A Maoist’s Burden in Nepal
Ten summers ago in Nepal, the Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal emerged from hiding just as the decade-long insurgency he had directed was pushing the country’s monarchy to its knees. The rebel chief was picked up by a government helicopter, then whisked to the prime minister’s residence in Kathmandu to begin official peace talks.
By that time, after more than 20 years in hiding, he had become a legend, widely known by his nom de guerre, Prachanda, meaning “the fierce one.” Few knew what he looked like. India’s restive Communist circles came to extol and emulate his tactical prowess. He had started the civil war, which took more than 16,000 lives, with two rifles from among those dropped by the C.I.A.… Seguir leyendo »