Pokhara mayor assassinated

The mayor of Pokhara, a scenic tourist city in western Nepal, was brutally assassinated by Maoist rebels. Late mayor Harka Bahadur Gurung was gunned down reportedly by three assassins Friday July 2nd, 2004. This latest assassination comes amid reports that Prime Minister Deuba’s government has repeatedly hinted its willingness to sit down and settle scores with the rebels. The late mayor Gurung had repeatedly decided to refuse rebel demand that he resign from his office. Analysts believe the latest rebel stunt will give additional leverage to the rebels so that they can now easily coerce other would be deifiers to yield to rebel pressure. The Maoists do not want to be labeled terrorists by the government. However, they carry out killings, torture and abuse repeatedly so it is surprising they abhor the word terrorists.
Some time back, the Maoist rebels also crippled several Dalit (scheduled caste) for defying rebel diktat. These unfortunate fellows had their lower legs crushed by the rebels. Now, the rebels wish to portray themselves as “liberators” of dalits and Janajatis (ethnic groups). Instead, they brutally exploit these backward groups to participate in warfare and terror.
The real solution to the Maoist problem is nowhere in sight. This is exactly where the international community comes into play. Nepal’s neighbours have hopeless record of doing nothing against the Maoists. India has so far made only token efforts to round up rebels in its territory. China, the ideological heartland of the rebels, have remained quiet citing non-interference in internal affairs of Nepal. Can’t it denounce the Maoists the same way it wants Nepal to keep tight control of anti-China Tibetan activists? The best international intervention into Nepa can come in the form of UN’s auspices. However, UN representative to Nepal, Mathhew Kahane rules out UN intervention? Does he wish more Nepalese children to become child soldiers? Or does he expects the unruly mob of Nepalese politicians to hammer out a solution to this endemic crisis which is bleeding Nepal white? The UN Secretary General should be convinced to recommend to the Security Council to authorize a sizable peacekeeping mission in Nepal. In addition and to complement this force, there should be special UN representative to give momentum to the political process to find a lasting solution to this problem.