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of (Maoist) – CPN (M)

P.G. Rajamohan Institute for Conflict Management

Formation repercussions.3 Some splinter groups of the communist party and prominent leftist (Maoist) is a leaders like have splinter group from the revolutionary been pro-palace and were supportive of the party-less system while Communist parties alliance- Communist other groups were active in the struggle Party of Nepal (Unity Centre) (established in May 1991) - during mid-1994, formed for the re-establishment of multi-party under the leadership , under the umbrella organization United National People’s alias Prachanda.1 At the same time, the Movement (UNPM). After the restoration political front of the Unity Centre– United People’s Front of Nepal (UPFN), which of democracy and 1991 Parliamentary had 9 Members of Parliament in Nepal, election, Communist Party of Nepal also divided into two groups. The UPFN (Unity Centre) emerged as the third largest party in the Parliament, next to faction, led by Nepali and Communist Party of expressed their willingness and support to 4 work with Communist Party of Nepal Nepal (UML). Ideological confrontation (Maoists) under the leadership of Pushpa and dissatisfaction over the multi-party democratic system under constitutional Kamal Dahal.2 The alliance of two among the CPN (Unity Centre) revolutionary factions -CPN (M) - was not recognized by the Election Commission to leaders led to the disintegration of the contest in the 1994 parliamentary mid- revolutionary and political front split into term election. They stayed outside and two factions. The two different factions led by Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai criticized the parliamentary democratic at one end and Nirmal Lama and Niranjan system and insisted their cadres to get ready for ‘radical change’ through the Govind Vadiya on the other end. The armed struggle. rejection of Election Commission to contest in 1994 election and the

revolutionary zeal in the minds of the People’s Movement to People’s rebel leaders led to the formation of CPN (Maoist) and go underground. The Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) was officially established under the Analysts, opine that the armed struggle leadership of Pushpa Lal Shreshtha in from the mid-Western hilly districts 1947. Communist Party of Nepal has became more vigorous especially after the experienced number of significant Government initiated police operation divisions throughout its history, not only during late 1995 - “Operation Romeo” – in as a result of different orientations Rolpa and Rukum districts, and operation towards popular struggle and kilo sierra II, which were aimed to restrict within Nepal, but also as a result of the Sino-Soviet split and its international 3 See, R. Andrew Nickson, “Democratisation and the growth of in Nepal: A Peruvian Scenario in the Making?” Journal of 1 and David Seddon, “The People’s Commonwealth and Comparative , vol. 30, War in Historical Context,” in The People’s War in no. 3, November 1992. Nepal: Left Perspectives, (: Adroit Publishers, 4 See, House of representative members’ election – 2003), 17. 2048: Final results (: Election 2 Ibid. Commission, 1991), 183. IPCS Database on Armed Groups in South Asia the growing radical communist failure to respond to implement their 40- movement in this region. During an point memorandum was the immediate interview, Maoists political wing leader reason for the declaration of armed Baburam Bhattarai said ‘under this armed struggle. At the end, the Communist Party police operation around 1,500 police of Nepal (Maoists) declared armed personnel, including a specially trained struggle against the government known as commando force sent from Kathmandu, ‘People’s War’ on February 13, 1996 and have been deployed to let loose a reign of they conducted raids in the police check terror against the poor … the posts at Holeri in Rolpa, Atbhiskot in continuing police operation and the Rukum and Sindhiligadhi in Sindhuli virtual reign of white terror seems endless district and looted explosives and other at the moment.’5 The Government’s weapons.10 The Maoists first time ineffectiveness to address the surfaced with violent activities, in the fundamental issues of the people and the most visible and tangible form. On the security forces repressive operations same day, a group of around 300 Maoists against the Maoists cadres resulted in civil attacked farmers development bank at war in Nepal. Maoists anger against the in and set fire Government and the King reflected in the accounts documents.11 Bhattarai’s words, “every revolution appears a dream before it is made. Ideology and Objectives Moreover, it appears like a ‘nightmare’ for the reactionary classes before and after it Immediately after its birth in 1994, the is made”6 The period 1994-95 could be said to represent the first ‘preparatory’ CPN (M) adopted -- phase of the People’s War in Nepal. as their ideological firmament after long deliberations and discussions, On February 4, 1996, Maoists political and it adopts its long term aim of People’s wing leader Baburam Bhattarai led a War as the only path for the successful three-member delegation submitted a 40- establishment of point memorandum to the then Prime through ‘New Democratic Revolution’ with a people’s democratic dictatorship Minister .7 In a broader sense the memorandum included under the leadership of based demands concerning nationality, people’s on the unity of workers and peasants 12 democracy and questions of livelihood. against feudalism and . The other demands include abolition of Accordingly the nature and orientation of special privileges of the King and the the Nepalese armed struggle has been royal family and the promulgation of a clearly specified by the Maoists as, ‘the new republican constitution by the line of protracted people’s war based constituent assembly consisting of elected upon the strategy of surrounding the city from the countryside’.13 On February 13, representatives of the people.8 Maoists gave three days deadline for the 1996, during the riots Maoist cadres government to fulfill their demands, marched with the slogan “let us march unless they threatened to start armed ahead on the path of struggle towards establishing the people’s rule by wrecking struggle.9 They claimed the Government’s the reactionary ruling system of state”.

