17,000 people reportedly died during decade-long conflict, is the number accurate?

The re-filing of writ petition case by some conflict victims in the Supreme Court against PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal, aka Prachanda, the Maoist Supremo, has triggered a new debate on transitional justice and its consequences. There are now demands for PM’s resignation or sacking and outright imprisonment. The writ petition has brought otherwise highly fragmented and divided Maoists to come together to counter the judicial move and demand fast track resolution of transitional justice.

Transitional justice system that was expected to have completed its task by six months as mentioned in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement has dragged on for sixteen years and two commissions established for this mission has been defunct sans members. With transitional justice in limbo and a high degree of political instability, there is an imminent danger of Nepal returning to armed conflict.