Publicity stunt

This refers to the news report “Matrika miffed at media” (THT, August 5). Going by his recent public utterances, there is no doubt that the minister for forest and soil conservation

Matrika Prasad Yadav is making irrational and ill-timed statements to gain cheap popularity. First, he reportedly announced that he was stepping down from his post of minister. The Maoists then made it clear that he had tendered his resignation only to his party leadership and not to the Prime Minsiter. Now, following media reports about withdrawal of his

resignation, Yadav is denying he has taken it back.

This shows that his only intention was to steal some limelight.

Dev Raj Adhikary, Nepaltar, Kathmandu

Crime control

Kathmanduites are increasingly fitting their houses with anti-burglary gadgets. People have even started to form their own vigilante groups in their respective wards and

neighbourhoods in order to curb criminal activities. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan City Police force, which has the main responsibility to control criminal activities in the city, does not seem to be doing much. Though self-protective measures at the people level are

understandable considering the spurt in crime, it is the primary duty of the police to maintain law and order.

The police should work hand in hand with the people in order to make the city a safer place to live in.

Dorji Tsering Sherpa,

Galfutar

Take action

The shopkeepers stationed in the departure lounge of Tribhuvan International

Airport (TIA) are fleecing passengers and the authorities concerned look on helplessly. This indicates that there is some sort of unholy nexus between TIA authorities, police and

shopkeepers at TIA. It’s not just a matter of price but also of the negative impression this kind of practice might make on thousands of tourists who visit Nepal every year. The government should take immediate steps to break this unholy nexus by taking action against the shopkeepers who charge too much.

Manoj Thapa, via e-mail

Self-serving

Apropos of the letter “Public Stunt” (THT, August 6), I agree that most of the

campaigns being conducted on the pretext of raising money for flood victims are nothing but publicity stunts. I doubt if these campaigns have really helped the flood victims even though the public has been contributing lavishly to their cause. Little seems to have trickled down to the victims. It is nice to see so many people getting together for a good cause but the

government should not allow the campaigns that benefit the donation collectors rather than real victims.

Dwaipayan Regmi,

Biratnagar

Way to go

Science students of Tri-Chandra College have recently come together to form an amateur group called “Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO)” for deliberation on astronomy. At a time when the government’s Planetarium and Observatory Project has stalled due to bureaucratic hassles, it is great to see these youngsters take the initiative themselves.

Kedar, Gongabu