ABSTRACT
On 11 January 2008, Nepal announced it would hold a general election in April. In a result that bamboozled political analysts, the Nepali political establishment and themselves, the Maoists scored a stunning win and now head the ruling coalition government. The Maoist’s participation and victory in the April elections has not only marked the party’s remarkable transformation from a guerrilla fighting force to a democratic player, it has also dramatically changed the shape of the Nepali political establishment. The Nepal Defence Army, led by ex-Maoist Parivartan, wants to restore Nepal as a Hindu kingdom and protect the country from the perceived threats of Christianity and Islam. Although 2008 witnessed some hugely symbolic moments for Nepal, which could provide the foundation for peace, lawlessness and low-intensity violence remained an acute problem. According to Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, a total of 312 people were abducted and 440 killed in security related incidents during 2008.
