Two Roads Emerge over Nepal’s Future

Two distinct lines are emerging in the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)

A fierce struggle is taking place within the Maoist movement in Nepal. Thousands gave their lives and thousands more made great sacrifices during the People’s War, a decade long struggle for revolution and a radically new and better Nepal. More than five years after the People’s War ended, this dream has still not been made a reality. Radical forces in the party are calling for revolt, and they claim that the process of mergers has led to a right-wing majority in the Central Committee that obstructs their efforts. A reminder: posting does not imply endorsement of the views or confirmation of the information presented but share for the discussion of our readers.

From Myrepublica

Mergers the real game-changer in UCPN(Maoist)

POST B BASNET /KIRAN PUN

KATHMANDU, June 24: With the UCPN (Maoist) preparing to endorse the line of peace and constitution, the party hardliners have been left with very few cards to counter the party establishment, which they say is deviating from the ideals of revolution.

Backed by Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai, party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal commands a comfortable majority in the CC to endorse the line, parrying stiff opposition put up by the hardliners.

But, that was not the power equation in the party till three years back. The campaign for unification with fringe leftist parties in the recent years turned the table against the hardliners led by Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya.

United States Punishing Strike Organizers in Nepal

Workers on Strike in Nepal

This article was originally posted on myrepublica.com and contains obvious bourgeois distortions of (bandas) strike organizers, but it is notable that the United States has put a spotlight on these organizers as a threat and something that bares consideration as the Nepalese revolution grapples with the extended tentacles of imperialism of both American and Indian varieties.  

 US To Put Banda Organizers on Visa Watch

Kiran Chapagain

Kathmandu, May 27: With the country facing one after another banda in recent days , the US Embassy has decided to act tough against banda organizers who use threat of violence to enforce their strikes.

Embassy Spokesperson Heather Steil told Republica on Thursday that Ambassador Scott H.  Delisi has decided to put the organizers of Friday’s banda on the embassy’s visa watch list, invoking an existing visa policy.  She further said  the embassy will also enforce the policy on organizers of future bandas.

Nepal’s balance of forces & the future of Peoples Liberation Army

Democracy and Class Struggle published this report from Peter Tobin, a correspondent who is currently in Nepal. It offers background and analysis of extremely important controversies that have sharpened within Nepal, and within that country’s revolutionary Maoist forces, the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).

Balance of military forces in Nepal –
In relation to PLA integration into the Nepal Army

by Peter Tobin

Before reporting on arguments around the integration into NA [formerly royalist Nepal Army], (as per terms of 2005 CPA [Comprehensive Peace Accords]) of approximately 20,000 PLA cadre [Peoples Liberation Army], it is necessary to understand the overwhelming logistical and numerical apparent superiority of the military available to the reactionary parties through the state apparatus.

The Nepalese Army has 95,000 active personal. It has been well-armed by India, US, UK, Russia and Israel. Its officer caste are trained in India, US and UK, and its high command is profoundly anti- maobaadi (viz 2008 coup against Prachanda-led coalition).

Last year Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal – the unelected UML, GS, and Delhi’s placeman after Prachanda – threatened to unlease the forces at his disposal against any “Maoist attempt to seize state power”, during the May manifestations. There is no doubt that NA general staff would have complied.

It receives $1.7 billion from US though the EMET programme which is jointly funded by Defense/State Departments, and funnelled through, the euphemistically titled: EIPC (Enhanced International Peacekeeping Capabilities)

Further military networking and synching occurs through OCD (Office for Defense Co-operation) convened under CINCPAC (US Commander-in Chief – Pacific).

Benefits of a revolutionary movement: Nepal builds shelter for gay men

Issues of sexuality and sexuality-based oppression have often been sidelined in communist revolutions, to the detriment of both. But the Nepalese Maoists have paved the way for gay, lesbian and transgender liberation. In 2007, the Nepalese Supreme Court overturned laws discriminating against same-sex acts, and earlier this year, the government decided to recognize ‘transgender’ as an official census category. Now Nepal is building an institution to address a social problem ignored in most of the world, including the US–the abuse and trafficking of gay men.  NGOs and other parties are undoubtedly involved in these issues as well. But it seems doubtful that without the people’s war and the crucial support of the Maoists that such transformations would have been possible.

In a gesture that has endeared it to Nepal’s gay community, the republic’s first Maoist government in 2008, headed by Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, made budgetary allocations for them and the land for the centre was bought with the money – NRS 25-30 lakh a year.

This article originally appeared in Times of India.

Nepal to offer shelter to South Asia’s battered gays

by TNN

KATHMANDU: After organising beauty pageants for gays and transgenders, followed by extravagant same sex weddings, Nepal will now move to more sombre issues, becoming the first country in South Asia to offer shelter to battered gays.

Nepal’s First Lesbian Wedding

Since 2007, Nepal has been at the forefront of various forms of gay, lesbian and transgender liberation in South Asia, often with the support of the UCPN(M). This article originally appeared at NDTV. 

