Drag them to court

The recent attacks on Himalmedia and the treatment meted out to agitating journalists are symptomatic of a regime which is panicking at its failures. I am sure that the alleged union cadres are at large acting on tacit advice from their leaders. But, I sincerely wish that

Himalmedia drags the culprits to the court. Though the Maoist ministers continue to stress that “attacking media is not their policy”, their cadres continue to discredit their political bosses by defying instructions. The CPN-Maoist spokesperson urged the people not to politicise the incident until a proper investigation was conducted. However, not a single Maoist leader has visited the site since the incident took place, neither has any of them issued any statement promising cooperation to bring those involved to book. If the CPN-Maoist and its youth wing, YCL, do not want to be portrayed in a bad light, they must improve their conduct.

Adarsha Tuladhar, via e-mail

Under attack

The media is regarded as the fourth estate. But Nepali media has been under constant attack by the state as well as non-state actors. Even as the constitution guarantees freedom of the press, journalists have been killed and subjected to torture and humiliation.

The recent attack on Himalmedia is just a case in point. Though several journalists were injured during the scuffle with Maoist union cadres, the government led by the CPN-Maoist stands a mute spectator. Tarai-based journalists face similar threats. They have often been forced to report in favour of criminal groups. The media organisations including the Federation of Nepalese Journalists should come forward to protect press freedom. They must also put pressure on the government to bring the guilty to book.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Kathmandu

Unacceptable

Leader of Tarai Madhesh Loktantrik Party, Hridayesh Tripathy, during a recent TV programme claimed that both the Nepal Army (NA) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) do not represent the Madhesi people. He demanded the creation of Mithila and Tharu regiments so as to accommodate Madhesis in the national army. Though recruitment of Madhesis in the NA had never been a bone of contention, Tripathy seems to be making it an agenda in order to serve his personal interests. We have known people of both Hill and Madhesh origin living

harmoniously for ages. The agenda of separate regiments can only be construed as an evil intent designed to disintegrate the nation. This is unacceptable.

V P Sayami, Kathmandu

Not feasible

It is embarrassing to learn that though Nepal is considered the second richest country in terms

of water resources, the government has recently declared a power emergency. It is an irony that, instead of encouraging private investment in micro-hydropower projects to ease supply gradually, the government is planning to establish massive thermal plants, which as projected by experts are unfeasible for several reasons. The government has to come up with some concrete ideas immediately to mitigate the impact of power crisis.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne, Australia