EDITOR'S NOTE
The reverses the security forces had to
suffer at Bhakunde besi, Mangalsen, Sanfebagar and Shitalpati in a matter of days have
exposed the total incompetence of the Deuba government. That the authorities in Kathmandu
paid no serious heed to the S.O.S of the district officials and let them perish at the
hands of the rebels is not only a serious dereliction of duty but an act of inhuman
indifference that could not be condoned in any way. It is reported that the Home Minister
and even the Prime minister had been forewarned but failed to take appropriate steps to
deter the rebels. On top of that the almost complete Bandh on two consecutive days under
the very noses of the Prime minister has clearly manifested the erosion of confidence of
the people in the ability of the government to protect their lives and property. Prime
minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has no moral justification to continue. We had already advised
the Prime minister in our earlier issues to make room for more efficient ruler to take
over. But the manner he manipulated to win over the entire opposition in the parliament
for the ratification of the emergency has amply indicated that whatever might happen to
the country he will not quit unless he is forced out.
* *
*
We have again and again exhorted the King
to intervene and save the nation from going to disaster. Nobody needs any proof that the
various politicians that ruled the country for the last twelve years are mainly
responsible for generating such a sorry situation. The civil war cannot be prolonged sine
die. The callous killings of Nepalis by Nepalis have to stop. Since the insensitive
politicians will not do it, nobody but the King can come to the rescue. As the Maoists are
getting all kinds of help from across the border in the south it might not be quite easy
for our security forces to subdue them soon. And it will only result in more loss of
Nepalese lives. Since Nepalese politicians cannot take the issue forcefully with the
Indians and make them stop the Maoists using their territory freely, it is only the King
who can do it. Because with such a long porous border, unless India sincerely cooperates
with Nepal, the Maoists activities cannot be checked. It is, indeed, very surprising that
on the one hand India has branded the Maoists as terrorists but on the other they are
giving them a free hand in their territory. This is a clear violation of the UN resolution
1373. The United States which is leaving no stone unturned to root out terrorism from the
face of the world must not fail to take note of this fact. Since she is feeling real
concern about the Maoists activities in Nepal, we do trust, she will urgently take
appropriate steps to help Nepal. Recent visits to Nepal by senior U.S. diplomats clearly
demonstrate her anxiety about the situation here. Speaking to this scribe, Ambassador A.
Peter Burleigh, who was in Nepal recently said that Nepalese authorities have to take this
cross border terrorism very strongly with their Indian friends. If the government fails to
rise to the occasion, the King cannot stay as a silent spectator.
| Chief-Editor & Publisher |
: Madhav Kumar Rimal |
| Editor |
: Sarita Rimal |
| Managing Editor |
: Keshab Poudel |
| Associate Editor |
: Bhagirath Yogi |
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: Akshay Sharma |
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