Struggle first, family later, says Nepali Maoist

By Staff
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KATHMANDU, June 30 (Reuters) Dipak Devkota, a Maoist student activist, spent four years in jail, and says he endured police beatings and torture during Nepal's crackdown on rebels fighting for a communist state.

Devkota is among hundreds of Maoists freed by the new multi-party government which came to power in April after mass and often violent protests forced King Gyanendra to give up absolute power.

He was freed 16 days ago in Kathmandu as part of peace moves following a ceasefire between the new government and the guerrillas.

But the Maoist student activist has not returned to see his family who live some 100 km east of the Himalayan nation's hill-fringed capital.

''When I talk to my parents, they keeping asking me to come home.

I really want to see them after so long but the struggle comes first,'' the 25-year-old son of a peasant farmer told Reuters.

Devkota, a science graduate, said his anger was not really aimed at the policemen who tortured him.

''I hate the system more even more than I hate the policemen,'' he said, speaking from the office of the recently reopened All Nepal National Independent Student Union (Revolutionary) in Kathmandu.

Human rights groups accused soldiers and rebels alike of large-scale human rights abuses including disappearances, kidnappings, torture and the killing of civilians during the 10-year revolt. More than 13,000 people died in that time.

Nepal's security forces routinely deny accusations of mistreating those in detention, but the United Nations in May accused the army of torturing detainees -- including sexual humiliation -- and of ''disappearing'' prisoners.

''I got first-hand experience of the old regime in jail. That's why I want change so much,'' Devkota said.

''FIGHT PEACEFULLY'' Another rebel, Yuvaraj Chaulagain, 27, was a commissar in the Maoist army and fought against regular Nepali troops.

Today, he has replaced combat fatigues for smart trousers and an office shirt and is the treasurer of the Maoist student wing.

''Now, I can fight peacefully for our cause, not with the gun,'' said 27-year-old Chaulagain, whose younger brother, Vishnu, was killed by the army 18 months ago.

The Maoist student union was banned in late 2001 with other rebel-backed groups when the government declared an emergency after failed peace talks with the main guerrilla group.

Devkota is trying to re-establish the union in colleges now that the ban has been lifted.

Chaulagain says he is more relaxed after the truce and peace talks between the Maoists and the government which will see the rebels join an interim administration.

''The cloud of death has lifted over my head -- for now.'' REUTERS SHB KP1449

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