March 23, 2007:
The Maoists are accusing the king of fomenting the anti-Maoist violence.
But the king is isolated and largely ignored. It's the Maoists who are causing
the trouble, by coming out of the hills and jungles, and trying to have their
way with a population that will not put up with that sort of behavior. The
Maoists are dismayed to discover that they are not the only unhappy, and
violent, groups in the country. The Maoists aren't running a police state yet,
so they don't have the means to just crack down on their opponents. The Maoist
leaders appear confused at this development, and unsure of how they should
proceed.
March 22, 2007:
Businesses agreed to call off their nationwide strike, as Maoists
promised to back off on the extortion.
March 21, 2007:
In the south, clashes between ethnic Indians and Maoists left over 30
dead. The ethnic Indians (or Mahadhesis) are fed up with being pushed around by
the Maoists, the government, and everyone in general. The immediate cause of
the violence was a dispute over which group would use a field for a rally.
March 20, 2007:
Maoist leaders apologized for the "excessive" fund raising by
some of its members, and promised to ease up on the extortion.
March 19, 2007:
Businesses in the capital, and across the nation, have gone on strike (closed) to protest
increasing extortion efforts by Maoists. These now include kidnapping and
beatings. The Maoists are demanding large sums (like over $100,000 from a
tourist hotel) in "revolutionary taxes."
March 17, 2007:
In the south, street battles between Mahadhesis (ethnic Indian groups)
and members of the political party alliance (which currently controls the
government with the Maoists), left over 70 injured. The Mahadhesis represent
about a third of the population, and feel left out.
March 16, 2007:
In the south, Maoists kidnapped and killed the leader of local ethnic
Indians. This caused great anger.
March 15, 2007:
The peace deal was put in doubt as the Maoists admitted, even boasted,
of thousands of their gunmen, and their weapons, that did not get registered
and interned.
