Politics not an end

This is in reference to the news report “Talks between Madhesi leaders, govt fail” (THT, Feb. 21). The Madhesi groups by sticking to their demand for the Tarai as a single unit and right to self-determination have fuelled the anger of other marginalised communities in the country. Madhesi leaders should understand that politics is not an end in itself but a means to ensure the well-being of the people. Moreover, it’s not only the Madhesi community that has suffered due to Seven Party Alliance government’s inability to address the genuine

grievances of the common people. The politics which is motivated by communal

interests will only lead the nation to disintegration, which definitely isn’t what the Madhesi leaders would wish for.

Samson, via e-mail

Insincere

Physicians at the Narayani sub-regional hospital in Birgunj have halted all services, including

emergency, reportedly because of the police encroachment on hospital premises to look for the protestors. Several media persons have also been beaten up and manhandled by police personnel while covering protests in the Tarai. The Seven Pparty Alliance government has shown a dual character by inviting the agitating Tarai groups for talks on the one hand, and using force on the other. Under similar circumstances last year, 40 protestors were killed. The demands of the agitating groups should be properly addressed.

Anish Jha, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu

Phoney

This concerns the news analysis “No respite likely from power cuts till 2013” (Feb. 19, 2008). It has been stated that the senior CPN-UML leader and former finance minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari was shell-shocked to learn about the worsening energy situation in Nepal. I do not think Adhikari has any reason to be “shell-shocked” as it was his party that wrote to the World Bank in 1998 to cancel Arun III project , when the agreement was ready to be signed. The country would not have suffered from power cuts had the project materialised.

Akriti Nepal, Kathmandu

Settle it

It’s been more than a week since the life in the Tarai has come to a standstill.

Everyday, more than a dozen protestors are injured; a couple of them have succumbed to their injuries. The agitators’ demands of self-determination and a single Madhes unit are

genuine. Now that the process for Constituent Assembly election has already started, Prime

Minister Koirala cannot neglect the demands, because it is necessary to ensure that the Cconstituent Assembly polls are held in a peaceful atmosphere.

On the other hand, the Madhesi leaders must be able to convince the government that their

demands are aimed at restructuring the centralised structure of governance. Furthermore, the government should not use force against the protestors on the pretext of

maintaining law and order. Before the situation gets worse, it will be wise for both the government and the Madhesi outfits to settle their differences to pave the way for election.

Dhananjay Shah, Central Department of English, TU Kirtipur