The hard easy
Though the peace process has reached an advanced stage where the Maoists have become part of the interim parliament and the interim government, mutual distrust still exists between the Koirala-led SPA and the Maoists. The current tussle is epitomised by issues such as improving the management of the Maoist cantonments and the return by them of all the property seized during the ten-year insurgency. Certainly, these things are important enough to merit immediate attention. But they are part of the whole picture of trust that has large dark patches. Going by the spirit of the earlier agreements and understanding, this situation should not have arisen at all — the Maoists having to threaten to go on an indefinite nationwide strike if better management was not ensured of the temporary cantonments housing some 31, 000 Maoist combatants under UN monitors and the government insisting that the Maoists return all the property they seized.
One may argue that as the CA polls, the showpiece of the entire peace process, could not be staged in time, other aspects of the process were bound to suffer. But the pursuit of peace should not be marred by, say, six months of delay. On a positive note, the government has agreed to start managing the Maoist cantonments better and providing allowances, held up for five months, to the combatants, at the rate of Rs.100 per person daily, up from the earlier decision of an allowance of Rs.60. Besides, 1, 000 houses are to be built for 15, 000 combatants. There is no dispute that Maoist combatants are living under unsatisfactory conditions — several have lost their lives, a number of others, including pregnant women, have suffered from a number of diseases like jaundice, and they are vulnerable to dangers of the bites of poisonous creatures like snakes and scorpions.
By the same token, other points of the agreements need to be honoured. Accordingly, the Maoists must return the seized property to its original owners. Only a small fraction of it has gone back to its owners so far — 10 per cent, according to Maoist chairman Prachanda. Some property can be returned without hassle, but some represents a real problem, for instance, in cases where land has already been distributed among the landless, tenants or Kamaiyas who have been tilling it for several years. Here, dialogue and consultation among all the sides concerned, including the government, will be necessary. The YCL excesses are another area that will only deepen mutual suspicion — the Maoist leadership ought to curb the YCL’s anarchic and violent activities, but encourage their good aspects such as helping nab smugglers and doing social work. Compliance by either side with individual points of the agreement is important. But vital is the need to recapture the total spirit of the agreements and understanding from the 12-point agreement onward that shaped Jana Andolan II and other subsequent milestones. They should take their obligations in toto, not on a piecemeal basis. Herein lies the key to unlocking the political logjam.
Source: The Himalayan Times, May 21, 2007
One may argue that as the CA polls, the showpiece of the entire peace process, could not be staged in time, other aspects of the process were bound to suffer. But the pursuit of peace should not be marred by, say, six months of delay. On a positive note, the government has agreed to start managing the Maoist cantonments better and providing allowances, held up for five months, to the combatants, at the rate of Rs.100 per person daily, up from the earlier decision of an allowance of Rs.60. Besides, 1, 000 houses are to be built for 15, 000 combatants. There is no dispute that Maoist combatants are living under unsatisfactory conditions — several have lost their lives, a number of others, including pregnant women, have suffered from a number of diseases like jaundice, and they are vulnerable to dangers of the bites of poisonous creatures like snakes and scorpions.
By the same token, other points of the agreements need to be honoured. Accordingly, the Maoists must return the seized property to its original owners. Only a small fraction of it has gone back to its owners so far — 10 per cent, according to Maoist chairman Prachanda. Some property can be returned without hassle, but some represents a real problem, for instance, in cases where land has already been distributed among the landless, tenants or Kamaiyas who have been tilling it for several years. Here, dialogue and consultation among all the sides concerned, including the government, will be necessary. The YCL excesses are another area that will only deepen mutual suspicion — the Maoist leadership ought to curb the YCL’s anarchic and violent activities, but encourage their good aspects such as helping nab smugglers and doing social work. Compliance by either side with individual points of the agreement is important. But vital is the need to recapture the total spirit of the agreements and understanding from the 12-point agreement onward that shaped Jana Andolan II and other subsequent milestones. They should take their obligations in toto, not on a piecemeal basis. Herein lies the key to unlocking the political logjam.
Source: The Himalayan Times, May 21, 2007
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