Letters (Spotlight Weekly)

Time To Shoulder Responsibility

Your cover story ("Judiciary on Trial" SPOTLIGHT November 7) rightly pointed out the crisis faced by the country's apex court. In its last five decades long history, the court has seen many ups and downs from absolute independence to shrinking role. The court stands as a guardian of freedom of citizens. With the restoration of democracy in 1990, the judiciary is once again in a position to take some drastic steps to prevent the police authority like Commission of Investigation of Abuse of Authority from becoming authoritarian. If the court does not shoulder its responsibility, people will not forgive it.

Rajan Khatri
New Road

No Easy Way Out

I agree with you that there is no easy way out to overcome present political and constitutional crisis ("Judiciary on Trial" SPOTLIGHT November 7). Although the Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal 1990 bestowed certain rights upon the country's apex court, it seems to be in no position to safeguard the interest of people. I am very pessimistic about the way judiciary is functioning. In the last few years, the judiciary has done historical works by interpreting the constitution and defending the rights of citizens. When the country is without elected parliament, it is the court, which has to bear more responsibility by defending the rights of people.

Tashi Lama
Boudhha

Good Read

I was very happy to read the Spotlight Newsmagazine after the lapse of two weeks of holidays (November 7). I have read some glaring grammatical errors in your cover story. Since the Spotlight is a magazine of such high stature, it should avoid such avoidable and glaring mistakes. I hope Spotlight will not repeat it again. Avoidable grammatical error will tarnish the image of magazine.

Sony Basnet
Kirtipur

Insightful Interview

The interview of the Chinese ambassador Sun Heping was eye opener (SPOTLIGHT November 7). Pointing to Nepal's violent insurgency, Chinese ambassador clearly stated that the spill over effect of Nepal's insurgency will effect whole south Asia. At a time when Indian academia and strategic analysts are using the Maoist insurgency to secure concession from Nepal in security and other issues, Chinese ambassador cautioned that prolonging insurgency will not benefit any country of the region in the long run. As the Chinese ambassador hinted that the stability in the countries lying south of the Himalayas will depend upon the nature of relations between two Asian giants, one can only hope that their relations will improve. Since both the countries are making efforts to normalize their relations, one hopes that gradually the tensions will ease.

Dilliram Basnet
Kalimati

Just Opinion

We cannot ignore the Maoist involvement in the abuse of human rights. Their aggressive activities might be their strategy to compel the government to pay heed to their demands. But we cannot compare a legitimate force with a rebelling group fighting against the prevailing system and rules. At the moment, the government seems to have grown more aggressive. Bipin Adhikari has observed this situation justly (SPOTLIGHT November 7). I fully agree with him. Moreover, I would like to quote him “Most of the human rights abuses remained unchecked at present because the army has been made to go beyond the existing legal framework to deal with the Maoists, and the civil regime is not able to counter the increasing pace of militarization.” He has put it so truly and clearly that everyone has seen it and realized to some extent. But we cannot say the military mobilization against a rebelling party can be justified at least in this manner.

Dipesh Gurung
Thamel

Consider Rural Demand

The story of the achievement of Bangladesh in rural electrification is commendable. “Setting an Example” (SPOTLIGHT November 7) It is really a good example of the commitment to the development of a country. The economic impact on people’s life must be considered the best result brought by the rural electrification campaign. Nepal, being second richest country in water resources, can adopt the modus operandi adopted by Bangladesh. As an alternative solar energy has become popular in many villages of our country since some years back, it has helped supply a bit of energy demand which save time and forest resources in the areas. Villagers, in a group, have been attracted toward small plans. Many plants have already been established in many villages. People could benefit if the government would think of extending the electrification campaign towards the villages.

Hemanta KC
Manbhawan