Former soldiers of the Maoist Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), many of whom are now now organized as the Young Communist League (YCL), a mass fighting organization, stepped out politically against schemes to disperse and degrade them. On August 8, they held a disciplined and militant manifestation in the streets of Nepal's capital Kathmandu -- putting themselves and their demands squarely into the crisis gripping Nepal. Will the PLA be dispersed and disarmed? Or will they prepare for a new wave of revolution? In many ways, the futures of their country and the surrounding South Asian region hang on those questions.