Nepal's Maoist political party has effectively shut down the bustling capital city of Kathmandu with a bandh, a strike enforced by threats of violence. Since the bandh started on May 1, the city's bustling streets are empty; shops, businesses and schools are closed. The Maoists vow to continue enforcing the strike until they can take complete control of the government.
The bandh makes it impossible for Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries to work. Church services are also cancelled.
The only people in the streets are protestors who support the Maoist opposition.
Maoists Enjoyed Brief Popularity
This bandh is the latest in a series of disturbances created by the Maoists, a group that became the majority party in the first democratically elected parliament in Nepal. For a short time in 2008, Maoist officials who were elected by the people led the multi-party coalition that governed the country. They achieved this power after becoming the majority party of the 22 political parties with representatives elected to Parliament. Their majority control ended a few months after it started due to a disagreement over the firing of a high-level Army officer.
The Maoists are now calling for the resignation of the country's prime minister, saying he is not leading the government that the people called for.
An Unfinished Constitution
Another issue at the forefront of the political unrest is the country's unfinished constitution. Nepal was formerly a monarchy with a state religion. The first step toward democracy came with the elections in 2008. The newly elected officials were charged with writing a new constitution, one that would turn Nepal into a secular nation. The deadline to have the constitution complete is this month. Other elected officials are accusing the Maoists of stalling and blocking any attempt to create legislation.
Gospel for Asia leaders in Nepal are asking for prayer for their country. They ask for prayer for a peaceful end to the bandh. They also ask for prayer that the citizens of Nepal would have true freedom of religion and that the country would not turn back to its old system of having a national faith.
Read more: http://www.gospelforasia.org.au/news/2010/news_050510.php
Read more: http://www.gospelforasia.org.au/news/2010/news_050510.php