Since the ‘People’s war’ was launched by the Maoists four years back, for the first time the Maoists have lost 22 of its fighters activists in a single week and some of them their top brasses. The Party’s General Secretary has revealed that among those killed is an alternative central politburo member Suresh Wagle alias Comrade Basu, who was killed in Gwarkhu of Gorkha.

Similarly, out of the three Maoists killed in Pakhapani VDC of Rolpa, two were at the leadership rank. Meanwhile, a Maoist source said that the style of People’s War has been changed after it was criticised by various quarters. During four years period more than 1,000 people have been killed and property worth more than Rs. 100 million has been destroyed.

Now the Maoists has changed the strategy. Accordingly, they visits villages and take one son or daughter with them by giving Rs. 20,000. They also send Rs. 1,000 per month to the family.

The Maoists’ new strategy is also confirmed by the police. This shows the Maoists are desperate to recruit new and more personnel. But the illiterate and poverty-stricken villagers may have approved the Maoists new tactic.

(Saptahik Janasatta, Saturday, Sept. 18)