Cowards fear the press. The Maoists showed their true colours by attacking a press van, killing the innocent driver and severely injuring a passenger. The attack on a vehicle belonging to The Himalayan Times and Annapuna Post in Tanahu last Thursday clearly marks the Maoists' agenda. Instead of offering constructive solutions to the ongoing crisis, the rebels trouble the people with blockades and bandas. They attacked the van because it flouted a strike declared in Gandaki. They knew fully well that only ambulances and press vehicles would be on the roads. Not even the security forces dared to go out.

The Maoists revealed their true face by scaling up violence at a time when all the political parties are working together. Obsessed with extreme leftist ideals, in just nine years the Maoist organisation successfully controls a large part of the country with their armed revolution. It is difficult to predict how much the Maoists will impact Nepal's politics once they lay down their arms. Their political ideals will be acceptable if they are democratic and respect the rights of the people. By attacking the press, we trust the Maoists' democratic credentials even less.