Tensions between govt and Maoists increased as Maoists called 3-day general strike across Nepal from 20 Dec, paralysing business, infrastructure in largest protests since leaving govt in May; UN OHCHR said police used “excessive force” in Kathmandu clashes with Maoist protestors. Maoist leader Prachanda 22 Dec threatened indefinite resumption of strike if new unity govt not formed before 24 Jan; PM Madhav Nepal rejected demands, but said open to including Maoists in his cabinet. Maoists declared 13 districts as “autonomous states”; govt rejected as unconstitutional. Earlier, Maoists called 6 Dec general strike after at least 3 killed in 4 Dec clashes between police and illegal forest squatters in Kailali District. UN 16 Dec said some 4,000 disqualified Maoist combatants held in UN cantonments, including 3,000 child soldiers, to be released from 7 Jan.

Maoists launched largest anti-govt street protests since May resignation from govt, blocking infrastructure, access to ministries during 1st half of month; occasional violent clashes with police. Maoists still demand apology for President Yadav blocking ex-army chief General Katwal’s dismissal May; leader Prachanda 8 Nov said Maoists may declare ”parallel govt” if demands for “civilian supremacy” over army not met. Prachanda called off protests 13 Nov and allowed passage of budget, but as talks with govt faltered 21 Nov called for monthlong resumption, including 3-day Dec general strike. U.S., EU 20 Nov expressed “concern” over protests, slow progress on peace process.

Tens of thousands of Maoist supporters held antigovt protests throughout month, including at least 15,000 in Kathmandu 11 Sept; sporadic violence in clashes with police. 3 killed in 6 Sept blast; police 7 Sept arrested 3 members of Hindu militant NDA, including alleged leader. Govt early month declared VP Jha as “inactive” in position, took away his state privileges after he refused to retake oath of office in Nepali; Supreme Court Aug ruled earlier oath in Hindi invalid.

Govt 9 Aug appointed Gen. Gurung as acting Army Chief after Gen. Katwal formally retired; Maoists previously disrupted parliament 7 Aug, threatened street protests over govt failure to resolve row over Katwal’s position. PM Madhav Nepal in first visit to India late month, 22 Aug announced new bilateral trade agreements. Police 24 Aug arrested 19 armed ex-Maoist soldiers outside of cantonments in Kapilvastu district; UN expressed “serious concern” over soldiers leaving cantonments with weapons. Supreme Court 24 Aug ruled VP Jha faces sack “within a week” if he does not retake oath of office in Nepali, ruled his earlier oath in Hindi invalid; Jha 30 Aug refused to attend new swearing in ceremony.

UN-led discharge process of 4,000 disqualified Maoist combatants from Maoist cantonment sites started 17 July, discussions ongoing. Constituent Assembly (CA) proceedings resumed 6 July after Maoist agreement with Nepali Congress, CPN-UML; had been suspended since dispute over President’s role in May army sacking. Maoists 27 July agreed to join “high-level political mechanism” to support CA, peace process. UNHCR 7 July raised concerns with Defence Ministry about promotion of Nepal Army officer following “serious and credible” allegations of human rights violations during conflict. 4 Tarai armed groups leaders killed 18-22 July, 3 reportedly by police. UNMIN mandate extended to Jan 2010, OHCHR to June 2010 on 23 July.

Tarai-based Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) party split in 2 factions following 4 June appointment of MJF’s BK Gachchhadar as Deputy PM in govt. Anti-Gachchhadar MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav 5 June withdrew his opposing faction’s support to govt. 13 June coalition partners CPNUML, NC and MJF (Gachchhadar faction) agreed Cabinet portfolio deal. Cabinet 18 June reversed earlier Maoist-led govt decision to sack army chief Katawal; Maoists disrupted Constitutional Assembly proceeding in protest.

Political crisis escalated with resignation of Maoist PM Prachanda 4 May, after President Yadav overturned 3 May cabinet decision to sack Army Chief Gen. Katwal, ordered him to stay. Maoists 4 May launched street protests against president’s move, resigned from govt; Prachanda 6 May said Maoists still committed to peace process. Maoists 5 May decided to obstruct parliament until president apologised to House. MJF party 17 May joined new 22-party NC-UML-led coalition; UML veteran Madhav Nepal elected new PM 23 May. 5 May controversy after Jan 2008 Prachanda video footage leaked, shown admitting plan of inflating Maoist army size during UN-led verification; NC party 10 May called for reverification of Maoist combatants. 3 killed, 14 injured in 23 May bomb blast in church near capital; little-known Hindu extremist group suspected.

Conflict between govt and Nepal Army (NA) escalated: NA Chief Gen. Katwal 21 Apr denied defying govt authority, escaped immediate sacking due to coalition disagreements, international pressure; but Maoist govt still determined to remove Katwal. NA strongly denied 26 Apr rumours of planned coup. NA 7 Apr pulled out of most events at National Games, protesting late decision to include Maoist Army. Parliament paralysed for 2 weeks until 15 Apr as opposition accused Maoists of failure to honour past agreements, arrest Maoist-linked criminals. Maoists won 3 out of 6 seats in 10 Apr by-elections. Shutdown across the Tarai by Tharu activists since 22 April.

Little progress on army integration: in response to national army recruitment, Maoist army 2 March called for applicants to fill thousands of vacant positions in its own ranks. Supreme Court ordered both armies to halt new recruitment, Maoists stopped 10 March. Defence Minister Thapa 16 March ordered 8 army generals to retire, but Supreme Court 25 March halted order. During 19 March visit to Nepal, UNHCHR Navi Pillay called for justice for war victims, end to impunity. Tharu ethnic group strike from 2 March paralysed Tarai region; called off 14 March after govt agreed to replace term ‘Madhesh’ with ‘Tarai-Madhesh’ in interim constitution.