EDITORIAL

Nepal used to be known as one of the most peaceful countries of the world. Even foreigners used to feel secure while travelling in any part of this mountainous Kingdom, where the people, in spite of their poverty, were always cheerful and smiling. It was no different in Kathmandu. The locals and outsiders could walk at any time of the day and night in any area with absolutely no fear. But with a growing population and the invasion of influence from the outside world, the situation has started to change. These days, it has almost become routine to hear this once peaceful Kathmandu being rocked by one sensational crime or the other. Last week, about half a dozen miscreants attacked a couple who did gold business from their own house and got away with millions worth of gold and cash. According to reports, the middle aged men, all of whom were masked, first threatened the wife and then beat up the husband and robbed them. It was also reported that an eye witness saw them running away on motorcycles. All the people here were shocked to hear of this daring robbery in daylight. If residents were not safe in their own houses, it definitely was a matter of concern. It was also an open challenge for the government and its security agencies, specially the police. Quick action had to be initiated if the confidence of the people in the ability of the government to provide them security was to remain intact.

At this juncture, it was good that the police have been able to nab some of the culprits in a swift and efficient manner. This has not been the case in some other such incidents, when criminals were able to escape after committing ghastly crimes. The people’s faith had been shaken with such shortcomings and security lapses. The government now can show its mettle in good governance and win the confidence of the people and also their support by properly guiding the police in solving this embarrassing crime. Both the government and the police have to realise that without the support of the people, not much can be done in fighting crime or weeding out the criminal elements from the society. Solving one case, specially a much talked about one, will contribute in lifting the image of the police, but it is the day to day behaviour of the men in uniform which will prove more important to win over the people. The government can contribute by encouraging professionalism and discouraging corrupt practices. The police are in constant touch with the people in many areas. So how they deal with the general citizens during such inter-action is very important for the image that they portray in the minds of the people. Let us hope the police will be able to quickly solve the recent daylight robbery case by apprehending all the culprits. This will provide a big boost to the confidence of the people in the ability of the authorities in dealing with criminal elements. The success of the security personnel at present, could go a long way in preventing similar crimes in the future.

(Editorial in Sunday Despatch, Sunday, July 25)