Article by Janak

Few days ago, I suddenly took decision to go my district for making my passport after not getting the passport from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Katmandu. I hate visiting government offices but there are no other options. After a hard try, 15 days visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I did not have the passport. However, peoples from few so-called Maoist affected districts, declared by government, can get their passport from the Katmandu valley. Certainly, if I have good pulling string (connections), I would have got my passport from the KatmanduValley; need not to be worried about visiting my district.

At that day; Feb-21, 2006, I returned to my office from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, talked to my boss for the leave and it was granted. I started my tiresome journey from the Gangabu Bus-Park at 3:00 PM. What a coincidence! Growing conflict situation in Nepal between Maoist Rebellions and state; and my seat partner was a human right activist. I came to know, after introducing with him, that he was 50-55 years old while I am only 25. On the way, we had lots of talk about the contemporary situation of Nepal and human right violation. My bus was heading ahead through roads and bridges battered by rebellion ambush-blasts. Most of Army, Armed-Police and normal police (Janpad) check post were tightly fenced. All the travelers had to get down from the bus for checking, except for patient, olds and babies. After long hour drive, my bus touched my district; Kailali, crossing the Karnali bridge, the longest bridge of Asia standing in a single pillar. It was around 1:00 PM that our bus reached my VDC. My seat partner told me that he had already visited the VDC during his meeting with Far-Western Maoist Commander, Lekh Raj Bhatt. The Maoist leader had explained to him about their guerrilla barracks and other powers. This is the village, where I will be back after finishing my passport work. It will take about two more hours from here to reach capital of Kailali district - Dhangadhi.

Finally, I reached the Dhangadhi at 3:00 PM and took the Rickshaw, directly went to the District Administration Office and within an hour and half I got my passport. It was a happy moment for me. After that, I took Rickshaw back to my village. There I met all my relatives and neighbors. A neighbor's uncle told me that not a single day passes by without sound of explosives and they had to learn to ignore it if they want to sleep well at night. It was the district headquarters and had all kinds of security forces they were no good. It was 7:00 PM and uncle suggested me not to go out. I noticed a curious but frightened expression over his face. Obeying the words of the experienced ones, I took my dinner and went to bed. I woke up at 8:00 AM, took heavy breakfast and went to market. There I met friends. At 12 noon, I got on a local bus to my farm home.

After few checking and 2 hours drive, in a local station of my village I got down from my bus. I was little bit scared but was smiling like its okay, looked here and there, went towards the gas station. The owner was from my village. He explained me that there is no need to be scared with the Maoists, as they do not harm you until and unless you obey them. "They even never ask goods/gasoline on free of cost from us", he said. Then I took a deep breath and started heading towards my farm home. It was too hot and I was regularly turning back, hoping for Cycles, Motor Cycles or Tractors, on the way to my destination. On the way, I met many new faces. I greeted them. In response, few unknown faces eagerly looked at me. I guessed that they were the Maoists. My hope ended. I did get neither Cycles nor Motorcycles nor Tractors. Finally, I reached my farm home. I saw dad. He was surprised. I had left the city in hurry so there was no time to inform him. Mom was not home at that time, she had gone in search of grass for cattle. A woman working at our home immediately took off to inform Mom that I had come. After few talks between Dad and me, Mom came I briefed them about my surprise visit. I asked Dad if the situation was too dangerous. He told me that it was okay. "Sometimes they request us to join in there mass meetings and we participate to listen to their speech and ideology", he said. After few talks, I set up my mind that there is no need to get worried about. I took bath, changed cloths and had a cup of Tea.

My home is on the CHAUBATO. At some distance, there is Peepal Chautaro, an old tree. Olds and young all gather there for sharing their daily activities and views. There are few grocery shops and a teashop nearby. Sometime it serves homemade liquor as well, if Maoists allow. I went towards the shops, said hello to those I knew. There few unknown faces as well. Few old men were chatting about politics and some were sleepy. Children were playing stone. We have graveled road there. After that, I went to nearby Thulobuba's and Sanobuba's (Uncle's) home. My young cousin told me that Maobadi (Maoists) live in their house sometimes and he asks them for money. I was very surprised and I asked him “Then how much did they give you?” My cousin told me some time one rupee, some time two and he buys chocolate from the money. I also have a younger brother (Sanobuba's son), who had connected a long string with FM radio and straighten it to roof of house. He explained to me that he had done that to listen to Maoist FM Station. I can understand why they had given more emphasis to Maoist FM than to the state owned radio stations. Later, I listened to Maoist FM news in Thulobuba’s house with elder brother. He had also straightened the string for Maoist FM. He told me that he believes more in Maoist FM then in stated owned SW/MW radios broadcast. In my farm home, there is coverage of few local FM, Maoist FM, and State owned SW/MW radio stations and TV.

Then I went back to the Teashop. There were new adult faces smoking. Few were drunk and crying aloud with slang language. I was talking with my friends there that those guys stared their bikes and left. One of my friends informed me that they were Maoists and had gone to their post for bed. Maoists had established their post in a nearby house. Suddenly I heard my Mom calling me and I went back home. Dad was trying to tune his radio. "Which Station are you trying to tune?", I asked. He was quite, radio tuned well; it was Maoist FM station he was trying to tune.

Reality beyond the valley posted by Pradeep Chand @ 11:44 PM

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