Be Responsible

THE country has been facing a serious problem due to the Maoist insurgency. The insurgents in the name of the "Peoples’ War" have turned many places in the country into virtual battlefields. Hundreds of policemen have been brutally killed while doing their duty and the government in turn has been forced to spend a huge amount of money for security reasons. As can be expected, this has severely affected the development works that could have taken place for the welfare of the people. It is a great misfortune that Nepal, once known for its natural beauty and tranquility, has now been dubbed as a "risky" destination by foreigners as well. This has negatively affected tourism, which can be called the backbone of the country’s economy. The situation has gotten worse day by day and now such a time has arrived that even the Royal Nepalese Army has to be mobilised against the insurgents. At the moment, crack troops of the Army and personnel of other security agencies have been stationed in key areas of Rolpa district, to secure the release of more than seventy policemen who had been abducted by the Maoist insurgents recently. According to a statement of the Ministry of Defense the other day, the security personnel are exercising patience and maximum restraint to avoid the loss of innocent lives as the Maoists are using even women and children as human shields.

The deployment of the Royal Nepalese Army in Rolpa has created quite a stir within and outside the country. However, in this context, it must be mentioned that some sectors of the media have not played a responsible role in reporting facts about what is happening in the remote district. They have relied more on speculations rather than basing their reports on facts. The Defense Ministry has done well by making regular statements and keeping the people well informed. Such a strategy has contributed in quelling rumours and disinformation. This is a testing time for the whole nation and it is the duty of all, including the media and also all political parties to cooperate to ensure the present crisis is resolved and normalcy is returned to Nepalese life. It can be hoped this will happen sooner than later through talks and also through tough government response to any acts of lawlessness either from the Maoists or others.

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