Maoist guerrillas at a training camp in Nepal. A file picture

Kakarvitta (Eastern Nepal), Dec. 8: Development is the new weapon the Maoists are wielding to mobilise public support even as a cash-strapped Nepal government struggles to fund various projects.

The rebels, however, are doing it differently than the government. The construction done so far has not cost them a penny.

The logic behind the success is sheer hard work. Every family takes part in the development work that is at the moment focussing largely on building motorable pathways in remote pockets of eastern Nepal, where the Maoists are trying to strengthen their grip.

?They cycle through our villages mostly under the cover of darkness and paste posters urging people to participate in their programmes. Usually, the programmes are held on Saturdays, since it is a holiday in our country,? said Rajiv Niropali (name changed), a resident of Giri village near Itabhatta in Jhapa district.

Whether it is fear of the gun that spurs the people to participate in the programmes or unquestioningly give up land for building of roads ? which they had earlier denied to the government ? is still not known.

What is known is that participation is mandatory for each family and that residents of Giri have managed to complete work along a 2-km stretch.

A narrow footpath has now been converted into a 24-foot broad road with space even left to build a 2-foot drain.

Apart from Giri, development work can also be seen in progress at Jitpur, Bhajo, Chulachuli, Topagachi and Gouradha, according to local residents.

The initiatives taken by the rebels could, however, become a source of worry for the Nepalese authorities as these villagers are located near urban settlements, and more importantly, they are not under Maoist control.

?These rebels are basically trying to feel the pulse of the people and also send a message to the governm- ent that they have mass support,? a local resident said.

Nepalese authorities neither deny nor accept this theory. Rajen Bhatwal, accounts officer, Mechi Nagarpalika, said: ?There are roads being constructed here and there. We are told that the local residents are doing the work but we cannot comment for sure whether it is the Maoists or the people doing the work.?