Nepal: Maoists Pull Out of Government, Troubles in Terai

No Comments | September 19th, 2007 | Trackback

Maoists pulled out of the coalition government in a dispute over abolishing the monarchy, raising concerns that the fragile peace in Nepal could be in jeopardy. The former rebels have vowed not to take up arms again but to press their demands through peaceful demonstrations. They have argued that the monarchy should be abolished before constituent assembly elections take place Nov. 22, but the prime minister has resisted, saying only the constituent assembly can make that decision. Demonstrations are likely in Kathmandu if the parties do not reach a settlement, and whether these protests stay peaceful remains to be seen. In southern Nepal’s Terai region, curfews were imposed Sept. 17 in Butwal and Kapilavastu after violence followed the murder of a powerful local leader. Four were killed, nearly a hundred cars were burned, and the unrest began to take on Hindu-Muslim overtones. The Terai plains have been plagued by political violence the past year, with some 150 people having died as result.