Emboldened royalists:

The delay in holding the CA polls on time has emboldened the royalists. The other day, Kamal Thapa and Rabindra Nath Sharma, who worked for the weakening of democracy in Nepal, were once again heard singing the praises of monarchy. If the royalists are not stopped on their tracks, they might shatter the dream of millions of Nepalis to establish a democratic

republic. The recent remark of the PM about retaining a “Minor King” shows that he too is not firmly on the side of republicanism. It’s about time we started looking for a replacement for him too.

Saroj Sapkota, Kalanki

Impunity:

Concerning the news report “High drama: Police rescue YCL-captured govt official” (THT, June 21), does the YCL have authority to detain anyone they like for interrogation on corruption charges? Following the police’s rescue of Dr Piyush Kumar Rajendra, the

director of the Midwest Regional Health Directorate, YCL cadres reportedly blocked the regional highway and vandalised a statute of King Birendra to vent their ire.

Every day, we get to read news reports of people related to different political parties taking the law in their own hands. I cannot understand what the home ministry and its police force are doing.

If they can’t maintain law and order, why are they there in the first place?

Surendra Bajracharya,

via e-mail

China’s policy:

This is in reference to the news report “China not shunning Maoists here:

Envoy” (THT June 21). China seems to be reassessing its Nepal policy following last year’s April Revolution. As a close neighbour, it is quite natural that it has to take into account the emerging power equations in the country vis-à-vis India and the US. China, alarmed at the possible consequences of having strongly supported the royal regime, has been trying to control the damage by wooing the major political parties. By directing its new ambassador, Zheng Xianglin, to present his credentials to PM Koirala on April 19, Beijing sent out a strong message that its linkage with the monarchy was not a permanent one.

Nonetheless, it is difficult to understand what Xianglin means when he says that “China would not interfere in Nepal’s internal affairs”. The office of the Dalai Lama’s Tibetan Government -in-exile in Kathmandu was closed during the final days of the royal regime.

Nyima Gyalpo, Kathmandu

Everest road:

I don’t understand why the authorities are worried about China’s plan to build a highway on the side of Mt Everest, “China’s Everest road plan draws experts’ flak” (THT, June 21). This is a bilateral issue to be sorted out between Nepal and China. I also believe environmentalists are making unnecessary fuss about the highway.

Vibek Manandhar,

via e-mail

Free press:

The suspension of publication of Nepal Samacharpatra was shocking. Even after the

re-establishment of democracy, press freedom comes under attack from time to time. The

dispatchers’ agitation at the Kamana Prakashan is one of political intervention and gross violation of the public’s right to know.

Abijit Sharma, Dhapasi