Minister Prakash Koirala has accused the Indian government of assisting the Maoists in continuing their over nine-year-old ‘people’s war’. In an exclusive interview to vernacular weekly Janabhavana (August 15), he claims to have a conclusive proof to support his assertion. Citing his acquaintance with one Nepali national in the Indian armed forces, he said that the Indian authorities have helped the “Maoists to receive military training at an army camp near Dehradoon, Uttar Pradesh”. Koirala further alleged that they are aiding the Maoists with the motive of weakening the institution of monarchy.

This is a serious allegation. However, Koirala’s statement, as some say, has to be taken with a pinch of salt. India, like the US, the UK and the Nordic countries, has been putting pressure on the King to give up his personal ambition and restore the democratic order. Meanwhile, Koirala’s allegation also reflects the thinking among some sectors in the country about India’s involvement in one or the other way in the Maoist problem. However, this allegation, made at a time when India itself has shown grave concern over the infiltration of the Maoists into Indian territory, raises doubts about its veracity, for the King-led government is sore with all the democratic powers of the world, including India, for pressurising the King.

Meanwhile, the incumbent government is also afraid of the possibilities of the anti-regression seven-party alliance joining hands with the Maoists, for such an eventuality is sure to provide a fresh and strong lever to all the anti-regression allies which of late have started having an unfavourable view of the monarchy, although there is no clear proof as yet of their going in for a republican order, unlike the radical younger generations in their parties.

Information and Communications Minister Tanka Dhakal has issued a warning to the parties, threatening them with being branded as terrorists themselves, if they ever joined the Maoists as allies. This, apart from provoking the Maoists, has also displeased all those who want peaceful settlement of the insurgency at the earliest. The US, the UK and the EU are urging the country’s all political forces to come together, and help restore peace, order and democracy. Many hold the opinion that any protracted armed action against the Maoists wouldn’t help the government in defeating or destroying the rebels. All those who think that the problem can be resolved through armed strength against the insurgents should take this point into account.

Meanwhile, the Maoists, too, should realise that they can hardly achieve their radical goal in the face of the stiff opposition they face on all fronts. India, like the US, the UK and the EU as well as the UN, wants democracy and constitutional monarchy to stay in the country. This course alone can ensure a stable Nepal and its progress in all spheres. To achieve this, all concerned — the palace, the parties and the Maoists — should revise their views and acts.