Tackle key issues

Only clean politics can lead Nepal on the path of peace. We need to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and severely punish the corrupt officials. We must also

ensure a transparent government and elect efficient and trustworthy people to important posts. If the government hesitates to do any of these things, Nepalis will continue to

harbour suspicions of the leaders. At present, the image of political leaders leaves much to be desired because of their unsatisfactory performance during their 12-year rule. Even the reinstated parliament is sidelining important issues that need to be urgently addressed to cure the nation’s ills.

Maoist supremo Prachanda, a charismatic and nationalistic leader, has given a ray of hope to all Nepalis by his clear vision, his pledges and his focus on action, as witnessed in his speeches and statements.

Ramesh B Shrestha,

Lalitpur

Suspicious

The recent activities of the Nepali Army arouse suspicions. On the one hand, they have come out with a political opinion that goes against the comments of Maoist supremo Prachanda, while on the other they are also seeking new arms. The government needs to keep the Army

under its control, or else the country may face a big crisis.

Dilli Ram Kattel,

Dhangadhi

Refugees

The resettlement of Bhutanese refugees in other countries is akin to endorsing the action of the autocratic Bhutanese King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. It will also abet the Druk

government’s attempt to segregate more southern Bhutanese who are the relatives of the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. Abraham Abraham,the resident representative of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, hinted a day ahead of the World Refugee Day that 10,000-20,000 refugees may be resettled “elsewhere” every year. Does this suggest that only a handful of resourceful and educated refugees will be settled in third countries and the rest left to languish indefinitely? By Abraham’s account, it will take another 12 years to resettle all the refugees.

Given India’s political and military clout over Bhutan, Nepal’s southern neighbour should help resolve the crisis. But for this, the refugees’ representatives, in cooperation with Nepali politicians, must step up their efforts to convince the Indian leaders. We also need to bring the plight of the refugees to international attention.

The recent Jana Andolan has illustrated how a determined people can defeat an autocratic regime. This should inspire all Bhutanese refugees to stand up for their rights and get a glimmer of hope.

R N Bista, Jhapa

Bad roads

The roads inside Kathmandu are in a miserable condition. What must be the state of the roads in other cities when the government cannot maintain the roads in the capital city? The situation gets even worse during the rainy season when puddles dot nearly every road in Kathmandu. Official apathy is to blame. The authorities seem totally unconcerned about what the general people have to undergo while walking or riding on bumpy and pot-holed roads.

Saurav Suman, Sanepa