Marxism–Leninism–Maoism–Prachanda Path Marxism–Leninism–Maoism–Prachanda Path Marxism–Leninism–Maoism–Prachanda Path ( , sometimes shortened to Prachanda Path) refers to the ideological line of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), also known as the UCPN(M). It is considered a development of Marxism–Leninism–Maoism (MLM) and named after the leader of the UCPN(M), Pushpa Kamal Dahal, commonly known as Prachanda. Prachanda Path was proclaimed in 2001. The ideology was partially inspired by the example of the Communist Party of Peru (Shining Path), which refers to its ideological line as "Marxism–Leninism–Maoism–Gonzalo Thought". Prachanda Path does not claim to make an ideological break with Marxism, Leninism or Maoism, but rather
Shining Path engaged in many human rights violations, which caused the Shining Path to appear in the eyes of many as the lesser of two evils. They used excessive force and killed many innocent civilians. Government forces destroyed villages and killed "campesinos" suspected of supporting the Shining Path. They eventually lessened the pace at which the armed forces committed atrocities such as massacres. Additionally, the state began the widespread use of intelligence agencies in its fight against the Shining Path. However, atrocities were committed by the National Intelligence Service and the Army Intelligence Service, notably the La Cantuta massacre and the Barrios