Unity A Must

TERRORIST activities are affecting all walks of life. With the current spate of attacks against development infrastructures by Maoist terrorists, the whole nation is being pushed further backwards. The tourism industry, considered the backbone of the national economy has suffered tremendously, social life has been affected, the people are being terrorised and pillars of development like telephone towers, bridges and power houses are being destroyed. There is no doubt, the country is going through a harrowing time. However, credit must go to the government for making all out efforts to curb the destructive activities of the terrorists and provide security to the people. Special mention must go to the brave soldiers of the Royal Nepalese Army and the Police Force, who are fighting a tough battle in some of the most difficult terrain in remote and even urban areas of the country. But even in this difficult situation, it is flabbergasting to hear talk of efforts to destabilise the government. At a time when all political forces, leave alone the members of the ruling party, should be united in fighting terrorism, any plans to change the government would be a huge setback for the entire nation.

Like mentioned by Home Minister Khum bahadur Khadka at an interaction programme in Kathmandu the other day, there is no "rationale" now in trying to change the Sher bahadur Deuba led government.

What is needed at the moment, is the cooperation of all the political forces that believe in democracy and also the active participation of the civic society in foiling the destructive activities of the terrorist groups. The general people are tired of the antics of the terrorists, however, fear from terrorist threats, paralyse them. Therefore the political parties and leaders of the civic society must lead from the front to mobilise the people against the terrorists. It is encouraging that the security personnel are gaining each day in their fight against the terrorists forces and this can be seen in the desperate steps the terrorists are taking these days. But for the security forces to be totally successful, the people must come on their side. It can be hoped in the coming days, all the nepalese people will stand together and completely isolate and then eliminate any trace of terrorism and terrorist activities in the country.

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