February 9, 2008: In the south, police have started cracking
down on the ethnic political groups. Many of these have gone from political
activism to criminal activity (extortion of "taxes" and increasing violence).
Gang/group leaders have been arrested, which often cripples the group. Anonymous
violence has become an increasingly popular tactic. Setting off bombs has
become more common, with political rallies and busses being popular targets. While
most of these violent groups are associated with the Maoists, southern ethnic
activists or royalists. Now some anonymous groups are showing up, doing things
like raiding rural police stations for weapons.
With a new law passed, to eliminate the
monarchy, the monarchists are getting organized, and violent. There are now
several bombings a month, and this is expected to get worse as the April 10
national elections get closer. The bombers are from several groups, but the
monarchists are feared the most, because they have been relatively quiet so
far.
The Maoists are running in the elections,
and are making Nepalis nervous with things like a call for people to celebrate
the birthday of North Korean dictator Kim Il Sung. The Maoists want a North
Korean type government for Nepal, but without the famine and economic
disasters.
Revolution is in the air, what with the
feudal economy, poverty and ethnic tensions to motivate the young folks to
demand change at any cost. There may not be any change in the end, but there
will be a high cost.
