The landmines placed by both the state and the Maoists during decade-long conflict are still a matter of grave concern. The landmines littered around various parts of Western Nepal have already claimed the lives of 12 people and injured 128. And this after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) between the then government and the Maoist rebels over a year ago. The casualties prior to the accord were even higher. One of the

major stipulations in the CPA was that the information on landmines would be shared within

three days of the agreement and the landmines themselves removed in the next 60 days. But not much has been done.

There has been a suggestion (and with some justification) from some quarters that the government take the help of United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) to remove the hidden mines as the country lacks experts to discover and defuse the mines. It is saddening that people continue to die from the explosives that were placed to claim casualties on the other side. Both the government and the Maoists must follow the stipulations of the CPA in removing the mines. It goes without saying that safeguarding people’s lives should the biggest concern of the government and all political parties. Politicians should realise that many of the people-centered issues that cropped up in the wake of success of Jana Andolan II are yet to be tackled.