Unruly Politics
The cover story “Peace By Piece” (SPOTLIGHT January 26) demonstrated the unruly nature of politics in Nepal . No sooner had the Maoists laid down their weapons, fresh turmoil has started in Terai. It is unclear how the Terai problem can be addressed. The eight parties will need to carefully consider all the options before making any decision, which is likely to have long-term implications on the nationhood of Nepal .
Bimal Singh
New Baneshwore
Peace: A Chimera
Peace and stability seem to be a far away dream for average Nepalese (“Peace By Piece” SPOTLIGHT January 26). The country has been hurtling from one conflict to another. The people are slowly getting frustrated even with the new dispensation after the April movement. A year ago, people had come down to the streets to force the autocratic regime to give up its hold on power. And now, there are enough dissensions regarding each and every agenda of national politics. The beleaguered political lot seems incapable of resolving the numerous problems and challenges. They didn’t help themselves by writing an interim constitution that effectively barred every one other than the eight parties. As politicians have promised many things to many people, they now seem unable to deliver all of them. This has led to creeping depression.
Ramesh Thapa
Samakhusi
Following The Gun
Through their decade-long armed conflict, which has catapulted them into the mainstream national politics now, the Maoists have taught many lessons for many people (“Peace By Piece” SPOTLIGHT January 26). For those who are charmed by the use of gun and violence, their arguably successful armed revolt could send wrong signals. In fact, splinters of Maoists like Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) have already started engaging in violence in southern plains. It has also been taught by past movements that anything, which is violent and riotous, could pay. Therefore, it is not surprising that protesters in Terai are using violence as a means to grab attention and power.
Kiran Sapkota
Baluwatar
What Will Maoists Do?
No sooner had they joined the mainstream politics by sending their representatives to the interim parliament, the Maoists now are staring at a big problem (“Peace By Piece” SPOTLIGHT January 26). Although not entirely created by them, the current problem in Terai have both direct and indirect connection with the Maoist policy and promises. The bullet fired by a Maoist activist might have triggered the Lahan violence, but the promises made by Maoist leaders in the past have no lesser role to play in the current unrest. They made lofty promises like ethnic and regional autonomy and self-determination. But when they wrote interim constitution, they deleted all those promises. And now the people are clamoring for what they have been promised by them in the past. And the entire country is being held hostage due to their unrealistic promises that have triggered the current unrest. It is now up to the Maoist leadership to clean up the whole mess that they have created.
Jyoti Mahat
Bishalnagar
Peace At What Cost?
Though Nepal has earned peace from the decade long Maoist conflict, it seems to have lost stability and social harmony in the bargain (“Peace By Piece” SPOTLIGHT January 26). The ongoing Terai unrest is only a tip of the iceberg. There are already some forces who are demanding a separate and independent Terai state. And there are numerous ethnic and indigenous organizations who are demanding right to self determination. Kirat Workers Party has been organizing crippling strikes in eastern hilly region for the past many days. And the whole country is heading towards Constituent Assembly elections, which promises to be utterly divisive as various contradictory agenda are certain to be raised. It is so unclear what sort of new Nepal will emerge after the CA.
Bibek Joshi
Lagankhel
Losing Game
The story “Who Has Gained?” (SPOTLIGHT, January 26) has pointed to the reality that none of the forces in the country seem to have gained anything as Nepal lands in a virtual morass of instability and anarchy. There is no feeling of victory or pleasure in the faces of politicians or the common people even though, together they have done what was thought to be impossible by reining in the Maoists and bringing them to mainstream. In the rush towards new mantra of Loktantra, the country is likely to face serious setbacks as it is currently facing in Terai.
Devi Ram KC
Sifal
