Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - NEPAL: Tensions rise as crowds gather for May Day mass protest

30th April 2010

All this week, thousands of Maoist supporters have been converging on Kathmandu from all around the country to join a May Day mass protest.

The focus is on the inability of the government to complete the writing of Nepal’s new Constitution and fully implement the peace agreement signed in 2006. Kathmandu will see the biggest of 10 such gatherings across the nation.

People have come on foot; in trucks; and inside and on the roofs of buses. The Maoist leadership is encouraging and planning beyond the May Day rally. They have called for an indefinite strike beginning on Sunday, 2nd May until the government resigns and makes way for a Maoist-led government of national unity. A right they feel they have, being by far the biggest party elected in 2008.

By today, Friday 30th April, it is expected 500,000 ‘new faces’ will be in the city. They have ‘taken over’ schools and other public buildings and land to house their supporters, and are actively seeking ‘donations’ from business, INGO’s and wealthy families to sustain what may be a long campaign..

“There are many strange faces in the city” is the regular comment of colleagues and friends. They move around in large groups, carrying flags, turning the streets into a sea of red.

Some people have been stocking up, with bags of rice and other essentials fast disappearing off the shelves. Since the Nepali diet is exclusively rice with lentils and vegetables, prices have been rising all week as importers with an eye for making a ‘quick rupee’ make the most of the opportunity.

Politically there now seems little chance of heading off tomorrow’s demonstration, nor (probably) the beginning of the strike on Sunday.

The Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar, is due to return from Bhutan later this afternoon (Friday, 30th), where he has been attending the annual Asian summit, and is expected to address the nation early this evening.

If Madhav Kumar resigns, it could help to take the heat out of the situation, provide some breathing space, and give opportunity for a more broadly based administration.

The popularity among other political parties and in neighbouring India of the Maoists' leader, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (commonly known as Prachanda), has plummeted in recent months, so the Maoists have offered their No 2, Dr Baburam Bhattarai, as replacement Prime Minister.

In this situation of brinkmanship it’s impossible to say who will blink first. All the combustible materials are in place, including the much feared armed police and large sections of the Nepal army. It’s generally accepted that in the 10-year war these two groups were responsible for more than double the number of deaths attributed to the Maoists.

If the Maoists apply too much pressure, their people will go over the top, while some elements of the state forces seem to be itching to have a go at the protesters, a group they still have unfinished business with.

In the light of the seriousness of the developing situation, the imposition of widespread curfews is a strong possibility, which will make life even more difficult for everyone and raise tensions still further.

Please pray for

• The country of Nepal that it will be kept from imploding over the coming days.
  
  
• Prime Minister Kumar in the difficult decisions he will have to make; and for Nepal’s politicians that they will exercise leadership.
  
  
• The Nepali churches meeting tomorrow (Saturday, 1st May) that people will find hope and strength in God.
  
  
• The safety of UMN staff, including PCI personnel, at this time of upheaval and uncertainty.

Related Link: Call to 40 days of prayer for nation at a critical crossroads
BBC News: Maoists converge on Nepalese capital
Nepalnews.com: Post-May 1 situation could endanger peace process: UNMIN
AlJazeera (U-Tube video): Nepal Maoists prepare for May Day rally (3.09 mins)

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