Six years of unsatisfactory ‘peace process’ have not delivered a new democratic constitution for Nepal, or a human rights accounting for crimes committed during ten years of brutal civil war.
The country is without a parliament as the supreme court ruled in May that the constituent assembly/parliament elected in 2008 could not extend its term any further. Elections scheduled for the end of November have been deferred until April. As PN went to press, the president was setting a tight deadline (end of November) for the formation of a new national consensus government. This was being resisted by the Maoists (who lead the coalition government), but welcomed by the other main opposition parties: Congress and the United Marxist-Leninists.
Meanwhile, in much of eastern Nepal, former Maoist guerrillas who failed to qualify for integration into the security services were enforcing an indefinite ‘bhandh’ strike (mainly road blockades), demanding unconditional release of jailed ex-combatants, better benefits and compensation, and an official letter of appreciation.
At the request of opposition parties, the supreme court has blocked a 200,000-rupee (£1,400) payment to each disqualified ex-militant. The ex-fighters also oppose the payment as it is less than the award made to those who voluntarily gave up the option of applying to join the regular military.