Since the end of Nepal's civil war 3 years ago, the state has remained paralyzed by political in-fighting, allowing criminal groups to thrive. One human rights organisation estimates that over 2,100 people have been kidnapped for ransom and many believe the surge in crime is due to political parties protecting criminals," The line is blurred between crime and politics." In Kathmandu, criminal gangs focus on kidnapping the middle classes who lack political connections. Their favoured targets are businessmen and shop-owners of Indian origin, commonly known as Marwaris. Lacking trust in their government, people have turned to displays of collective violence to get results. Earlier this year, they directed their fury at kidnappers. Within 1 month, 15 people were brutally lynched by angry mobs in Terai but all of those attacked were innocent. "The Terai, has become worse than ever...it has become very, very violent."