5 Published in The Independent, Kathmandu, vol. 5, no. 41, December 13-19, 1995. 10 See, Nepali Patra, Kathmandu, February 16, 6 Ibid. 1996. 7 The Gorkhapatra, February 5, 1996. 11 The Rising Nepal, February 15, 1996. 8 The Janadesh Weekly, Kathmandu, February 6, 12 Document adopted by the Third Plenum of the 1996. CC of CPN (Maoist) in March 1995. 9 Ibid. 13 Ibid.

2 Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) – CPN (M)

Maoists strongly believe in the philosophy an interim government and iii) election of Mao Tsetung that “Political power and formation of Constituent assembly. grows out of the barrel of a gun.”14 Areas under Maoists influence Maoists also draw inspiration from the Peru’s left wing extremist guerilla movement, the sendero Luminoso (Shining The Maoist insurgency initially Path) (started in 1980), because of many commenced in the three district of Rolpa, commonalities between Nepal and Rukum and Jajarkot districts in mid- Peruvian society, economy, politics and Western region of Nepal and eventually spread throughout the country with geographical situations.15 The radical 18 communist parties from different parts of varying degree of influence. Commonly, the world including from USA, have Western region, mid-Western region and provided ideological sustenance for the partially in Eastern region will be Nepali Maoists. considered as Maoists strong base areas. By February 2000, the Maoists claimed The political goal of the Maoists is that there were only 9 (out of a total of 75) therefore very clear viz., to capture power districts that had not come ‘under their 19 in the name of establishing ‘new direct influence’. But reports indicate democracy’. The aim of the People’s War that the guerrillas operate to varying is an “historical revolt against feudalism, degrees in 68 of the 75 districts, but it imperialism and so-called reformists”. The varies between moderate to extreme in parameters of emphasizes these districts. The military activities of justice and equality for the backward, the Maoist movement now began to indigenous and suffering increase both in scale and scope, and in and it won’t provide any room for the frequency. The capacity of the Maoists to dominance of feudal forces and capitalist wage their People’s War across a significant area of the countryside was democratic parties.16 In an interview, Maoists leader Prachanda said, “There now becoming increasingly evident will be full freedom to all the anti-feudal through recent attacks in Bhojpur district 20 and anti-imperialist political parties in the and Beni Bazaar in . This has led to the creation of numerous ward, New Democracy”.17 The party has formulated main strategic slogan for the village, area and district-level ‘people’s future as “consolidate and expand base committees’, which are generally known areas and local people’s power” and as ‘people’s governments’. As of now, “March forward to the direction of ‘district people’s governments’ have been 21 building central people’s government”. formed in 21 districts. They have set up Apart from this Maoists immediate "People's Courts" which looks into cases & demands include i) round table giving verdicts, suggesting local conference with all political parties, commanders to take judicial action, where Government and the King, ii) formation of security force have deprived of any such activity against the insurgents.

14 See, Maoists official website: www.cpnm.org 18 Chitra K. Tiwari, “Maoist Insurgency in Nepal: 15 R.A. Nickson, “Democratisation and the Growth Internal Dimensions,” South Asia Analysis Group, of : A Peruvian Scenario in Paper no. 187, January 20, 2001. the Making,” Journal of Commonwealth Studies 19 Mulprabaha, February 14, 2000. and Comparative Politics, 30(3), 1993. 20 Maoists attack on Bhojpur on March 3, 2004 and 16 See Baburam Bhattarai, Politico-Economic Beni Bazaar attack on March 20-21, 2004. Rationale of People’s War in Nepal (Kathmandu: 21 Sudheer Sharma, "The Maoist Movement: An Utprerak Publications, 1998). Evolutionary Perspective," in Deepak Thapa, ed., 17 The Sunday Times of India, , Understanding the Maoist Movement in Nepal December 2, 2001, 13 (Kathmandu: , 2003), p.364.

