Blackwell Reference Online

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The Maoist strategy of a people's war in Nepal combined guerilla attacks and negotiations. During nationwide Maoist attacks in July 2001, over 60 police personnel, specifically in the Banke and Rolpa districts of West Nepal, were killed, injured, or abducted, eventually forcing the resignation of Prime Minister Koirala. The newly appointed prime minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, called upon the Maoists on July 25, 2001 to end violence and negotiate an end to their six-year insurgency. The Maoists (known as Prachanda) responded by announcing a four-month ceasefire and negotiations. On November 25, 2001, the Maoists broke the ceasefire, striking Surkhet Airport and nine other points, including police outposts and district development offices in Dhankuta, Shankhuwasabha, Chitwan, and Khotang districts. Dismayed by three rounds of fruitless peace talks with the government, the Maoists declared a central People's Revolutionary Government, with Baburam Bhattarai as chief convener of the parallel government, and a network of village governments in more than 40 districts throughout the country. The following day, the government responded by declaring an emergency, blaming Maoists for the crisis. By late 2001, the Maoist insurgency had spread to nearly all of Nepal's 75 districts. In a bid to strengthen control of Western Nepal, on February 17, 2002 Maoists attacked Mangalsen, the district headquarters ... log in or subscribe to read full text