Even though the government has branded them terrorists, Maoist leaders walk around openly in the parts of midwestern Nepal they consider their base areas. This was evident during ceremonies held on 19 January to announce their Bheri-Karnali Autonomous Region in Jungthapachaur in Jajarkot.

Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara attended that meeting as well as the one on 9 January in Thawang in Rolpa announcing a 'Magarat Self-government Region' which includes Dang, Lumbini, Kapilbastu, Tanahu and Syangja. Maoist supremo Prachanda himself was supposed to attend this meeting, but didn't. Central Committee member and head of the western command, Postbahadur Bogati (Comrade Diwakar) was the chief guest at the Thawang meeting. Others, including the head of the Maoist 'peoples army' western division, Nanda Kishore Pun (Pasang),and politburo members Rabindra Shrestha and Pampha Bhusal were also present, dressed in camouflage fatigues.

The Maoists stated that they held sway over the region and could attack military bases there at any time. "Please be assured, we have ordered our forces to shoot down any government helicopter that comes this way," Pasang told the assembled crowd. The Maoists also announced that the declaration of the autonomous region was part of the effort to capture central power and to have a unified republic.

Santosh Buda from Rolpa was nominated chairman of the Magarat Autonomous Region, and declared that government aircraft were banned from its airspace. The Maoist 'Radio Peoples Republic' organised a press conference where Mahara told visiting journalists that the Maoists were getting ready for a decisive victory against the fractious 'old regime'. Mahara said: "America is trying its best to get into Nepal. Our neighbours China and India don't like this."

After the speeches, there were cultural programs all night. Watching were villagers who had been brought specially for the event, some from as far as seven days walk away.