There are strong indications that the days of the Maoists’ People’s War are numbered. The Maoists armed movement had flourished during the instability in the government. The present majority government of the Nepali Congress is exercising to quell the Maoists’ movement once and for all.

The Maoists’ bad days started after it also began attacking the  UML and the RPP, and these parties too began taking them as their common enemy.

The Nepali Congress, especially under the initiative NC’s president Girija Prasad Koirala, is working out plans and also sharpening the legal provisions to fight the Maoists. The recent bill registered in the parliament to amend some laws regarding internal administration is an example. These amendments are proposed keeping an eye on the Maoists.

Though the Nepali Congress can easily get the bill through the parliament, but it wants other parties on its side to pass the bill.

Recently, RPP president Surya Bahadur Thapa indicated that his party might support the bill. Similarly, in his recent statement UML’s K.P. also called the Maoists movement as directionless and insane. But the Congress is not certain that it would get the support of these parties.

Meanwhile, the government, after much criticism for the law and order situation of the country, increased police activities in the Maoist-affected areas.

In the recent ‘Jungle Search Operation’ of the police several central level leaders of the Maoists are killed. Almost two dozen Maoists have been killed since the police launched its operation. But the police has suffered no loss. This has encouraged the police. The government is trying to assist them with strong legal provisions. After the bill is passed, the police can indict the Maoists, who are till now are dealt for stealing, robbery and murder only, as terrorists and take action.

(Deshantar, September 19, Sunday)