Tougher Actions

PRIME Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the state of emergency was imposed with the objective of ending violence and terrorism in the country and providing security to the people. In the first ever interaction with the media persons after the declaration of a state of emergency the other day in Kathmandu, Prime Minister Deuba said that the government was firm to initiate action against all those who perpetrate and support terrorism and terrorist activities in the country. As the current move of the government has been clearly directed against terrorists, the state of emergency has not affected the normal life of people in the country. In fact, the state of emergency has created a sense of security among the people. As a result, people from various walks of life have supported and appreciated the state of emergency and actions of security personnel. It is known to all that the state of emergency was declared only when the government’s efforts for peaceful resolution of the problem failed because of betrayal from the Maoists themselves. Instead of engaging in peaceful solution of the problem, the terrorists suddenly and unilaterally withdrew from the peace process and started violent and terrorist activities by attacking police, army personnel, civil servants, political workers and the general people. Thus, the government was left with no alternative other than to declare the state of emergency and mobilize the army in order to maintain law and order and restore peace in the country. Now nationwide emergency has been declared and brave security personnel are fighting for the cause of the nation and the people. Our security personnel have always sacrificed their life for the nation and the people. It is because of this that our soldiers have earned worldwide appreciation and recognition. It is, now, the duty of all people to cooperate with the government and boost the morale of the security personnel who are fighting against terrorists.

Terrorism is a crime against humanity and the entire world has now launched a war against it. The elimination of terrorism is a must for peace, development, stability and consolidation of democracy in the country. Thus, there is no middle way at this crucial juncture. We have to support the government in the war against terrorism. Terrorism has never been successful in the world and it would not succeed in Nepal too. As said by Prime Minister Deuba, the fight against terrorism and terrorists would end soon as brave security personnel have made unprecedented achievements in destroying terrorist hideouts and camps.

Together We Stand

THE tenth International Disabled Day was marked the other day amidst programmes that reflected solidarity among the disabled who have equal rights as citizens of the country. It is a matter of fact that the status of the disabled in the country has improved substantially in the last few years in comparison to what it was in the past. This has in part been the outcome of the realisation among the people that the disabled are as equal as anyone else in the country. Despite the efforts made in the past several years, the lot of the almost 2.4 million disabled in the country still calls for more improvement. The number of the disabled itself suggests that the magnitude of the problem is by no means small and 80 institutions working for them is inadequate. For this the efforts of the government alone is not enough, the collaboration and cooperation of all from every walk of life is essential to raise the status of the disabled in the real life.

In a message on the occasion of the Day, Prime Minister Deuba hoped that in the days to come further programmes would be launched for the protection of the rights of the disabled and fostering their welfare. This is a significant commitment on his part, yet Prime Minister Deuba has called on all including the families of the disabled, the community concerned and the civil society as a whole to play a significant role in creating a place for the disabled. It is not practical for just a few institutions whether NGOs or INGOs in meeting the needs. The efforts on the part of everyone can only come when there is greater awareness that we all are equal whether disabled or not. Now the medical science has been developed by leaps and bounds, and as such much assistance can be made available to the disabled besides making the rehabilitation programmes result oriented. In this regard, showing pity for the disabled must be totally discouraged but focus needs to be directed towards making themselves feel that they have the potential to meet the challenges of life—short as well as long term. The disabled, hence, must be brought into the mainstream of development so that they could stand on their own feet thereby enhancing their own dignity. This act is what everyone owes the disabled in the march for the country’s prosperity.