Games people play

Some of the Maoist leaders have said that if the result of the Constituent Assembly polls is not in favour of republicans, including themselves, they will start another (peaceful) revolt. This is not fair. In any game, one may win or lose. But the rules of the game must be respected. The Maoists are having to appease the hard-liners among their ranks.

However, having joined the peace process, they are having to “play by the book” to win the war of ballots in the upcoming polls. Lately, it seems, they have come to realise that it is a difficult task. Some of the Maoist statements have given the impression that they are not very sure of their victory in election, and hence they may be trying to orchestrate an exit strategy by talking about another revolution.

Nepali people are now looking for a peaceful end to the conflict and chaos in the country through the Constituent Assembly. In this atmosphere, Maoist threat appear both

undemocratic and uncalled for. The Election Commission should say outright that these Maoist statements constitute a serious breach of election code of conduct.

Sunil Sharma,

Teku, Kathmandu

PM’s promise

Every time Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is in his hometown of Biratnagar, he makes important political statements. This ritual continued during his most recent Biratnagar visit as well. His announcement that he will quit politics after successful holding of the Constituent Assembly polls is a case in point. If he indeed acts on his stated promise, it will be a

praiseworthy move. Koirala’s age does not allow him to function to his full potential in such an important office.

If he bows out of politics now, Koirala will be remembered for his tremendous contribution for the cause of democracy in Nepal. He also said that no force would be able stop the Constituent Assembly polls scheduled for April 10. But the armed outfits in the Tarai are likely to create more trouble. The royalists contesting the election might also create mischief. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister needs to be mindful of the office holders using government vehicles for poll campaigning.

Dwaipayan Regmi,

Biratnagar

Tibet protests

I was aghast at the television footage of violence in the once peaceful and beautiful Tibetan holy city of Lhasa sparked by Tibetan protesters demanding religious freedom from the government in Beijing. As a Nepali tourism entrepreneur, I have had the chance to talk to many Tibetans in Lhasa. Most of them are not at all happy with the Chinese government’s refusal to grant total religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom to preserve cultural identity. Many Tibetans fear that one day they might become a minority in Tibet because of migration of people from other parts of China.

I have found Tibetans simple, peaceful and highly religious people. Recent unrest is the result of deep-seated resentment against China’s repressive policies in the Tibet

Autonomous Region since 1950. All freedom-loving people in the world should support the cause of Tibetans for seeking greater freedom and human rights and condemn Chinese

policy towards them.

Bijay Chhetri, via e-mail