Peace and The Politics of Violence in Nepal

By Deepak Dahal

Gorkha - After the February 1 royal takeover, seeing the possibility of an alliance with political parties, the Maoists have changed their goal from republic to "democratic republic". Even at village conventions or meetings with parties and representatives of civil society, they have been insisting on supporting them in their fight to achieve a democratic republic setup. However, in the meantime, in their quest to seize central power, which they have termed their "final battle", they carry on with their military training.

The Maoist base area Pokhari Thok, is a day's walk from the district headquarters. Swara, Saurapani, Thumi, Aajha Aawangi, Laapu, Gumda, Laprak and Waprak are the main Maoist stronghold areas. Locals of these areas languish in dire poverty. With a few exceptions, there is hardly anybody who can subsist on the vegetables that are grown for a period of little over three months.

Locals live hand to mouth by herding sheep and mountain goats, selling hand-crafted bamboo products, and working as porters. These are the very areas teeming with Maoists, who extort money and freeload on the locals on a regular basis.

"Besides regular extortions and having to feed the Maoists for free, there is no politics of violence," 73-year-old Birkha Bahadur Gurung says sarcastically.

However, the Chief of Maoist district people's government, Lek Bahadur Thapa Magar alias Jibanta, begs to differ completely. "People's militia patrols the areas to protect villagers. They cook and eat their own food. What people misconstrue as extortion is actually the tax they have to pay us."

The youth in the area have been forced to carry guns. Ignorant of the sinister agenda behind the politics of violence, the youth give indoctrinated readymade answers without any thought, "We are compelled to carry guns for people's freedom."
Verandas and walls of houses are filled with party slogans.

Walking through village paths, one is bound to come across dozens of patrolling party cadres. "This is our base area. It is our duty to provide security to the people living in the region of our control," Sameer, a Maoist cadre explains.

The locals are familiar with the entire Maoist leaders and cadres in their region though they complain of having to attend Maoist organized public meetings. A mess is run throughout the day every day in the village to feed the cadres. And during special programs and training sessions, around two to four separate messes are run.

The concept of collective participation has paved the way for communal farming and construction of roads, buildings and entry gates. "We are moving ahead in a new direction by destroying the old setup," says District Secretary Lok Prasad Banjara alias Akkal.

In their own words, they are in charge of the areas they have captured and will capture in the course of the people's war. However, people in the region are not ready to trust or give up their claims that easily. There are no signs of relief from extortion or having to feed the rebels for free. Instead, the tax amount to be paid to the people's government has gone up.

Maoists have set up their own holidays for schools in place of the days allocated by the government. "We will certainly have to obey them. But how are we going to send reports to the District Education Office about closure of schools imposed by Maoists during school days," a teacher expresses his dilemma.

For most people living in the rural areas of Northern Gorkha, politics is hardly their main concern. Guns, bombs, and extortions - these have become the daily realities, which only serve to exacerbate their already impoverished lives. All they wish now is peace.

"Peace will not prevail until we come to power. Any other form of peace is not real peace. If you want lasting peace, support us," one of the villagers quoted a Maoist dogma that is regularly disseminated at village conventions.

Do we really have to support Maoists for peace to prevail in our lives? Or, can we just go on with our lives and create an environment where we can work and make a living for ourselves without having to support anybody? These are the questions the villagers in northern Gorkha ask.

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