3 IPCS Database on Armed Groups in South Asia

Party People’s United The official Nepal Police website has Army Front designated six districts including Rolpa, Standing Central United Rukum, Jajarkot, Salyan, Pyuthan and Committee military people's Kalikot in mid-Western Nepal as ‘Class commission district A’- most affected by the Maoists committees insurgency and the presence of security Politburo Regional United forces and government officials is limited military people's to the district headquarters in these commissions area districts. Nine other districts, namely committee Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Central Sub-regional United Kavrepalanchowk, Sindhupalchowk, committee military people's Gorkha, Dang, Surkhet and Achham, are commissions village classified as 'Class B'- moderately affected, committees while 17 'Class C' districts- least affected Regional District United are Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Udaypur, bureaus military people's Makwanpur, Lalitpur, Nuwakot, (five) commissions ward Dhading, Tanahu, Lamjung, Parbat, committees , Gulmi, Arghakhachi, Bardiya, Sub- Included in Dailekh, Jumla and Dolpa.22 regional this are: bureaus (in Temporary Command structure of CPN (M) some places battalion special sub-

regional In general, Communist of Party of Nepal bureau) (Maoist) has its own traditional structure based on the Communist ideology. It has District Companies the most powerful standing committee at committees the top, followed by the politburo, central Area Platoons committee, regional bureaus, sub-regional committees bureaus, district committees, area Cell Squads committees, and cell committees. The committees (separate assists Politburo to people's issue directives to the Standing militias also Committee and the Party. The exist under committees at village, area and district united levels will assist the Regional Bureau, village which has five bureaus i.e., eastern, people's central, , western and committees) international department in every issue. Source: Sudheer Sharma, "The Maoist The politburo and standing committee Movement: An Evolutionary Perspective," in reportedly formulate most of the political Deepak Thapa, ed., Understanding the Maoist and strategic policies. Movement in Nepal (Kathmandu: Centre for Social Research and Development, 2003) 379.

The Party has two separate wings as military and political divisions. The military wing known as People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has its Central

22 See Nepal Police website: Military Commission to co-ordinate its http://www.nepalpolice.gov.np/ military operations, which will be assisted

4 Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) – CPN (M)

by the regional, sub-regional and district indigenous people (Jan Jatis), i.e., , level commissions. The Maoists Political Gurungs, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs, Dalits wing, United People’s Front (UPF) has and Tharus of region.26 Besides, the different committees from the district dominating Hindu communities, level to the ward level. Brahmins and Chettris also joined in the political and military wings in the Maoists Leadership, Cadres and Training party. Among the Maoist fighters – about 60 per cent – are deployed in the mid-west and west in their strongholds. Another 10 The Chairman of CPN (M) and its chief of per cent are in the far west with around 10 operations is, Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias percent in Gorkha, the rest is located in Prachanda. Another front ranking leader Kathmandu valley and east of it.27 The Baburam Bhattarai heads the political Maoists have women cadres in their wing of the Maoists known as, United armed units and they constitute another 23 People’s Front (UPF). Ram Bahadur significant dimension of the support base Thapa alias Badal is the military strategist of the Maoists movement. They have and commander for the Maoists ‘People’s been used during the operations against 24 Army’. Apart from this the top-level the security forces to the extent possible. commanders of the insurgents include Women have become squad commanders among others, Yan Prasad Gautam alias and are also active in platoons, companies Alok, Chitranarayan Shrestha, Shashi and battalion. In some places, separate Shrestha, Hisila Yami, Krishna Bahadur guerilla squads comprising women only Mahara, Santhosh Bura, Mohan Vaidya have been formed.28 According to an alias Kiran and Lekhraj Bhatt, C.P. estimate about 30% of Maoist guerrillas Gajurel. In the political wing, the comprise of women.29 Recently, Maoists important Maoist leaders include, have started using the children in their Parvati (a nom de guerre of war against the government. Maoists Baburam Bhattarai’s wife Hisila Yami), have been abducting the youth including , Ram Bahadur minors, women and tea chers to force them Thapa alias Badal, Matrika Yadav, Deb to participate in ‘Peoples’ Militia Training Bahadur Gurung, Krishna Dhoj Khadka, Campaign’ and organization meetings.30 Rekha Sharma, Rabindra Shrestha, Bamdev and Mumaram Khanal. According to the reports number of retired Gorkha soldiers of the British and Government estimates provided in early the Indian Army involved in arms and 2003 on the CPN-M strength indicated physical training for the Maoist cadres. that there are approximately 5,500 Serving soldiers from the Indian Army on combatants, 8,000 militia, 4,500 cadres, leave either pay a donation or run a 3 to 4 33,000 hard-core followers, and 200,000 day training capsule for Maoist recruits.31 25 sympathizers. The social groups that Apart from that the Nepali Maoists constitute the bulk of the Maoist support are from the Magurali combination of 26 S.D. Muni, “Support Base and Political Goals,” Maoist Insurgency in Nepal: The Challenge and 23 The United People’s Front (UPF) is no longer the Response (New Delhi: Rupa & Co, 2003), 13. used in the political situation of Nepal and it is 27 South Asia Terrorism Portal, Op. Cit. no.23. partially extinct term. 28 Hisila Yami and Baburam Bhattarai, Marxbad ra 24 Prakash A. Raj, “Naming Names: Profiles of Mahila Mukti (Kathmandu: Utprerak Prakashan, some Maoist Leaders,” Maoists in the Land of 2000), p.66. Buddha – An Analytical Study of the Maoist 29 Chitra K. Tiwari, Op. Cit. n.18. Insurgency in Nepal (New Delhi: Nirala 30 Report in Kantipuronline, June 20, 2004. Publications, 2004), p.186. 31 Ashok K. Metha, “The Maoist Insurgency in 25 South Asia Terrorism Portal, Nepal Terrorist Nepal”, Dialogue, Vol. 4, No. 2, October – Groups - Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist. December 2002.

