India changed views on Nepal Maoist-US

Kathmandu, May 3 (UNI) The United States has said India had changed its views on the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) after Maoist Chairman Prachanda travelled to New Delhi in November last year.

The US was the only country to maintain its designation of the CPN-Maoist as a terrorist organisation at the end of 2006, according to the Country Reports on Terrorism released by the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, the US Department of State.

'''Imperialist' United States and 'expansionist' India were the targets of considerable Maoist venom, especially in the period leading up to the April uprising'', the report noted.

''A trip by Maoist supremo Prachanda to New Delhi on November 18, however, seemed to mark the culmination of a shift in the Maoist view of Nepal's large neighbour to the south," observed the report.

''Several countries, including India, were waiting for the Maoists to enter the Nepal government to authorize open contacts at all levels.'' Maoist rebels continued to conduct abductions, extortion, and violence, it said adding that in the Kathmandu Valley, the Maoists took advantage of their increased presence and the government's reluctance to upset the peace process to step up extortions and efforts to undermine trade unions and student groups affiliated with the political parties.

The two factions of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha are also declared as "terrorist groups" according to the report.

"This year saw the beginning of a disturbing new trend with the activation of the separatist Maoist-splinter terrorist group called the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha, which aimed to bring about the secession of the southern Terai plains from the rest of Nepal," said the report.

Maoists were declared terrorist organisation by Nepal government in 2001 after it escalated attacks on the security posts in Nepal.

The former rebel group joined the government after the peace deal signed with seven major political parties ending the rule of monarchy in the Himalayan nation.

UNI