The five day Nepal Bandh called by the Maoists has given rise to a very serious question -- who is running the country? Prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his colleagues might not have to fear for their  lives and go to their respective offices and other engagements under heavy guard. But what about other thousands of employees and many others who have to come from outlying suburbs? As reports go, the establishment is enforcing strict disciplinary measures against those employees who absent themselves from their work on Bandh days. How are they supposed to come from a distance of ten kilometers? Fly like a bird? What about others? How are they to go about their business? Or is every activity in the country going to be totally paralyzed for five days running? If this rot is not arrested soon where is the country going to end up? As regards the Maoists, what do they expect to gain by such activities? Instead of targeting at the country's economy and stability, they should focus their attention to root out corruption. That would earn them sympathy and respect instead of fear and hatred they are reaping now. Whether they are their own masters or not, they must not fail to realize that the path they are heading on leads to a cul de sac with a Bhasmasur effect. They also cannot afford to overlook the simple truth that every Nepali that loses his or her life in this senseless struggle is one of their close kith and kin. As such, they must stop their violence and start negotiation for a meaningful dialogue. Their aversion to sit at the same table with the stinking politicians is quite understandable. They must not lose sight of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Nepalese are poor, honest and love their motherland. And they too want to get rid of these quisling politicians. Since the objectives of the Maoists and the poor Nepalese seem to coincide, neither side should have any hesitation to come together to resolve the stalemate. The sooner they do it, the better for the country.

The visit to India by the Nepali Congress supremo Girija Prasad Koirala in the immediate aftermath of Prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's visit has caused immense interest and conjectures in various political circles in the capital. Although Koirala took his almost entire family presumably to celebrate the 75th B'day of family friend Chandra Shekhar, he did not miss the opportunity to sound the Indian Prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and also to cajole the Nepalese Maoist leaders who have taken refuge in Noida, the outskirts of Indian capital New Delhi. As reports go, his meeting with Vajpayee failed to cut any ice. Koirala, who can change colors like a chameleon, has also gone soft on the Maoists and since his return from New Delhi has become less aggressive against Prime minister Deuba. Even if these developments do not signify his visit to be a big success, it does confirm our apprehensions that the Maoist leaders are basking under the safe protection of Indian sun. It has, indeed, put us under great confusion. When the U.S. President George W. Bush says ìsupporters of terrorists are our enemiesî and Secretary of State Colin Powell equates Nepalese Maoists with the Al-Qaeda and the Shining Path, how can the Indian establishment ignore its own commitment of fighting terrorism and grant safe haven to the Nepalese Maoist leaders? Moreover, how does it reflect on the friendly bilateral relations? With the resources under their command, we do trust the U.S. government will not take long to establish the truth and take appropriate action to honor its protestation.

In the follow up of the U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's assurances to help Nepal fight terrorism, a high level team of U.S. officials has made detail study of the situation generated by the insurgency of the Maoists in Nepal. In this connection a team of diplomats of HMG/N had recently visited the United States and the United Kingdom and briefed those governments about the situation. And another team, at the moment, is visiting China and Russia. The interest shown by Nepal's friends to combat the terrorist scourge is very commendable indeed. Even Nepal's Congress chief Girija Prasad seems much concerned at the situation and took up the matter with his Indian friends during his recent trip to India. Since Koirala faces he feels he is a good defense expert, he did  not fail to discuss Nepalese army's handicaps with his Indian  friends, and it is reported, he requested them to send their army to quell the insurgency in Nepal. What gave Koirala this impression about the Nepalese army -- the finest fighting force in the world is, indeed, beyond our intelligence. But, the Indians being fully cognizant of our sensitivity, the report says, did not grant to his request. Moreover, the unpleasant experience the Indian army have had in some countries of the region must still be fresh in their mind. Since Koirala is no person to take such a decision, no body has given any attention to the issue. But that Koirala has, once again, exposed himself is there for everybody to see.