Maoist Internal Strategy

Pramod Raj Sedhain

he relation between Nepal's largest party -- the Unified CPN-Maoist -- and India has at all times come under controversy. The reason: Maoists top brass have recurrently blamed India for the turmoil in Nepal. More than this, they often accuse India of meddling in Nepal's internal affairs, which India denies. This, they argue, has adversely affected in the government formation process. The issue of Indian interference, as Maoists leaders claim, has hindered Nepal's peace process. However, unlike India, Maoist's relationship with the northern neighbor, China has been something atypical. Be it the episode of Maoist's demand of hefty amount to "purchase" lawmakers or the China trip of Maoist combatants – both these episodes have proved that the Maoists share unusual relationship with China.

Now that, the most recent bit of information acquired by this channel has revealed that the Maoists are preparing for a final revolt and that too with all sorts of assistance from the northern neighbor. The latest information acquired by this writer proves that the Maoists have sought Chinese assistance to wage a final and decisive revolt once again.

This shows that the largest party in the Constituent Assembly is preparing for a decisive war to establish their regime. Despite the fact that the Maoists 'used' the Indian soil during their underground decade-long what they call "People's War", they tilted towards the north after joining the mainstream politics. A report, submitted to party Supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal by some Maoist leaders, shows that they are making preparations for a final war in the country.

The report had highlighted that they need Chinese support to wage a final war in Nepal. It should be noted that an eleven-member Maoist delegation had visited China between 2067 Asar 15th to 25th to seek support from China. During the visit, the Maoist leaders had informed the Chinese side of their decisive war in Nepal. However, the report does not mention anything about the Chinese version on the issue. The 9-page report signed by Maoist Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha has several pictures of the Maoist leaders' visit to China and their meetings with various Chinese leaders. Shrestha had led the delegation. The point number 4 of the report says that the Maoists have sought Chinese support to wage a final revolt in Nepal. The report also states that India has barred the Maoists to lead the government in Nepal. Similarly, according to the report, the Chinese side has assured of providing a web-server space, radio and television equipment, among others. The report also states that the Maoists discussed with the Chinese side to suppress the Tibetan movement in Nepalese soil.

The Maoist leaders had a three-hour long discussion with the Chinese side, according to the report submitted to party Chairman Dahal. This has explicitly exposed the Maoist's relationship with China. The report has also raised dissatisfaction over the dissolution of the Communes in China. Such a secret report has tried to drag power countries like India and China to in Nepal's internal affairs, which is sure to adversely affect Nepal's sovereignty.

Shobraj & crime - identical

Pramod Raj Sedhain

The Supreme Court rejected an appeal by convicted killer Charles Sobhraj over the murder of an American backpacker. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of US tourist Connie Jo Bronzich in 1975. Sobhraj has been serving term for the past seven years. Supreme Court Justices Ram Kumar Prasad Shah and Gauri Dhakal said that the verdict on the case will be announced after two weeks -- that is -- on July 30. Sobhraj was arrested by Nepal Police while he came to visit Nepal and was sentenced to life imprisonment on August 12, 2004.
Nicknamed "Serial Killer" and "Bikini Killer"
The 'bikini-killer' linked to murders throughout Asia, Charles Shobraj is a popular, yet disliked name for his heinous crime. Serial-killer Sobhraj has been an annoyance to many, especially to the police when it comes to his deceptive disguises, murder tactic and escaping from the jails. Throughout his criminal career, Sobhraj either escaped from jail or bribed the authorities to treat him preferentially while in prison. His knack for deceptive disguises, coupled with his tendency to target young women earned him the nickname, "The Serpent," or the "Bikini Killer." Sixtyfour-year old Sobhraj is also believed to have escaped from prisons in Afghanistan, Greece, Iran and India. So extraordinary has been his life of crime that after being released from jail in India - where he served a 20 year sentence for poisoning a busload of French tourists - the film and book rights were reportedly sold to a French actor-producer for 15m US dollars. Rejection by his father was an act which caused considerable resentment and bitterness in the young Sobhraj. His tactic, say his critics, was always the same. Between 1972 to 1982, Sobhraj has been implicated in more than 20 killings in which the victims were drugged, strangled, beaten or burned. His capacity for violence, critics say, is matched only by his ability to escape from prison. In 1971, he escaped from jail in India by feigning appendicitis and making his getaway from hospital. He was re-arrested in 1976, but 10 years later made an even more audacious escape: this time by throwing a birthday party in which guards and prisoners alike were invited. Grapes and biscuits handed around the guests were secretly injected with sleeping pills, knocking out everyone except Sobhraj and four other escapees. He often said as long as he can talk to people, he can manipulate them. As a fugitive, Sobhraj is reported to have behaved more like a holidaying student than a desperate prisoner prepared to stop at nothing to evade justice. He openly drank in bars and showed off an Italian made pistol to fellow drinkers. Needless to say, it was not long before he was re-arrested. But, it is alleged, there was a method in his madness. Critics say that he deliberately escaped towards the end of his 10 year jail term in order to be re-captured and face new charges for his escape. That way he could avoid extradition to Thailand where he was wanted for five murders and would almost certainly be given the death penalty. By the time of his release in 1997, the 20 year time-frame for him to be tried in Bangkok had lapsed. But the authorities caught up with him again several years later. In 2003, he was arrested in a Kathmandu casino for allegedly travelling on a false passport and for murders of a Canadian man and an American woman which he allegedly carried out 28 years ago. As in the other cases registered against him, Sobhraj denied the charges. But this time, police said they had a "suitcase full" of evidence against him. And the judge agreed, despite Sobhraj's appeal that he had been convicted without proof or witnesses. Sobhraj, a French national, was sentenced to life by a Nepalese court in August after holding him guilty of murdering American woman Konizo Brohich here in December 1975.

