The September 1, 2004, tragedy was a shocking experience for the Nepalis and it seems that its impact on the Nepali psyche is here to stay for long. The “Dark Wednesday” rioting, which started after the killing of 12 Nepali youth by an Iraqi terrorist outfit in their country a day before, was one of the worst riots Kathmandu had ever witnessed. The highly agitated crowds destroyed property worth Rs 1.01 billion and two people lost their lives in the riot. After an entire year since this horrifying incident, some sociologists have now claimed that the city is still “ill-prepared” to prevent such incidents from happening. They have pointed out that people’s sense of insecurity and lack of faith in the establishment sparked the riot thereby confirming that social security is contingent upon restoration of trust on the state mechanism, which can be achieved only by appropriately addressing the causes of people’s frustration.

The report of the probe panel pinned the blame on the state’s security apparatus that failed to bring the situation under control in time while hundreds of manpower agencies and some private houses were being vandalised by the rioters. The security forces in turn blamed the higher authorities for “inaction.” The commission had also recommended relief assistance to the victims in the form of indirect compensation, but the recommendations were never implemented. It is unfortunate that such a crucial document was not accorded the required importance by the authorities concerned and that the whole exercise proved to be an exercise in futility. Investigative reports are vital to address social issues and it should be implemented in order to reduce the risk factors attached to people’s violent behaviours.

There are many conspiracy theories behind the event and everybody knows that several vested groups exploited the situation to their benefit. But no matter what the reasons behind the shameful incident, the government should draw a lesson from the September 1 mistake and make sure that it is never repeated. For this, the “higher authorities” should demonstrate seriousness by designing and implementing right kind of measures to maintain the traditional social harmony. Nepal can least afford any form of sectarian violence and imbalance if it were to preserve its unity in diversity.