Editorial (Spotlight Weekly)

The latest spate of killings in Bhiman of Sindhuli and Sandhikharka of Gulmi have, once again, proved the impotence of Deuba government to control the Maoist insurgency. We had, on numerous occasions, before advised immediate dialogues with the Maoists to stop the tragic deaths and destructions. But nobody seems to have paid any attention. We had even suggested to world powers to take note since terrorism knows no borders or distance. The Maoist terrorism in Nepal can pose serious threats to countries far away in Europe or America. And now, it has been reported that the Maoists have used the most modern arms in the recent killings in Sindhuli and Gulmi. Where did they get those arms? Who is helping them? At a time when the whole of America is buckling up to eradicate terrorism, which has become a potential threat, terrorism in Nepal is getting out of control. If Deuba cannot control the Maoists he has to go. He is not indispensable. This is where King Gyanendra has to exercise his authority. Disinclination or failure to do so might spell grave disaster for the country, and even for the monarchy. We have, again and again, exhorted the government to take up the issue with India. If India is not keen to help by controlling the open border and nabbing the Maoists who are taking shelter in India, Nepal cannot but approach other friendly countries for immediate action. The water is getting over the head. We have to act now. If we want to save our country, we cannot delay in taking appropriate action. We must pressurize King Gyanendra to come to the nationís rescue. He cannot afford to stay a silent spectator when the country is facing such grave dangers.

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The miracles achieved by the information technology have shrunk the world into a small place. Time and distance can no more deprive anyone of being au courant with the minutest developments around the globe. As such, even though thousands of miles away from home, this scribe cannot shake off the curiosity of knowing the up-to-date developments in the mother country. Despite the pressing engagements of travels and appointments, glancing over the Internet and talking over the phone to a couple of friends and relations at home have almost become a daily ritual. But the news from home does not, at all, seem comforting. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba left Kathmandu to go to Johannesburg but got stuck at Brussels. The clamping of the arms deal became more important for him than to attend the historic international meet. And the reasons for it seems to be quite obvious although no one wants to mouth it because Deuba has suddenly become ěan honorable manî at the moment. The country may go to the dogs but Deuba is being considered a ěsanctum sanctorum,î bigger than the state. Since nobody can fight oneís destiny, one becomes helpless before it. But a resolute man can make his own destiny. May be the country is breathlessly waiting for that kind of man to come forward and take charge. As long that does not happen, there is nothing we can do except to follow the dictum, ěYou can take the horse to the water but you canít make it drink. You can only patiently wait for it to get thirsty.î

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The sudden burst of activities of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority recently had generated some kind of hopes in the hearts of exploited Nepalese people that, after all, a Daniel had come to mete judgment to the corrupt. But, as the saying goes, ěJustice delayed is justice denied,î the bigger the delay in putting these evildoers behind the bars the greater the chances of their escaping the rod of punishment. Nepal is a country where sal trees (one of the hardest wood trees) take roots over night. So, if you donít hit the iron while it is hot, rather red hot, you will end up in a big fiasco. Can the people who man the CIAA rise up to the occasion and accomplish a feat, which can change the entire course of Nepalese politics as well as Nepalese administration? The actions started by the CIAA are, indeed, very commendable. But, since they are only the beginnings, there are long ways to go before we come to the finale. A successful finale demands a summary trial and life imprisonment for the enemies of the state if not capital punishment like in many countries. But interested people might argue democracy does not permit such peremptory actions. If the country is bigger than democracy no arguments of the corrupt politicians should influence the quick and just decisions that are in the overall interest of the nation and the people. If some of these corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen are sent to the places they deserve to be, then only can we hope for some kind of amelioration for our poor people; only then we will be able to surge forward in the path of alleviation of rampant poverty. Somebody in authority has to put his foot down and say, ěWe are going to rid our country of these pests that have sucked our poor mother dry.î People are getting apprehensive that the well-begun activities of the CIAA could turn into an eyewash. What further proofs does the CIAA need when it sees a pauper turn into a millionaire in no time? To sustain peopleís faith these criminals must be sent to jails and quick. There should be no two opinions on this.