A report that cadres of Akhil Tarai Mukti Morcha, an underground outfit, led by Jayakrishna Goit, has fatally shot a police official at Jhauraha Chok of Nargho VDC of Saptari district on Monday evening is an indication that security personnel are not safe in the Tarai-Madhes. I would like to opine that the government must identify those outlawed outfits who have resorted to armed violence in the name of safeguarding the rights of the Madhesi people. A line must be drawn clearly between the peaceful agitation and armed action. Those who resort to arms and violence must be dealt with as per the law as the new constitution has guaranteed to permit all the people to raise their voices in a peaceful manner. On the other hand, the security personnel must be given more legal teeth to deal with the armed outfits that pose threats to society and national interest. The security personnel who themselves are not safe and secure cannot protect life and property of the ordinary people and maintain law and order.

Karuna Ratna Yami, Kathmandu

PM’s visit Apropos of the news story “PM Oli likely to visit India before China” (THT, Jan. 3, Page 2). We all have heard news about the telephonic conversation between PM Oli and PM Modi. Both the prime ministers were keen to share their views on the current situation in Nepal. If we go through in our relationship with India things have always not remained cordial because of wrong perception from the southern neighbour. We need to sort out the problems seen in the bilateral relations through diplomatic channels. India should stop interfering in our internal matters and Nepal should also address India’s genuine security concerns which Nepal has always done. PM Oli should not embark on a visit to India unless the latter lifts the unofficial blockade imposed on Nepal after the promulgation of the new constitution.

Saroj Wagle, Kathmandu

Experts’ team The ongoing Tarai agitation which has also made its impact be felt in Kathmandu doesn’t look like it will end in a matter of a day or two as the agitating parties have not accepted the constitutional amendment proposal tabled in Parliament. Although the present government of Nepal needs to bring all the Madhesi parties into mainstream politics, the probability for this to happen looks almost impossible unless the major parties agree to revise the boundaries issues. The major parties have proposed revising the boundary issue within three months, but the agitating parties want it to be resolved right now. The boundary issue cannot be resolved all of a sudden as it is a very sensitive issue and if any parts of the proposed Pradeshes are altered people of other parts of the country may resort to agitation and things will become further complicated.

Pratik Shrestha, Kathmandu