Justice denied

The UK Ministry of Defence has doled out 2.5 million pounds to compensate for the casualties in Iraq.

Unfortunately, the Gurkhas, who served the British crown for over 200 years, still continue to be discriminated against when it comes to compensation. Their last hope for justice seems to have been dashed after losing the “Discrimination Case” against the MoD in London High Court. I wonder whether the Gurkhas will ever get justice either from the British government or through her justice system.

Yam Gurung, Watford, UK

Late

The Department of Curriculum Development has changed course material for Class 10. However, even though the academic session has already started, textbooks are still

unavailable in the market. Furthermore, students and teachers remain unaware of the changed syllabus. The Department should inform students and teachers about the new syllabus at the earliest.

Dev Raj Adhikary, Nepaltar

It’s the roads

This is in reference to the editorial “Once too often” (THT, April 16). The chariot of Janabaha-dya (White Machhindranath) toppled because of bad engineering of the road, not the chariot. The accident was a disaster waiting to happen for the last three years after the chariot procession was rerouted to the footpath next to the police station at Ratnapark. The footpath is a good 18 inches higher than the road. When the chariot climbs onto the footpath or comes down from it, the steep gradient would put the chariot (or any motor vehicle) in a precarious

position.

Palpasa Shrestha,

Kathmandu

Not cruel

This is in reference to the edit page article “When we abuse animals we debase ourselves” (THT, April 15). I agree with the author that treating animals cruelly is debasing ourselves.

However, I do not concur with the assertion that laboratory experimention on animals is a cruel practice. Most scientific experiments that involve animals are conducted only after ethical grounds for the tests are thoroughly analysed, and only under close monitoring. Second, methods deployed for lab slaughtering are humane. Among them are captive bolt pistol method, free bullet pistol method, carbon dioxide method and electric stunning. Legislation in almost all countries requires slaughterhouses to follow these methods except Jewish and Mohammedan rituals where the animals are rendered unconscious

before slaughter.

Dr Sital Kaji Shrestha, India

CA venue

Apropos of the news report “First CA meeting to convene at BICC” (THT, April 16), the selection of the venue is rather interesting. I would have thought that the Gallery Hall of Parliament in Singha Durbar would be enlarged to accommodate the 601 CA members.

But the legislature following the general election is likely to be much smaller as compared to the CA, hence the 601-seat hall would serve only to increase government expenses. That said, BICC cannot be a permanent venue for the CA as it was never meant to be used as a legislature but only as a conference venue.

Sailesh Acharya, Dhapasi, Kathmandu