EDITOR'S NOTE
The latest violent activities of the
Maoists in the towns of Mangalsen and Saanphehagar in the district of Achham in far west
Nepal in which more than a hundred security personnel and a few civil officials lost their
lives have made it imperative for all patriotic Nepalis to put their heads together and
reach a consensus to bring this horrid civil war to an expeditious end. If the current
reports are true, the tragedy could have been averted. The district officials, it has been
reported, had warned that such an attack was in the making but the rulers in Kathmandu
paid scant attention to the reports. There is a strong public opinion that the Sher
Bahadur Deuba government have forfeited their mandate to stay in power. Deuba had become
Prime Minister to negotiate peace with the Maoists. Instead he embroiled the country into
a vicious civil war. And now, as time passes, the magnitude of the Maoist attacks have
been expanding. The morale of the security forces sinking to an unimaginable depth and
that of the rebels sky rocketing and the Nepalese people utterly disillusioned with the
working of the government, how does Prime Minister Deuba think of commanding public
support to subdue the Maoists defies all imagination. Moreover, the rumor that the Maoists
have used rocket launchers in the recent attack on Mangalsen barracks has generated a very
grave suspicion of some foreign element being involved in the nefarious activity. How can
the government stay complacent when such rumors are going round the capital? Should not
they stifle such rumors and assure the people? Indeed King Gyandndra has sounded ample
warning in his Democracy Day message. But Nepalese politicians wielding power seem not to
understand simple language. If the country has to sustain the hard won democratic regime,
it is time for the King and the people to come together and work out a formula that can
still salvage the worsening situation. Procrastination is apt to land the whole country in
peril. It has been proved beyond a ray of doubt that Deuba government cannot restore
peace, law and order in the country. As a matter of fact, the government should have
resigned and made way for some one who is more capable and efficient. Since these
politicians who have not learnt. anything about morality, integrity or accountability and
cannot be expected to behave in a true democratic manner, it is for the King to rise to
the occasion and take steps that will not only save the country from utter chaos and
confusion but also contribute towards stabilizing politics and strengthening democracy.
The fifth round of talks at the official
level between Nepal and India for the renewal of Trade Treaty ended without any
significant progress. That the Nepalese side has been able to withstand Indian pressure,
once again, has come as a big surprise. It is, indeed, very gratifying to see that
Nepalese officials are proving to be strong negotiators. Rather than give in due unjust
coercion, the Nepalese officials must be prepared to go without Treaty. It will, at least,
provide an opportunity to the international community to see how a big and powerful
country does squeeze its weaker and smaller neighbor to come to its dominating terms.
Nepal must be prepared to face any hardship than to submit to domineering tactics. Since
both the teams are going to meet again soon, it can be expected that the Indians will
relent and make the job of their Nepalese counterparts easier to arrive at an
understanding.
| Chief-Editor & Publisher |
: Madhav Kumar Rimal |
| Editor |
: Sarita Rimal |
| Managing Editor |
: Keshab Poudel |
| Associate Editor |
: Bhagirath Yogi |
| Senior Reporter |
: Sanjaya Dhakal |
| Reporter |
: Akshay Sharma |
| Photographer |
: Nishchal Chapagain |
| Editorial Office |
: GPO Box 7256,Baluwatar,Kathmandu, Nepal. |
| Telephone |
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