Where’s security?

It is quite regrettable that the media persons are being targeted in recent times with greater

intensity by people with vested interests. What can be easily visualized is the journalists and media operators doing the needful in exposing the elements who are bent on imposing their will on those who pursue the profession with an eye for exposing the wrongdoings in the society. The recent fatal shooting of Arun Kumar Singhaniya, the publisher of the “Janakpur Today”, in Janakpur has brought to light a disturbing trend that seems to have picked up like which was evident during the Maoist insurgency days. It is unfortunate that the profession of a journalist or for that matter anyone involved

with the media is under threat all because of trying to bring to light those who indulge in illegal activities. The present murder comes in the heels of the shooting dead of Jamim Shah. Such grievous incidents taking place in quick succession points to the inefficacy of the government in enforcing the rule of law that is so much sought after in the

run up to the May 28 deadline. The government, despite its much publicised special security plan, has not been able to control violence and criminal activities in the country. Even the Kathmandu valley that seems to attract so much attention in terms of security has become a haven for criminals who can indulge in anti-social activities at will.

Herein, it is worthwhile pondering over the fact that political interference is on an all time high because of the leeway that so many political parties have as partners of the coalition government. In this context, it has often been reported that the police come under immense pressure not to go after certain cases so it has at times created a possible sense of indifference. If the police department that has much of the logistics and the training is not allowed to act according to its stated functions, life for the common man becomes dangerous even while carrying out the day-to-day affairs. In this, the role of the armed outfits in the country too comes under the scanner. With the resources at hand, it is alarming that the government does not seem to be moving with the sincere intent of protecting the life and property of the citizens. Besides fulfilling the agenda of the twin responsibilities of seeing that the constitution is drafted within the scheduled date and moving the peace process towards its conclusion, the government also has to ensure the security of the citizens and provide all possible relief to them. On all the fronts, there seems to be very little progress.

Having said this, it needs to be mentioned that even the supposedly responsible political parties are indulging in all possible ways to carry out activities that are simply not in line with the aspirations of the people. If there is a spree to eliminate threats through murders, the other facet shows land grabbing, extortions, abductions and whatever that disturbs the peace in the society and tries to impose the perpetrators’ ill-will, but it is with a feeling of uneasiness that one observes the government not worried over the vile trend that suggests its inability to cope with the situation.

Unwelcome holidays

All the teachers of schools in a VDC in Sindhupalchowk district have ostensibly set off for a

school observation tour closing all the schools in the VDC in the process. This has enraged the school children and their guardians who say the teachers were acting irresponsibly, especially taking into account that the education calendar is at

its fag end and the final examinations are round the corner. Meanwhile, the teachers have a point in saying that they would looking into the functioning of model schools in other parts of the school that would help them improve the quality of education imparted in the schools of the vicinity. They might have a point, but the timing of the tour raises many questions and whether it is appropriate to conduct the tour at this time.

Ideally, the tour could have taken place after the exams and during the holiday period. Then studies and the preparations for the examinations would not be hampered. In any case, one smells some mischief in the teachers opting for the tour at this time. Are there misappropriations of funds involved in this case? Let us hope this is the case.