No smile Sunday alone there were reports of two incidents in the capital city involving armed groups, one of these staging a hostage drama in a house and another in a shootout of a couple who were on their way home from a jewelry shop. Fortunately, in both these incidents there were no casualties. In the former, one the police arrived in the nick of time and foiled the hostage bid, and in the latter one no was injured. However, another shootout last Wednesday in the capital took the life of an innocent eight-year old in Gothatar. In all these criminal activities, the goons carried small arms making them dangerous. Despite reports occasionally about small arms being confiscated, the ease with which those with criminal intent are able to procure them is a matter of immense concern. What more the capital is now a hub for small arms dealers. In fact, the dealing in small arms in a clandestine manner appears to be a thriving business and has been going on for some time now. Although such dealings are busted from time to time the authorities have not been able to contain these illegal activities. According to the police, those procuring small arms from the dealers are also reported to be political leaders and cadres of the political parties and their affiliated organizations. Although the police have succeeded in busting a number of arms racket, there are still many people on the loose with small arms with the intent of carrying out heists and assaults among other things on the common people and private and public property. The police say that it is often difficult nabbing the guilty because they have political connections or enjoy the patronage of some in the high echelon of power. As a result, they enjoy virtual impunity and continue to carry out their nefarious activities without let up causing the law and order situation in the entire country to be in a dismal state. This is indeed a sad thing for the nation which at one time used to be one of the most peaceful countries in the world. It is reported that small arms can be purchased for a couple of thousands of rupees so it is possible for those with ulterior motives to get hold of them with relative ease and terrorize the ordinary people. Another thing that is encouraging the criminal elements to use the arms is the state of impunity enjoyed by many of them. Some of them have not been arrested because of this and continue to walk free or they have been released from custody much to the frustration of the law enforcers who have often gone to great lengths in order to arrest them. Also responsible for the rise of crime with the use of small arms is the political instability which makes it relatively easy for the criminals to carry on with their attacks and threats without fear of retribution. As such, there should be no exceptions and those who are not entitled to hold small arms should not be allowed to do so. Those holding small arms illegally should be apprehended and the arms should be seized. Finally, those carrying out armed attacks and also possessing such arms illegally should face the harshest punishment according to the law to serve as a deterrent.

Forced to follow There have been lots of protests involving padlocking offices and buildings. And, besides those that get the political party workers into the game, the students too have been noticed in a variety of protest programmes. The teachers too have made their mark in the protest chart. It all involves a number of demands to be met. How the demands are met or assurances floated by the authorities concerned is a matter that needs to be studied in detail. For one thing, a protest that disturbs the fabric of the society cannot be condoned. But, that’s how everything is moving in the country at present. Even without brickbats, the protests have been tense with fisticuffs laying the role. Causes there are for protests howsoever bombastic the expectations may be. To learn of the Myagdi students of padlocking their secondary school must come as a bolt from the sky. The reason: the absence of their science teacher for the past three months. The method may not be novel as compared to those adopted by political parties and their fraternal organisations, professional groups, employees, etc. However, one could surmise that the students are learning the tricks of the trade albeit gradually.