RUKUM, Feb. 15 -- With the objective of creating a just and equal society, hundreds of youths from Rukum had participated in the decade-long armed conflict launched by the then Maoist rebels. Despite shedding their sweat and blood for their rights and opportunities, they lament that their efforts have turned futile.

Former combatants have expressed their dissatisfaction toward the party leaders for forgetting the agendas and dreams for which they once fought for. Tapta Bahadur Khatri of Banfikot Rural Municipality-6 contributed to the Maoist insurgency for four years. He says he never disobeyed the leaders as long as he was a Maoist combatant.

"From capturing the army barracks to arresting people of other religions, we did everything th...