5 IPCS Database on Armed Groups in South Asia received training from the Indian left- age 9 and above.35 Separately, the All wing extremist groups like People’s War Nepal Women’s Association, Maoists Group (PWG), Maoist Communist Centre affiliated Women’s organizations also (MCC)32 and even from the rebel groups play an effective role in their own base like United Liberation Front of Asom areas. In addition to the frontal (ULFA), Kamtapur Liberation organizations inside Nepal, the major Organisation (KLO)33, and Liberation organizations close to the Maoists that are Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). active in India are the All India Nepali Unity Society, the All India Nepali Maoists affiliated organisations Students’ Association, the All India Nepali Youth Association and the All India Ethnic Society. Maoists call for Indian With the aim of spreading out their Nepalis was expressed in its supreme movement and ‘People’s War’, Maoists leader Prachanda’s speech in the Second have formed around a dozen ethnic and National Conference of CPN (M) in regional fronts such as: Magarat National February 2001, ‘…the success of Nepalese Liberation Front, Tamuwan National People’s War and revolution cannot be Liberation Front, Taruwan National imagined if Nepalese dwelling in India Liberation Front, Tamang National are separated from it…’.36 Liberation Front, Thami National Liberation Front, Majhi National Liberation Front, Madhesi National Maoists External Linkages Liberation Front, Newa Khala, the Nepal Dalit Liberation Front and Karnali The International contacts of the Nepali Regional Liberation Front.34 The Maoists expanded during the 1980’s when operations and activities of these frontal they became a founding member of the organizations are coordinated through the ‘Revolutionary Internationalist ethnic and regional fronts coordination Movement’ (RIM) along with other left committee of the CPN (Maoist). insurgent movement from US, Latin America and other parts of the world. The All Nepal National Independent The Maoists of South Asia have tried to Student’s Union-Revolutionary [ANNISU- institutionalize their contacts developed R], a Maoist affiliated students through RIM. Among the Indian organization claims a membership of Communist groups, with whom the 600,000 ranging from school children of Nepali Maoists admit of having “direct and continuous debate”, names of People’s War Group (PWG) and the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC), are 37 32 specifically mentioned. Further, the A surrendered Maoists battallion commander subversive alliance began the process of Jaya Bahadur Gharti, admitted that the Indian groups i.e., PWG and MCC trained the laying a corridor, which is now widely Nepali Maoists in Rolpa and Rukum districts, referred to as the Revolutionary Corridor during a press meet on January 22, 2004. (RC) extending from Nepal to across six 33 Mohan Vaidya alias Kiran, Standing Committee Indian States, including , memb er of the Maoists organization during an interview accepted their linkages with North-east India’s insurgent groups, chiefly with ULFA and 35 Paul Harris, “Riots, Bombs and Strikes hit Nepal KLO, The Telegraph, April 13, 2004. as Maoists’ Step up People’s War,” Jane’s 34 Sudheer Sharma, Op. Cit. n.21. Recently, the Intelligence Review, February 2001, p.45. Limbuwan National Liberation Front and 36 The Worker, (Organ of the CPN-M), No. 7, Khambuwan National Liberation Front were January 2002. merged to form the Kirat National Liberation 37 Deepak Thapa, on Maoists Indian Connection, Front. Nepali Times, December 14-20, 2001.

