Prachanda Criticizes Silence Over ‘17,000 Killings’ Allegation, Calls for Intellectual Support

Kathmandu: Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has expressed dissatisfaction over the silence of his party members and intellectuals regarding allegations branding him the “killer of 17,000 people” during the Maoist insurgency.

Speaking at a book launch event in Kathmandu on Saturday, Prachanda said that while certain individuals are attempting to distort history by labeling him a mass murderer, even his own party has not actively countered these accusations.

“Some people want to drag history backward by calling me a murderer of 17,000. But those were acts of war, carried out under the rules of armed conflict. Both the state and the rebels committed acts during that time. One can study and compare both sides,” Prachanda said. “I haven’t even hit a single person in my life, let alone killed anyone.”

He emphasized that while he led the insurgency, he also took responsibility for the peace process. “I have accepted full responsibility after joining the peace process, but despite so many false allegations, there has been no rebuttal from intellectuals or the party,” he added.

Prachanda also highlighted that it was the Maoist Centre that took the biggest risks when it came to arms management and army integration.

“Even knowing the risks, it was the Maoist Centre that said weapons must be managed immediately to prevent future killings,” he remarked. “It’s not a complaint — my question is: why don’t we speak up?”

He further claimed that a section of Nepali society is unwilling to acknowledge the contributions of the Maoist Centre, and instead, there’s a growing attempt to twist the narrative against them.

“There’s a deliberate attempt to portray us negatively. I urge all intellectuals present here to seriously reflect and deliberate on this issue,” Prachanda appealed.