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During the ten-year civil war between the state and the Maoists, thousands fled their homes to safety. For many, the displacement was forced. Maoist guerillas in villages across the nation systematically targeted those who refused their command, those considered to be pro-government and the intellectuals. The so-called “undesirables” had their property confiscated, some were violently attacked and lost loved ones, and public humiliation was used against them – in short, a campaign to make them leave their homes was launched.
Two years after the end of civil war, the majority of those internally displaced are still unable to go home. Their property is still under Maoist control or has been distributed to those loyal to the guerillas. Those who were displaced do not feel it is safe enough to return. Nepal’s government, meanwhile, when not busy weaving a tale of lies and misinformation, is using the police force to crack down on the internally displaced who take their grievances to the streets demanding justice.
The apathy of the government, no matter how revolting, is nothing new in Nepal. The state with its laissez-faire attitude has pushed a large number of its citizens into the “second-class” section. The internally displaced, as well as women, those of the so-called “lower caste” and the “untouchables,”physically and mentally disabled persons, and many other groups, are treated as less than equal by the Nepalese government.
In the case of women and those affected by the caste system, the state uses “cultural roadblocks” to shield itself from the responsibility of fair treatment. For the disabled, the smokescreens for the state to hide behind are the financial problems and lack of awareness among citizens. The reason the Nepali government’s inaction over the plight of the internally displaced is so troubling is because this is a sign of more to come.
Maoists are the largest party in the Constituent Assembly. Although their candidate lost in the presidential and vice presidential polls, there is no denying their strength and influence. Negotiations are under way to form the new coalition government; most likely Maoists will lead the government and will get the ministerial positions that matter.
This is the same Maoist party that launched the campaign to displace those who challenged their authority. They had no qualms about using force to make a family leave the only home they knew, leaving behind their life’s earnings. They had no problem confiscating private property and distributing it among loyalists. Now this party is going to form a government.
It is questionable, to put it mildly, that the Maoists will do anything to help the displaced population. The ongoing campaign to intimidate the displaced also seems like an understanding between the Maoists and the state.
The fact that Nepal is ignoring women, caste victims, and the disabled is troubling, but when the state colludes with a political party to deny the citizens their rights and security, it shows that the country is delusional and on a path to self destruction.
When Ram from Gorkha had to leave his home in the middle of the night to stay alive, when Hari’s harvest was forcibly taken and all his property confiscated because the comrades saw him as “bourgeois,” the state failed them. Now it is time to correct past mistakes and not engage in petty politics.
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(Bhumika Ghimire is a freelance reporter. Her articles have been published at OhMyNews, NepalNews, Toward Freedom, Telegraph Nepal, Himal South Asian and ACM Ubiquity. She is also a regular contributor for News Front Weekly (Nepal) and Nepal Abroad (Washington D.C.). She can be reached at bhumika_g@yahoo.com. ©Copyright Bhumika Ghimere)
