Reopen Tibetan office

After the assumption of executive power by the King, the state resorted to oppressive measures against the Tibetan refugees in Nepal. It is clear that it happened at the Chinese government’s behest. Some incidents took place, which hurt the sentiments of the Tibetans here. On May 31, 2003, Nepal deported 18 Tibetan refugees followed by the closure of Dalai Lama’s two key offices in January 2005. This not only shocked the Tibetans, but also the international community.

Many Tibetans living in Nepal seem to feel unsafe. The previous government had shunned all requests from the US, the EU, among others, to reopen the Dalai Lama’s offices. As the offices have been operating in Nepal since the last four decades, I urge the government to help them resume work.

Dalai Lama is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (1989) and one of the most influential leaders in the world today. A peace-loving country like Nepal should not treat his endeavours in this manner.

Nyima Gyalpo, Kathmandu

Be cautious

Dr Bhawani P Dhungana’s article “Development planning: Past lesson and future prospects” (THT, May 9) was an insightful write up. Of course, the reinstated House is the result of the people’s movement and the people’s sacrifice would be meaningless unless we move towards constituent assembly elections. If the seven-party alliance cannot agree with each other, the country will head for another movement soon.

Some 21 demonstrators have been named martyrs and many more are still recovering. I am also a victim of the state suppression. I have been wounded in the knee due to lathi-charge. The agitators wish to see the new government fulfilling their demands quickly.

The government must work to reconstruct the destroyed socio-economic fabric, build infrastructure and re-establish displaced persons and their families. Special attention must be paid to poverty alleviation and employment generation. Those who suffered due to the

insurgency have to be rehabilitated. Only formulation of policies is meaningless if they are not implemented soon.

Keshab Sharma, TU

Avoid chaos

To bring the army under the parliament’s purview is a wise decision. But as regards the question of republic vs a system with monarchy, the people alone should decide. There must be many Nepalis who feel the need of a ceremonial monarchy. That view has to be respected too. I hail from Sweden and we have a very successful division between the parliament’s real power and the symbolic power that rests with the monarch. History has shown that countries that abolish monarchy all to easily fall into chaos or even worse dictatorship. Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan are some examples.

Lars G E Backstrom, via e-mail

Dalits’ rights

It is not enough to give speeches on the rights of citizens. Some meaningful changes have to be brought about in the social set-up. One of the main priorities of the government now must be to provide citizenship certificates to the Dalits who have long been discriminated against and abused by the so-called upper caste people.

Sarita Sunwar, via e-mail