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The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) or CPN(M) is a Maoist political party and military organisation founded on April 22, 1949 and led by 'Chairman Prachanda' (born Pushpa Kamal Dahal). It launched the Nepalese People's War on February 13, 1996, and now controls parts of the country. In 2001, the Nepalese Army began a military campaign against the Maoists, especially in the western areas of the country.