The Victims:

1975 - Teresa Knowlton (Seattle) - Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Jennie Bollivar (America) - Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Vitali Hakim (Sephardic Jew) - Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Henk Bintanja, 29 (Dutch student) -Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Cornelia Hemker, 25 (Dutch student) - Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Charmayne Carrou (Hakim’s girlfriend) - Pattaya, Thailand

1975 - Laurent Ormond Carriere, 26 (Canada) - Kathmandu, Nepal

1975 - Connie Bronzich, 29 (California) - Kathmandu, Nepal

1975 - Avoni Jacob (Israeli student) – Calcutta, India

1975 - Jean-Luc Solomon (France) – Delhi, India

Arrested:

1963 – Paris – burglary1969 – Paris - evading police in a stolen vehicle

1973 – Delhi - armed robbery1973 – Afghanistan – robbery

1975 – Greece – robbery1976 – New Delhi - murder (Solomon)

1986 – Goa – jailbreak

2003 – Kathmandu, Nepal – murder (Carriere and Bronzich)Jails escaped by Charles Shobraj· French prison in 1969
· A hospital in India 1971
· Afghanistan prison in 1972
· Iranian prison in 1973
· Greece prison in 1975
· Tihad Jail (India) 1986

Nepalese language: A passion in lebanon Pramod Raj Sedhain (after returning from Lebanon)
Never in history has Nepal remained under anybody's dominance and control. Even the East India Company could not influence the Nepalese territory. And this has been a matter of pride to every Nepali. Since time immemorial, Nepalese people lived in dignity, harmony and honor and have been the same today as well. Even today, Nepal's flag flutters in a foreign land, Nepalese army holds their heads high with pride and the Nepali language sprinkles love, affection and passion. Love for Nepali language is immense even in a foreign land.

However, in recent times in the country, certain elements are making efforts to bring about fracas among different groups in the name of ethnicity and religion thus disrupting the age-old cultural as well as religious harmony. Some elements are even trying to impose their own ideology. Such tendencies have fuelled ethnic clashes. However, the Nepalese flag, culture and language have influenced people in various countries, including Lebanon. Nepal is the land of the world's highest peak, the Mt. Everest and is blessed with fortunes.

Unfortunately, arguments for and against changing the national flag is currently underway. That is not all. The issue of language is equally dragged into controversy. Parties and certain elements are making efforts to eliminate other languages, religion and culture, which can be dubbed a conspiracy to disintegrate the national harmony and unity.

The feelings and love of Nepali language could be easily seen when three youths of various occupations in Lebanon started their conversation in fluent Nepali language. A citizen of Lebanon named Karim Alaiyan but is commonly known as "Nepali Maila". This youth has neither visited Nepal, but is very much accustomed to Nepalese culture, tradition, geography and speaks Nepali language fluently. Sometimes, even the Nepalese peacekeepers get startled when Nepali Maila starts his conversation in Nepali language with them. Upon seeing a new Nepali recruit, Nepali Maila moves forward to shake his hands with him saying, "Namaskar, k chha haalkhabar?" (Greetings, how are you?). He instantly says, "My name is 'Maila' and I am from Pokhara." He, however, constantly reveals that he is a local of Lebanon but loves Nepal and Nepali language. He adds that he likes to introduce himself as "Nepali Maila." That is not all. This 37-year old married youth even sings typical Nepali folk songs in a typical Nepali way. His favorite folk numbers include – "Mayalu ko chitthi aayena, Khaau bhane suntali paani, Laibari lai…" among others. Interestingly, the Nepali Army peacekeepers gave the nickname of "Nepali Maila" to this innocent Lebanese.

Alaiyan, who works as a chef at the canteen of Nepalese peacekeepers since 1990, is the second son of his parents. He is so confident that he has been demanding the job of an interpreter. This "Nepali Maila" has spent three years in England.

Similarly, Danish army official Henrick, too, speaks Nepali language. "I like Nepali language and I love Nepal," he says. Like Henrick and Nepali Maila, two other Lebanese people, including a traffic police and a businessman are equally fluent in Nepali language. Businessman Ahamad Ali speaks in Nepali while dealing with Nepalese peacekeepers.

Back in Nepal, the national language, nationality and integrity have come under serious threat. Stakeholders, however, seem to be least bothered. Isn’t it high time that all concerned take lesson and get influence from a foreigner like "Nepali Maila".