`Nepal peace process faces several challenges`

Nepal may have moved ahead from the decade-long Maoist insurgency (1996-2006), but the nation still faces a number of challenges. The Maoists have joined mainstream politics, but their standoff is now with the government after the monarchy.With its Constitution being written, Nepal and its people are hoping for a brighter future. However, somewhere the fear of instability returning to the nation still looms large.

The Editor and publisher of Nepali Times, Mr Kunda Dixit recently brought to Delhi a photo exhibition on Maoist insurgency, titled ‘A People War’, and a documentary, titled ‘Frames of War’, made on the experiences of people who visited the photo exhibition in Nepal. In an interview with Zeenews.com’s Abhishek, the author of ‘Dateline Earth: Journalism as if the Planet Mattered’ talks about Nepal’s current political scenario and the future of the South Asian country. Abhishek: Nepal has seen the worst of Maoist insurgency. Do you think it is now limping back to normalcy? Kunda Dixit: The war has been over for three years, during which time we have gone from being a monarchy to republic. But the peace process continues to face several challenges: mainly the demobilisation of Maoist guerrillas, as also their transition to a mainstream political party and their renouncing violence.Abhishek: After being in the power, do you think Maoists can play a constructive role in the politics of Nepal? Kunda Dixit: Yes, the Maoist agenda is progressive and they are the only party which has some kind of vision for the country. However, they are their own worst enemy and have degenerated into criminality and extortion. Abhishek: Is there any possibility of Maoists picking up arms again now that they are not in power? Kunda Dixit: Not likely. But this means the Maoists should not split, especially along ethnic lines. Abhishek: What actions do you think the Nepal government should take to make sure another people`s war is not forced upon its people? Kunda Dixit: Conclude the peace process by disarming and demobilising the Maoist guerrillas, write the new Constitution and start paying attention to long-neglected economic issues so that investment starts flowing in and jobs are created. Abhishek: What similarities do you find between Nepali Maoists and Indian Naxalites/Maoists? Kunda Dixit: They are inspired by the same ideology, and did have a lot of cooperation and training in the past. However, the Nepali Maoists have now entered the political process, while the Indian Maoists are still in the armed struggle phase. Abhishek: What role does poverty play in spurring such movements? Kunda Dixit: The root cause of revolution is not just poverty but inequity and disenfranchisement of a large section of the rural population. Usually, they are indigenous or aboriginal groups, who are not represented in political-decision making and suffer terrible exploitation. Development and social justice are the best antidote to an insurgency, not a military crackdown.Abhishek: How do you rate the United Nation`s role in reinstating peace in Nepal? Kunda Dixit: UNMIN has been the neutral mediator acceptable to both sides. They have been accused of being softer on the Maoists than on the government, and Prachanda himself has confessed that he hoodwinked the UN into thinking his party had more guerrillas than it really did. But they are still needed as long as the Maoists bear arms. Abhishek: What do you expect from the new Constitution of Nepal? Kunda Dixit: The Constitution is being written by the most representative elected body in Nepal`s history. The committee is working on safeguards so that the issues at the heart of conflict are addressed and the war does not start again.