More suffering in the offing?

It seems that the people have to face another suffering in the name of civilian supremacy if the political parties fail to end the political deadlock over the issue of the Army Chief’s

reinstatement by the President, as reported in “Stalemate

imminent as parties fail to reach consensus” (THT, August 5). Why this issue, now in the hands of the Supreme Court awaiting for its final verdict, has been the bone of contention for the parties cannot be easily understood by the common

people. Why don’t the parties come to a consensus over such issues for the interest of the country and the people rather than pushing the country to another disaster? There has been immense concern from all quarters whether the drafting of the new constitution would be completed within the stipulated time. The senior leaders of major political parties should not forget the promises they had made during Jana Andolan II which has tremendously raised people’s expectations. But, looking at the political parties’ ongoing

irresponsible and egoistic activities, people are extremely frustrated and desperately trying to hold back their anxieties and anger. They should not be deceived, betrayed and

neglected for long. Otherwise, the consequences would be very bitter and unexpected.

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj

Great loss

This is in reference to the news report, ‘Six pedestrians mowed down in capital’ (THT August 6). A small mistake of the driver has led to the deaths of six

innocent people which is a great loss. I think the guilty in this incident must be suitably

punished. And most importantly, selling and buying of all alcoholic

products must be banned so as to avoid similar accidents.

Sajan Pyakurel(Sangharsha) Orient College, Maharajgunj

Responsibility

Apropos of the news “Six pedestrians mowed down in capital” (THT, August 6), it is a tragedy. The driver of the car should be given very harsh punishment because he has committed a major offence. The police and the administration are also responsible for this. If this type of accident takes place in the heart of Kathmandu then we

can imagine the situation in other parts of the country.

Roshan Kumar Jha, Kathmandu School of Law, Bhaktapur

Possible

With reference to the news “N Korea frees US scribes” (THT August 6), it was good to read about. The role of ex-US President Bill Clinton was

remarkable too. If politicians make an initiative then nothing seems to be impossible, and I believe that the epidemic in Jajarkot and other neighbouring places could be controlled if the concerned people make genuine initiatives.

Manoj Thapa, via e-mail

Pittance

I am a visiting tourist to Nepal. Over the last month, I have been reading THT faithfully and I thank the paper for the reports given.Constraints (i.e. geography, difficult terrain, etc) and monetary help given by the overseas nations notwithstanding, the government and the health ministry is indeed giving Nepal a bad name with regards to paltry assistance given to the villagers affected by diarrhoea. People are dying by the day, and the government is taking its ‘own sweet time’ with rescue efforts and proposing pittance

monetary payment to families with kin killed. I am very

appalled indeed. No amount of monetary compensation can ever replace or bring back the life of a loved one. It is high time the government ‘wake up their idea’ and not sit on their high horses and do something about the diarrhoea/typhoid situation.

Dr Sharma, secretary of MoHP has mentioned that the current

situation does not warrant a declaration of heath emergency yet. What warrants this then? The government needs to empathise with these poor villagers and render all assistance required to alleviate them of the diarrhoea. After all, responsibility comes alongside for one in authority.

I am sure the Health Minister’s recent foray into a health forum in Germany must have received much flak from other nations. He and the government need to do the needful first - attend to the needy back at home. At the rate the government is going with

regards to the rescue effort of the poor victims, I reckon it will be a long time before Nepal can rise to be at one with the top nations around the world. I ask the

government to act now. It is never too late.

Yvonne Sng, via e-mail