after 25 days. The meetng has taken very important decisions and conclusions on the following subjects related to the political movement of Nepal and to the party organization itself. The importance of these decisions is as follows:

1. The conclusions and the decisions related to the political movement

We took a long and serious debate on the solution of extraordinary political situation on the revolution and the counter-revolution, ideology of proletariat, and the
bourgeoisie, national independence and foreign intervention. Through
the long debate, we came to the conclusion that the correct solution of the
existing political crisis of the nation can be found only after building a new
concept of republic, constitution, united front, federalism, a national united
government, and the mass-struggle, and we have taken some of the new decisions
on them also. We are assured that the recently taken decisions will give
solution to the existing problems.

1.a. People’s Federal Republic

Our party has reached the conclusion that a new concept about the republic is necessary. According to it, the party has taken
a decision to use People’s Republic in place of Democratic Republic. This, in
reality, is the only decision that will be able to take the political crisis
to a solution. The problems and the crisis that are increasing in the
country day by day are mainly the outcome of the present state power, state
machinery of the  bourgeois republic, though there are other secondary reasons. The expectation of the people for
emancipation is not possible until and unless a drastic change in the state
system is brought.

Maoists Declare Kathmandu an Autonomous Region

Economic Times, December 16, 2009

Red alert: Maoists seize Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Maoists on Wednesday announced the seizure of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu declaring it an autonomous region, after storming into heavily guarded Durbar Square, in a development that could trigger a new political confrontation.Waving red flags, 5000 militant cadres forced their way into the Durbar Square city centre where their chief Prachanda declared Kathmandu valley as the Newa Autonomous State. The Maoists, who have already announced formation of parallel governments in nine districts and paid little heed to warnings by the Nepali Congress, to desist from such tactics as it may lead to “biggest political and social confrontation”.

Though the Maoist takeover was more of a symbolic nature, their choice of the capital city sent shock-waves in the ruling CPN-UML-led 22-party alliance. Prachanda lit a traditional lamp to declare Kathmandu as Newa Autonomous State by flying a banner that read “Newa Autonomous State” as hundreds of balloons were let off. A gun salute was also given and the city declared an autonomous state amidst performance of traditional music.

“Our move is not intended to disrupt the peace process or block the constitution making task,” Prachanda proclaimed adding it was to “make people aware about federalism and strengthen the republican system”. The Maoist supremo claimed that “regressive forces were hatching a conspiracy against the republican system and trying to reverse the change”.

Other Maoist leader who spoke on the occasion defended their move to declare various areas as autonomous regions rejected the claim that it would derail the peace process and lead to disintegration of the nation. The party is planning to declare altogether 13 autonomous states in the country by December 18.

Kishenji: Farmers in Lalgarh Region Don’t Have to Repay Crop Loans

Hindustan Times, December 17, 2009

Maoists announce ‘loan waiver’ for farmers

Farmers in West Midnapore district of West Bengal may not have to repay their crop loans. The Maoists have announced a waiver. This is the first time the rebel group has announced such a decision.

“Several peasants who took crop loans over the last two years have suffered losses. So, we have decided that they don’t have to pay back their loans,” said Koteshwar Rao, alias Kishenji, member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). “Moreover, no agricultural cooperative, bank or private money lender will be allowed to charge more than two per cent interest on loans they advance to peasants this year,” he added.

Cooperative and public sector banks usually charge 7 per cent interest on agri loans. Private moneylenders charge much more – between 3 per cent and 5 per cent a  month. “If anybody, be it from public sector banks or private moneylender tries to squeeze money out of the farmers, he will be branded a people’s enemy and tried in a people’s court,” Kishenji threatened. These “courts” usually hand out the death penalty to those who defy their writ.

Lalgarh Traders Boycott Police After They Ransack Shops

Lalgarh residents wait to collect rice. Due to “Operation Lalgarh,” shops have been closed.

Telegraph India, December 14, 2009

Cop boycott call in Salboni

Salboni: Traders of a Salboni bazaar have decided to start a “social boycott” of the joint forces after some of the personnel allegedly ransacked shops following a blast in which a jawan was injured. The boycott means shops in Pirakata, about 20km from Lalgarh, will not sell provisions to the personnel.

Such a move had forced police to the brink of starvation and pull out a camp from Kalaimuri in April, when the Lalgarh agitation was at its peak. Aided by Maoists, the villagers demolished the camp after the police left. They also blocked the supply of essentials to the camp in Ramgarh in May. Food may not be a problem now because the roads, dug up during the Maoist-backed agitation, have been repaired. But, at a time the police are desperate to win back villagers’ confidence, the alleged ransacking of shops spells a public relations disaster.

West Midnapore police chief Manoj Verma denied any ransacking. But stationery shop owner Debashis Ghosh had a differ- ent story to tell. “The police were brought here to maintain law and order but they are doing just the opposite. We won’t sell any item to them,” he said.The security forces were engaged in a gun battle with Maoists in Pirakata this evening. It continued intermittently from 5pm to 9pm. Around 8.30pm, supporters of the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities ransacked the local CPM office.

Tea stall owner Pintu Manna said the jawans accused the villagers of being in cahoots with the rebels while ransacking the shops yesterday. Ghosh alleged that 20 shops were targeted because they had refused to shut down after the jawan was injured. Verma said the police had asked them to down shutters fearing an encounter with the Maoists. “That led to a verbal spat. But it’s not true that shops were ransacked.”