Ruthless repression:

We have read and seen news of protesters being shot in heads during the demonstrations. This is a serious matter because, according to international humanitarian laws and our own national laws, security personnel cannot shoot in the heads of protesters. Though it is logical for the police to open fire when crowds become very violent during public gatherings, the security forces should abide by the law, which requires them to shoot below the knee, when necessary. Also, shooting should take place only after other means have failed. Ruthless beating and firing are unacceptable. The security men and the government too should realise the futility of resorting to excessive repression.

Roshan Rijal, via e-mail

Corruption:

When King Gyanendra took direct control of the country more than a year back, we were promised peace, democracy, good governance and an end to corruption. But things have not improved; rather, the situation has deteriorated further. One institution that has always been under the King’s control (even before October 2002) is the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA). The Supreme Court is hearing a couple of cases with regard to the RNA. This includes misappropriation of funds and failure to maintain proper accounts and have an audit. But the RNA officials have been uncooperative so far. So one may bother to ask, “Why hide facts if you’re innocent?” The people would like to see steps being taken by the government to end corruption and introduce accountability. A good beginning would be to start with the King’s dearest institution — the RNA.

Pratik Pradhan, via e-mail

Stubborn:

It is a fact that the protests started by the seven-party alliance have now taken the form of a ‘People’s Movement’ in the true sense as some esteemed writers have opined in their articles in THT of late. Besides, the professionals, the government servants and others have joined the agitation. But the government is still behaving in a stubborn manner without being aware of the consequences of its actions. It uses the state media to justify its wrong decisions and to project the people’s turnout in the protests as illegal and sporadic. The extended prohibitory and shooting orders prove that the movement has alarmed the government. It should take serious conciliatory steps.

Anupam Bhusal, via e-mail

People power:

The way the people are taking to the streets against the undemocratic regime shows that they are looking for a drastic change in the political set-up of the country. Though this is not the first People’s Movement (the country passed through a similar struggle in 1990), this time around, the public seems to be more aware. This is thus a testing time for all the political forces of the country. Since the public knows what it wants, the parties and the palace can no longer fool them. They are fighting for their rights not merely to bring the leaders or the parties to power. The King, on his part, should realise that it is the people who are his real strength. So he must let the sovereignty lie in the people.

Khim Chhetri, USA