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Nepalese people's expectations to see normalcy and peace following a decade long atrocities and destructions by Maoist insurgency has turned into a fiasco. If the incidents of past few months are any indication, Nepal 's southern plain (called terai or Madhes) adjoining with India seems to be heading towards violent and anarchic phase. From east to west, all of the southern plain –which remained peaceful for most of the time in the past – is now boiling as various brands of armed groups are in killing spree. In the far west and mid-west, Maoists are creating anarchy whereas anti-Maoist groups organized on the basis of race and region are creating anarchy in eastern and central parts of Nepal. All are preaching and practicing violence, extortion, kidnapping and crimes of these natures. This new upsurge of violence initially started in the name of protection of rights of Madhesis and against settlers of hilly origin in Terai. Now both the communities are suffering from these violence and terror. Thanks to destruction and devastation unleashed by the Maoists in the previous twelve years and now attacks from various brands of terrorists and criminals, there are virtually no police security posts in Nepali side along the 1600 kilometer long border with India . Despite strong presence of paramilitary forces in Indian side of the border, criminals and terrorist activities continue unabated in Nepal . These criminals and terrorists are threatening from across the border in India . It seems that Nepal-India border is without guard. All kinds of elements including criminals and terrorists are entering into Nepal from southern border. The time has now come for the leadership of both the countries to make the border safe.
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It seems that Melamchi Drinking Water Project is now almost dead following the decision of Minister for Works and Physical Planning not to sign agreement with UK 's Severn Trent Water International (STWIN) - which was scheduled to be signed as a Kathmandu Valley 's water utility manager on May 1. This is one of the conditions Asian Development Bank (ADB) had put for investing in Melamchi Project. The decision of minister Hisila Yami also questioned the credibility of cabinet and prime minister of Nepal as the earlier decision to award contract to STWIN was taken by the previous government led by prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala. In a cabinet system of government, it is prime minister who is the final authority in decision making. If a minister can reverse the cabinet decision, what is the role of prime minister and where is his authority? For Minister Yami, the decision might be a moment of jubilation and a political move but the cancellation of Melamchi is going to be a major blow to three million population of valley who have been facing acute shortage of drinking water. Looking at the larger implications of cancellation of the project to poor people, we hope wise leadership at Asian Development Bank would not take the decision harming the interest of Nepalese as Nepal has already spent about two decades in this project. We have decided to look on Melamchi project as a cover story this week.
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