Nepal's Civil War that Reshaped the Nation

Photograph - The Guardian

Nearly two decades have passed since the guns fell silent in Nepal, ending a brutal civil war that forever altered the Himalayan nation’s political and social landscape. 

From 1996 to 2006, Nepal was gripped by a violent conflict between government forces and Maoist insurgents, a struggle that claimed thousands of lives and culminated in the abolition of the world’s last Hindu monarchy.

The Roots of Rebellion

The seeds of the conflict were sown in the early 1990s, as the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) grew increasingly dissatisfied with the slow pace of democratic reforms and persistent social inequalities. 

On February 13, 1996, the Maoists launched their “People’s War,” attacking police posts and government offices in six districts, demanding the end of the monarchy and the creation of a people’s republic.

Escalation and Tragedy

Initially, the government relied on police to contain the uprising, but as Maoist attacks intensified-targeting rural police stations, infrastructure, and officials-the Royal Nepal Army was drawn into the fight. 

The conflict escalated dramatically after the 2001 royal massacre, which saw King Birendra and much of the royal family killed under mysterious circumstances, thrusting King Gyanendra onto the throne. 

Amid the chaos, the government declared a state of emergency and launched major military operations, while the Maoists expanded their control over large swathes of rural Nepal.

A Nation Divided

Throughout the war, the Maoists established parallel administrations in the countryside, while the government maintained control in urban centers. 

Both sides committed serious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and intimidation. 

The war displaced an estimated 150,000 people and left deep psychological scars on communities across the country.

The Road to Peace

By 2005, the conflict had reached a stalemate. King Gyanendra’s decision to seize absolute power backfired, triggering mass protests and a broad alliance between mainstream political parties and the Maoists. 

In April 2006, a popular uprising forced the king to restore parliament, paving the way for peace talks.

On November 21, 2006, the government and Maoist leaders signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord, formally ending the war. The agreement included commitments to integrate Maoist fighters into the national army, draft a new constitution, and hold elections for a constituent assembly.

Legacy and Lessons

The decade-long conflict left more than 17,000 dead and thousands more wounded or missing. 

The monarchy was abolished in 2008, and Nepal became a federal democratic republic. While the peace process has brought relative stability, the country continues to grapple with transitional justice, political divisions, and the long-term effects of war.

As Nepal reflects on its recent history, the civil war serves as a stark reminder of the costs of exclusion and the enduring quest for justice and equality in one of the world’s youngest republics.