LETTERS (Spotlight Weekly)

Commendable Job

Despite the difficult circumstances, the two-man commission did a good job in bringing out a relatively thorough report on the palace killings ("Fuzzy Picture", SPOTLIGHT, June 22). It was for the first time in history of Nepal that commoners were allowed to probe an incident in the palace. It is of no use for people to continue speculating and circulating rumors about what happened on the night of June 1. What happened was most unfortunate, but what can we do now? The show must go on. Let us join hands in time of this great sorrow and work for the country.

Rishiram Parajuli
Chandol

Why Did He Do It?

The probe committee failed to establish the motive behind the palace killings ("Fuzzy Picture", SPOTLIGHT, June 22). There must have been some very solid reasons for Crown Prince Dipendra to turn his guns on his parents. The love for some woman does not sound too convincing a motive. The committee would have done a better job had it tried to unearth the real reasons behind the massacre. If it was unable to complete the investigation on time, it could have sought another extension.

Harsha Gurung
Sanepa

Wishes To New King

Now that the probe committee has presented its findings, King Gyanendra has the unenviable job of ruling a country that is surrounded by all kinds of problems ("Fuzzy Picture", SPOTLIGHT, June 22). In these trying times, all Nepalis should help the new monarch in his task. By expressing his firm commitment to constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy, the new king has already won many hearts. He now has to consolidate his strength and help his country take off for a better tomorrow.

Sanjib Basnet
Balkhu

Questions Remain

Even after the presentation of the report by the probe committee, there are still many questions that will continue to haunt Nepalese minds for years to come ("Fuzzy Picture", SPOTLIGHT, June 22). The sudden and unexpected killings at the royal palace have left a vacuum in the country. People are still in a state of shock. Questions like what, how, why continue to hover around. This is the biggest tragedy this country has had to face since modern Nepal was established by King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great more than 200 years ago.

Sudan Amatya
Koteshwore

Ill Humor

The behavior exhibited by House Speaker Tara Nath Rana Bhat and some reporters during the press conference organized to present the probe committee report was highly objectionable ("Fuzzy Picture", SPOTLIGHT, June 22). It was strange to see reporters laughing and cracking jokes even as the speaker was reading the report. The occasion was most solemn. There was no room for humor there. The perverse laughter from reporters was overshadowed by the sense of humor of the speaker. The way he pointed the gun, which wiped out almost our entire royal family, toward the reporters and the way the reporters laughed at that gesture were all in very bad taste. No sane Nepali would have liked to see such a scene at such serious program.

Deepak Shrestha
Pulchowk

Tourism In Tatters

A series of unfortunate incidents in the country have gradually pushed tourism to the brink of total collapse ("Downward Spiral", SPOTLIGHT, June 22). Being a mainstay of Nepalese economy, any negative effect on tourism is bound to have a corresponding effect on overall national life. As the country is passing through its most difficult period, everybody, including the political parties and civil society, must sit together to frame plans to develop this sector.

Samita KC
Chabahil

Stop Politics

Politics must be put on suspended animation at least for one year to allow the country to recover from the current tragedy ("Downward Spiral", SPOTLIGHT, June 22). People representing all political ideologies must join hands to clear the present environment of uncertainty and let the vital organs of the country function without hindrance. This kind of suspension would help the economy. Tourism will also benefit. The most pressing problem we face today is that of poverty. To overcome this, we must develop our economy and put petty politics on hold.

Ujaya Rana
Kumaripati