"The word democracy doesn’t exist in the Maoist lexicon"- Nepali Times

From The Nepali Press
"The word democracy doesn’t exist in the Maoist lexicon"
Kantipur, 17 February

FROM ISSUE #184 (20 FEB 2004 - 26 FEB 2004) | TABLE OF CONTENTS

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The killing of Nepal Maoist Victims' Association Chairman Ganesh Chiluwal is the latest example of the rebel group's fascist streak and its political bankruptcy. Such demonic and brutal revenge against someone who believes in peaceful opposition to their excesses puts a question-mark over the Maoists' political belief and character, and throws doubt over their public commitment. Ganesh Chiluwal opposed Maoist violence and struggled for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of Maoist violence. The effigies of Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai were set alight. If that was the reason why he was murdered, then that is a dangerous warning from the Maoists to civil society. Those involved in the politics of violence must be called tyrants. The Chiluwal episode is a challenge for the Maoist leadership that has been trying to convince the world of its tolerance and democratic credentials. The Maoists have exposed their double standards and shown they are unreliable and opportunistic. By killing those who don't agree with them, the Maoists are pushing the country down a spiral of violence.

Rajdhani, 17 February

By killing Ganesh Chiluwal, the Maoists have gagged Maoist victims. The murder goes completely contrary to what they professed. It has proved that the Maoists' public commitment of not killing political figures was just a ploy. This is a double standard.

Chiluwal's murder forces us to doubt the Maoists' commitment to multiparty democracy. The message is quite clear: the word democracy doesn't exist in the Maoist lexicon.

Samacharpatra, 17 February

After one more murder by the Maoist rebels, people have begun to ask: Is this what is the 'people's war' is all about? Nepalis are about curious what kind of political system the rebels want to establish by killing citizens who have committed no crime. Chiluwal's murder has proved that no one is safe in this country. It has also given us a preview of the kind of government they will set up, and the kind of freedom we the people will have if the rebels capture state power.