Nepal lesbian wedding inspires Bengal, Kerala

by Indo-Asian News Service

Kathmandu: The first public lesbian wedding in Nepal, held this week under the aegis of the republic’s gay rights icon Sunil Babu Pant, has inspired the gay communities in West Bengal and Kerala to seek help to host the two states’ first public gay rallies next month.

Pant, who is also Nepal’s only openly gay Member of Parliament, founded the Blue Diamond Society (BDS) in 2002 to spearhead the gay rights movement in the then conservative Hindu kingdom where homosexuals faced ostracisation, rape and murderous attacks.

Australian TV on India’s ‘Red Tide’

As usual posting here does not imply endorsement of the views presented, but we share for the interest of our readers. It is noteworthy that the Indian Maoist movement has become a visible threat to the Indian state – which has responded with a cruel and bloody Operation Greenhunt, ruthlessly killing and torturing under the guise of fighting ‘terrorism.’  This brutal Indian army has recently moved into Maoist controlled camps as another step in their vicious campaign of war against the poor and those defending them.

Nepal: Maoists Discuss Army Integration with People’s Liberation Army

The People's Liberation Army has been a mighty force for liberation. They have defended they many victories of the ongoing Nepalese Revolution, including fighting for the rights of women. The PLA is composed of nearly 40% women.

This article originally appeared on enkantipur.com. Nepal’s revolutionaries are approaching serious and important questions about the nature of their revolution and its continuation, including whether or not to advance the revolution and seize state power, or to integrate with the current alliance of forces to form a bourgeois republic. Central to this is the future of the People’s Liberation Army — the beloved PLA — to what kind of future Nepal holds. The South Asia Revolution team is currently discussing these events and their meaning for revolutionaries around the world. A public statement will be forth coming.

Maoist leaders to hold crucial PLA meet

KATHMANDU, JUN 07 – The UCPN (Maoist) is holding consultations with senior members of the PLA on Wednesday in a bid to give the combatants an ownership of the ongoing peace process.

Over 200 senior PLA commanders–ranging from the PLA chief to the sub-division commanders and other leaders–will attend the meeting.

PLA Spokesperson Chandra Prakash Khanal, ‘Baldev,’ said they will discuss the PLA integration process and the party’s latest decisions.

The meeting has been called to take the combatants into confidence on the integration process and read their minds on the peace process and the party’s decisions on integration.

The Maoists have taken important decisions on the integration issue such as accepting the Nepali Army’s modality, agreeing to integrate 8,000 to 10,000 combatants and ending the dual security system of Maoist leaders.

The hardliner faction led by senior Maoist Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya has written a note of dissent on some decisions taken by the party on the integration issue.

Nepal: Words From the Maoist PLA

This is from www.myrepublica.com

What Maoist Guards Say

“I have been working as a body guard for our senior leader Mohari Baidya for the last 5 years. I am very proud of being part of the security system provided to the leadership. If the integration  process is beneficial to the people and the country, we will never be an obstacle. I am yet to decide whether to join the government forces or go for politics. I am still consulting my friends and colleagues.” Keshav Subedi (Dolakha)

Republica

People’s Liberation Army (PLA) members  deputed for the security of Maoist leaders are to begin returning to their respective cantonments from Sunday. They recalled to Republica’s Kiran Pun their experience of being part of the security team with Maoist leaders for many years.

These are excerpts:

Yubaraj Dulai ‘Sharad’ (Sindhupalchowk), security guard for party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal:

I have been working with the party chairman for the last 5 years. It is natural that I’m feeling very uncomfortable parting from the leader. I always felt proud while providing security  to such an important national leader, who consistently led the struggle representing our own class.

Setting aside the sentimental aspects, I’m ready to abide by the party’s instruction and act accordingly. I am ready to be integrated into a government security agency if there is a chance to transform the entire national army into a modern and democratic force. But I wouldn’t accept the offer if it will be no more than just a job.

I also plan to summit Mt. Everest in the coming season to give continuity to the bravery and courage that we used to show when we were at war.

Nepal: Baidya Security Forces Refuse to Turn in Arms

This article is from www.myrepublica.com. We don’t have independent confirmation of these events – so we warn readers not to assume its veracity. But if it is true that resistance has emerged against the reactionary plans of integration and disarmament this is an exciting development. And we repeat Mao Zedong’s important truth: “Without a people’s army, the people have nothing.”

Baidya PLA Security Forces Refuse to Turn  in Arms

Kiran Pun

Kathmandu, June 7: The second batch of PLA security personnel, who are providing security to party hardliners and were supposed to return to the cantonments on Monday, have stayed back in Kathmandu after declining to submit their weapons to party headquarters and abide by party directives.

According to sources, over two dozen armed PLA members are yet to hand over their arms to party headquarters and heed the party’s call to return to their cantonments. They have 26 weapons in their possession. Of the 106 PLA guards in Kathmandu, 68 returned to the cantonments on Sunday and the remaining 40 were supposed to leave here Monday.

Howard Zinn, the U.S. Constitution and Revolution in Nepal

This article is from www.myrepublica.com, and details the experiences of one Nepali man’s experience and disillusion with the American system and its hyped leaders and distorted history – and how progressive author Howard Zinn’s writings and contributions to revealing a more honest and comprehensive history of the United States.   

