Further research activities on this portal have been suspended due to
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| Nepal Key Events, January 2001 - December 2001
|
| January |
2001 |
Prime Minister (PM) Koirala is asked by opposition parties to resign but he survives an open "no confidence" vote in Parliament. A government-sponsored research group announces that the only way to resolve the conflict with Maoists is through negotiation. There are increased clashes between Maoists and police. Click here for a political history of the Maoists in Nepal |
| February |
2001 |
Parliamentary Opposition parties demand PM Koirala's resignation citing his implication in a bribery scandal with Lauda Air and his inability to maintain law and order. They disrupt Parliament for over three weeks. Maoist violence declines. |
| March |
2001 |
Both government and Maoists unofficially consider peace talks. Kofi Annan visits Nepal and praises the army's involvement in peacekeeping missions abroad. Unified Marxist Leninists and the Maoists hold joint rallies denouncing Koirala. |
| April |
2001 |
Maoists begin a renewed assault on police targets. Koirala recommends that the army be deployed against Maoists in some areas. Maoists request peace talks with the government. Donor countries express worry over continuing political unrest in Nepal. Opposition groups protest Koirala in Kathmandu and attempt to prevent him from entering his office. Over 100 leaders are arrested. With the King's consent, PM Koirala deploys army to protect development projects from Maoist attacks in seven rural districts as part of a government-run Integrated Security and Development Package. |
| May |
2001 |
Opposition leaders say they will not support government talks with the Maoists as long as Koirala is Prime Minister. Maoists set up "local governments" in regional strongholds. Six political parties call for a three-day general strike. Police fire on demonstrators killing two people and injuring hundreds. Hundreds more are arrested. |
| June |
2001 |
A drunken Crown Prince Dipendra kills nine members of the Royal family including the King over a dispute about the Prince's choice of a bride. After Prince Dipendra dies, Prince Gyandendra is crowned king. Violent demonstrations erupt as Maoists and non-Maoists express confusion over the killings. A curfew is declared in Kathmandu and hundreds are arrested in violation. PM Koirala commissions an investigation into the killings. PM Koirala continues to be criticized by opposition parties. |
| July |
2001 |
Maoists increase their violent attacks on police and army facilities. For the first time, the army comes into direct combat with the Maoists. PM Koirala resigns in the face of a bribery scandal, saying that he has failed to end the conflict with Maoists. The newly appointed PM Deuba and Maoist leader Prachanda each call for peace talks. A cease-fire begins. |
| August |
2001 |
PM Deuba receives an all-party mandate for peace talks with the Maoists and they agree to meet. Talks begin and are called "positive and cordial" by both sides. Maoist demands include abolishing the constitutional monarchy, rewriting of the constitution, and establishing an interim government to facilitate the transition to a republic.
Click here to view 40 demands first submitted by the Maoists in 1998 |
| September |
2001 |
A second round of talks occur between September 13th and 15th. Both sides consider them inconclusive. Nepalese government expresses support for the United States in its war against terror, citing its own experiences with violence. The Indian Minister of External Affairs and Defense calls the Nepalese Maoists "terrorists" and pledges support for the government of Nepal. |
| October |
2001 |
Maoists release 26 police officers. Maoist leader Prachanda requests the continuation of talks. Former PM Koirala says PM Deuba should stop peace talks. PM Deuba responds that the government will continue talks but asserts that they will not give in to the Maoists. Government releases a small number of Maoists. Maoists announce that the talks have broken down and demand the release of more prisoners. The cease-fire is broken as Maoists renew attacks. |
| November |
2001 |
Government opposition leaders, including former PM Koirala, request that PM Deuba continue peace talks with the Maoists. Police begin to attack Maoist targets. Maoists say they will give up their demand for a republic. PM Deuba rejects the other Maoist demands, including the demand for a constituent assembly. A third round of talks are held but falter. The Unified Marxist Leninists demand the resignation of PM Deuba claiming that he has failed to resolve the Maoist conflict. Dissention in Maoist ranks becomes apparent as Maoist guerillas meet with an opposition party leader to express their unwillingness to give up the demand for a republic, despite the Maoist negotiator's offer. Maoists renew violence. The government declares a state of emergency and issues the Terrorist and Destructive Activities Control and Punishment Ordinance limiting many rights including freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and freedom from preventative detention. Under this new Ordinance, the government calls the Maoists "terrorists." |
| December |
2001 |
Maoists request a fresh round of talks. Government says there will be no talks unless the Maoists disarm and give up violence. Fighting continues to escalate. Maoists bomb the chief government negotiator's house damaging property but causing no injuries or deaths. |
