It works both ways

This is in reference to the news report “Talks with Tarai outfits begin” (THT, Nov 18). It is appreciative of the government that it finally has initiated talks with the armed groups. The recent activities of many of these outfits have not only encouraged criminal activities in the Tarai but also aggravated the law and order situation. The government should make the

environment conducive to the talks and take their demands seriously. On the other hand, the rebel outfits should not make negotiation difficult by making unreasonable demands.

Bibek Sharma, Mandikatar, Kathmandu

Old hat

Apropos of the edit page article “Nepal’s financial policy” (THT, Nov 17), I agree with the author that Nepal continues to follow the structure inherited from the royal regime. The

conditionality imposed by the International Monetary Fund does not suggest any new policy towards liberating the country from dependence on foreign donors. I believe that the

declaration of the country as a “Tax-free Republic” would trigger an economic revolution and liberate Nepalis from economic dependency, subjugation and humiliation. The government should prepare a blueprint for tapping fully the internal resources of the country.

V P Sayami, Kathmandu

Mend ways

The Maoist-led government has time and again promised to return the land and properties seized during the insurgency to their rightful owners. However, it has not been able to keep its promises. Its youth wing, YCL, still leaves room for improvement. It needs to mend its ways further to ensure that the CPN-Maoist does not lose public confidence in the days to come.

Dwaipayan Regmi, Biratnagar

Disrespect

It is despicable that the attacks on the media, which characterised the royal regime, continue even in the republican order (“Himal Khabarpatrika copies torched”, (THT, Nov. 18). The attack on the press is a sheer example of disrespect for the spirit of democracy. The

government must track down the culprits and bring them to book.

Rekha Karki, via e-mail

Murky

This refers to the news report “DFO staffer caught taking bribe” (THT, Nov 18). Despite several commitments, the government does not seem to have taken effective measures to control corruption. On the contrary, corruption seems to be on the rise. Similarly, the activities of NGOs hardly have come under the scanner. This has encouraged corruption everywhere.

Ramesh Shrestha, Lalitpur

Nonsense

Home Minister Bamdev Gautam’s recent decision to remove the statues of former kings is ridiculous “Royal statues to go”, (THT, Nov 16). The removal of statues hardly makes any sense. Just because Nepal has undergone the transformation from constitutional monarchy to federal democratic republic does not mean that we should remove all the monuments associated with the monarchy’s past.

Jotsna Rai, via e-mail