This report documents the emergence of armed civilian groups or village defence forces in several districts of Nepal. Compelling evidence is presented showing that such groups enjoy considerable support from the government of Nepal, and are responsible for a growing number of human rights abuses as well as being targets for attack by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). The emergence of this vigilantism is aggravating existing fault lines in Nepali society and contributing to an increasing number of civilians being displaced by the conflict.
