While both sides bear responsibility for the killings, human rights groups say it is clear that the government bears the greater burden. Everyone understands the government's position, but the fear is that it may incite civil war. The Maoists count their greatest support in the remote areas of western and midwestern Nepal, far from the name-brand mountain peaks like Everest and Annapurna that attract millions in tourist dollars each year. Two years ago, she and her group performed in Kathmandu to build public support for the Maoist rebels. After the performance, the guesthouse where the group was staying began to burn.
Witnesses say the fire was set by police.
When the troupe fled the burning building, witnesses say, they were gunned down by police. I want to kill those who killed my sister. Human rights workers say the level of anger among Nepali farmers is not unjustified. Some suspected Maoist sympathizers, targeted by police who had little evidence, have only hardened their support for the rebels. Comrade Pratap, once a very visible member of his college's young Maoist student wing, was arrested about five years ago, but he escaped.