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Kathmandu,Tuesday February 15, 2000 Fagun 03, 2056.
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Sit down to negotiate
Maoists celebrated the completion of four years of
their "People’s War" not with a bang but with a whimper. Irrespective of
the manner of celebrations, the Maoist insurgency has become a serious national problem.
Over 1100 people have lost their lives as a direct result of the insurgency. More than 800
of those killed are alleged Maoists and over 100 security personnel have also lost their
lives. The violence that has been unleashed has come in for sharp criticism from the UN
special envoy now on a fact finding mission to Nepal. The senseless and unnecessary
killings must be cease.
One cannot but agree that both the government and
Maoists have carried things a bit too far. The insurgency has also stalled the necessary
development in many parts of the country with the government itself acknowledging that at
least 31 out of the country’s 75 districts have been affected by the Maoist
"People’s War". This is a matter of deep concern for all since and it is
likely that the insurgency will spread if it is not checked in time.
The government has no doubt done well to set up a
committee headed by the former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to carry out negotiations
with Maoists. The reported statement issued by Maoist leader "Prachanda" to mark
the anniversary is not as belligerent as in the past. In fact the statement, if true, is
quite conciliatory and the government must not let the opportunity for talks slip. One of
the main points of the statement "our only concern is the maximum good of the country
and the people" is in the common interest of all Nepalis. The government need not
dispute on this point. Since both the government and Maoists have the same goal of
attaining the "greatest good to the country and people" there is no reason why
the two sides cannot come to the negotiating table and trash out differences. This will
not only save innocent lives but also pave the way for the government to undertake much
needed development activities in the neglected areas of west Nepal. Since both the sides
appear conciliatory, we hope they will not let the opportunity slip. What needs to be
considered is how the "People’s War" as well as the government’s use
of security personnel have affected the common people adversely.
However, even if Maoist problem is solved, the root
cause of the insurgency must be seriously addressed. The gross social and economic
injustice, bad governance, corruption compounded by nepotism and favouritism can at any
time given rise to another similar movement which this country can ill afford. The
government and the party in power must ensure and make visible efforts to eliminate these
factors that can directly weaken the country’s newly established democracy. The
people must also see that the government works for them and for their welfare and not for
a section of the populace no matter how influential they may be.
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