Author Howard Zinn

Zinn  wrote that “Governments – including the government of the United States are not neutral…they represent the dominant economic interests, and their constitutions are intended to serve these interests.”

Zinn died last year while swimming in a California hotel pool, but one of the things he said he wanted to be remembered for was this thought, which I feel is applicable to all Nepalis today.  Zinn wanted people to realize that “Power rests so far in the hands of the people with wealth and guns, but power ultimately rests in people themselves, and that they can use it. At certain points in history they have used it…”

People’s Power

Kuire Ka Kura

Herojig

This week has been extremely quiet in my neighborhood of Dhobighat, Kathmandu with all the bandas and whatnot, but even without them, I always wake up to the sound of birds chirping and dogs barking – as well as to my own Shepard telling me it’s time to go for a walk.

Dhobighat seems thousands of miles away from downtown, where from what I gather folks are haggling over a new constitution, what it should contain, when it should be written, and who should control the process. As an expat, I feel very much an outsider on all that’s happening in the politics of Nepal this week.

Nepal Peoples Army commanders stand up!

We don’t have independent confirmation of these events — so we warn readers not to assume its veracity. Details and quotes in an article like this are unreliable. But if it is true that resistance has emerged against the reactionary plans of integration and disarmament then these are certainly positive and exciting developments.

Mao Zedong expressed an important truth that bears repeating and reflection: “Without a peoples army, the people have nothing.”

This originally appeared on myrepublica.com.

PLA-men refuse non-combatant role

KATHMANDU, June 9: Commanders of the Maoist People´s Liberation Army (PLA) have demanded that their party reject the Nepal Army (NA)´s integration modality that has proposed turning them into a non-combative force.

Arundhati Roy: I’m a Maoist Sympathizer, Not Ideologue

This piece comes from the Guardian (UK) and highlights the experiences of author Arundhati Roy and her time with Indian Maoists known as Naxalites, and in this piece she describes herself as a Maoist sympathizer, but not an ideologue. This is profoundly brave for this author to side with the oppressed of India — while the Indian state continues its murderous acts under the guise of fighting terrorism which they call ‘Operation Greenhunt.’ 

Arundhati Roy authored Walking with the Comrades, an essay describing her time with the Indian Maoists.

Arundhati Roy:

‘They are trying to keep me destabilised. Anybody who says anything is in danger’

The Booker prize-winning novelist on her political activism in India, why she no longer condemns violent resistance – and why it doesn’t matter if she never writes a second novel

This is not an ideal beginning. I bump into Arundhati Roy as we are both heading for the loo in the foyer of the large building that houses her publisher Penguin’s offices. There are some authors, V S Naipaul say, with whom this could be awkward. But not Roy, who makes me feel instantly at ease. A few minutes later, her publicist settles us in a small, bare room. As we take our positions on either side of a narrow desk I liken it to an interrogation suite. But she says that in India, interrogation rooms are a good deal less salubrious than this.

Escalation of Terror: Indian Army Moves Into Maoist-Controlled Areas

The tribal people of Eastern India, targets of the state

Thus far the Indian government has not used its standing army in public, covert operations against the CPI(Maoist), instead relying on a combination of police forces and right-wing militias to attack the Maoists and their tribal supporters. Now it seems that the state’s approach has changed, and it has moved its army into Chhattisgarh, near one of the Maoists’ strongholds. This means the notoriously brutal Indian Army will have new opportunities to commit atrocities. Revolution in South Asia encourages its readers to follow these developments closely. 

The article originally appeared here.

Army moves into naxal region for training jawans

By Krishna Das

The army has entered into the naxal infested region of Chhattisgarh. This entry, however, is not intended at any combat but for training commandos in the jungle warfare.

Cambodia: Activists Protest as Navi from ‘Avatar’ Against Forest Destruction

Though the fight to preserve the Prey Lang forest is not an explicitly Communist struggle, it is important to note that the Cambodian masses are responding to the same capitalist dynamics of ecological destruction, exploitation and rural displacement that have sparked revolutionary upsurges in India, Nepal and elsewhere. Not only is the forest a vitally important source of biodiversity, it provides villagers in four Cambodian provinces with food and a way of life. It should also be noted that these struggle over the future of the Prey Lang forest is being carried out, in part, against companies based in revisionist Vietnam.

“In addition to its wildlife, the largely unprotected forest is also home to a quarter of million people who are largely dependent on its renewable resources, many of whom are from the Kuy indigenous group.”

This article originally appeared here.

Cambodians rally as ‘Avatars’ to save one of the region’s last great rainforests

by Jeremy Hance

Two hundred Cambodians rallied in Phnom Penh last week to protest the widespread destruction of one of Southeast Asia’s last intact lowland rainforests, known as Prey Lang. In an effort to gain wider media attention, protestors donned dress and make-up inspired by the James Cameron film, Avatar, which depicts the destruction of a forest and its inhabitants on an alien world. The idea worked as the rally received international attention from Reuters, CNN (i-report), MSNBC, and NPR, among other media outlets.