Caught finally

The chief of the armed outfit Nepal Defence Army (NDA) was held Saturday in Jhapa along with the chief of another group known as Ranabir Sena. The head of the NDA is accused of serious charges including the flouting of religious harmony. The group is infamous for carrying out several bomb blasts in the country, including the one at Assumption Church in Dhobighat on May 23, 2009 where four were killed and 15 injured. This barbaric act had invited the wrath from various quarters drawing widespread condemnation as well as concern. It was also involved in shooting dead John Prakash, Principal of Don Bosco School on June 30, 2008. Besides, it was also behind the blast at a mosque in Hattimuda of Morang district on October 4, 2008. The intention of the NDA was very clear: it was out to disrupt the harmony so happily subsisting between the people of different religious faiths in the country. Along with the NDA chief, R.P. Mainali, Pulin Biswas, Morang commander of the NDA, was also nabbed. The two stand accused of the serious charges of attempt to murder, illegal possession of arms and ammunitions and issuing threat letters. The Ranabir Sena on the other hand is thought to be behind several blasts in the capital and also Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari.

Of late, underground armed outfits are mushrooming in the country posing a challenge to those

in charge of providing

security to the people. The recent arrest of

these kingpins should be seen as a major breakthrough made by the

security agencies. These outfits were responsible for many terrorist activities. However, there is no room for complacency for armed criminals are still on the run in many parts of the country. The criminals often enjoy impunity which makes

them even more dangerous for it is difficult for

the security agencies to bring them in the net. There should, hence, be special squads equipped and trained to deal with such dangerous elements.

What is even more disconcerting is that many such criminals have been allowed to go scot-free because of the patronage they enjoy from those in the higher echelons of the political parties.

Now, however, with the arrest of the chief of

the NDA it is hoped that further attacks on innocent people will be averted. The strongest possible actions must be taken against the perpetrators of such heinous crimes. This should serve as a deterrent, and at the same time seeing to it that the criminals get

the punishment they deserve for flouting the laws of the land. Meanwhile, the police needs to be lauded for succeeding in arresting some of those who

have been listed in the "most wanted" list. Let

us hope that they succeed in also nabbing other

so-called big time criminals posing a threat to the

society. The law should have special provisions

which do not allow the criminals to escape as in the case of Mainali who was released on parole after being arrested 18 months ago. This can be considered as a security lapse for the authorities knew very well the consequences and risks they were taking by releasing him. The arrest of the trio by the security forces can be taken as an indication that they mean business this time around.

Haystack needle

Come Dashai and Tihar, and the bus terminals

are jam packed with clients out to get a ticket to ride home. However, despite all the extra buses that will be put into service by the transport entrepreneurs for the easy buck that flows in at this time of the year. Looking at the crowd coming every day to purchase a ticket of their choice, it seems like half of Kathmandu has converged for the daily fair. But, it also highlights the plight of those who what to be home with their near and dear ones during a festival that holds so much significance.

The other picture that emerges is that many people will not get the ticket for the day they want to travel on. This is rather sad. The roads that lead out of the Kathmandu valley are few, while the pressure of the outbound during this time is just too much to bear. It calls for the construction of and operation of more roads that connect Kathmandu with other parts of the country, both in the hills and the terai. All that the people are suffering now is the result of the myopic vision of the previous governments, and, mind you, instant solutions cannot be had like over-the-counter item. And, the story continues every year.