6 Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) – CPN (M)

Chhattisgarh, , Andhra wing extremist group, the Communist Pradesh, Orissa and . Party of India––Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML) This entire area has been identified in Janashakthi, which has a marginal Maoist literature as the Compact presence at least in six Indian States, but is Revolutionary Zone (CRZ).38 The very active in isolated and limited number increasing level of cooperation between of pockets in , reportedly these groups led to the sharing of has linkages and expressed its support to knowledge about guerilla warfare, bomb the Maoists. manufacturing techniques and arms training. Nepalese Maoist leaders The substantial number of Nepali attended the March 2001 Congress of population in India have established a PWG held at Abuz Marh in the Bastar country wide organization called Akhil region of .39 Reports Bharatiya Nepal Ekta Samaj (ABNES)43 for indicated that they have constituted a joint unity and welfare of the Nepali Indo-Nepal Border Regional Committee community. However, it gradually (INBRC) to secure their common became involved in subversive activities objectives.40 and operated as a front organization for Nepali Maoist insurgents. The establishment of CRZ gave a wider space and platform for the proscribed left- There is also some reportage about the wing extremist organizations in South Nepalese Maoists links with the India’s Asian region especially from Nepal and north-east insurgent groups like United India along with 10 other fraternal outfits Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), to form the Coordination Committee of Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), Maoist Parties and Organization of South National Democratic Front of Bodoland Asia (CCOMPOSA) in July 2001.41 So far, (NDFB), Gorkha National Liberation Front CCOMPOSA has clandestinely conducted (GNLF), Liberation Organisation three conferences in India.42 Besides, a left- (GLO) and Gorkha Liberation Tiger Force (GLTF). Maoist’s procured arms and military trainings from these insurgent 38 Sanjay K. Jha, “The Compact Revolutionary groups and in return they provided Zone,” South Asia Intelligence Review, vol. 1 no. training camps for them in eastern 34, March 10, 2003. The Compact Revolutionary Nepal.44 Though there are no direct Zone (CRZ) was organized by the Nepal and Indian members of the left-extremist-Movements, evidences on Maoists linkages with the in a meeting at Siliguri in West in India Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during August 2001. 39 PV Ramana, “PWG Naxal -Nepal Maoists March 2004. Press Release of CPN (M), Nexus,” www.observerindia.com, November 21, http://cpnm.org/, April 10, 2004. 2003. 43 The Government of India banned Akhil 40 Sanjay K. Jha, Op. Cit. n.37. Bharatiya Nepal Ekta Samaj (ABNES) under the 41 CCOMPOSA includes: Communist Party of Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) in July 2002. Nepal (Maoist), ABNES secretary, Bamdev Chettri was arrested on (Marxist-Leninist)(People’s War), Maoist September 6, 2002 by the Indian police in Delhi for Communist Centre (MCC), Revolutionary his subversive activities and subsequently deported Communist Centre of India (MLM), Revolutionary to Nepal. Communist Centre of India (Maoist), Communist 44 Bijoy Shankar Handique, “Maoists offer ULFA Party of India (ML)(Nakshalbari), Purba Bangla sanctuary in Nepal”, Sarbahara Party (CC), Purba Bangla Sarbahara http://assam.org/article.php?sid=261 . Maoist’s Party (Maoist Punarghathan Kendra), Bangladesh leader Gajurel held talks with ULFA chief Paresh Samyabadi Party (ML), Communist Party of Barua, KLO leader Sunil Biswas on providing Ceylon (Maoist). training camps in Nepal during October 2002. In 42 The First Conference of CCOMPOSA held in Nepal, ULFA had four camps and gained three July 2001. The second Conference held in August more after the Bhutanese security forces operations 2002. The Third Conference held from 16 to 18th in Bhutan during December 2003.

7 IPCS Database on Armed Groups in South Asia in Sri Lanka, it is suspected that Maoists received arms trainings from LTTE through the PWG connection.

Media and the Maoists Maoists have established their wide access with print and electronic media. 'Janadesh' and 'Mahima' are two newspapers, which are sympathetic to the insurgents, and their views are aired through these papers. Recently, Maoists have established a FM radio station during January 2004, named "People's Seti-Mahakali broadcast" in .45 Maoists have their own website (www.cpnm.org & http://www.geocities.com/nepalmaobad i/) in the electronic media too.

45 “Nepal Maoists Set up FM Radio Station,” Nepal Samacharpatra, January 25, 2004.

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