Propaganda instrument

Ganga Thapa’s article titled “Present government: The biggest hurdle to peace” published in THT on March 13 shows that the opposition to the King is more ideological and based on personal dislike rather than on a clearly formulated political plan aiming at the nation’s good.

The alliance-Maoists 12-point agreement lacks a fundamental point — an incontrovertible pledge from the rebels to disarm if democracy is restored.

Without this the agreement is just a propaganda instrument, so any criticism to it is well motivated.

The statement that the King is the only stumbling block to peace does not consider the history of the rebellion and ignores the reports of murders, extortion and intimidation by the Maoists. Thapa, obviously, doesn’t read newspapers and considers the Maoists great peaceniks and

democrats.

The alliance is using the Maoists to declare a ceasefire to pressurise the King and if he does not comply then they will give the rebels the green light to resume attacks. In a way, they promote the murder of fellow Nepalis. (or maybe the securitymen who are killed are not Nepalis?)

Yet one agrees that insurgency and corruption are the country’s main problems and even King Gyanendra had stated this very early in his reign. So let the Maoist pledge to

decommission and the parties vow to fight corruption only then the King will be cornered and will have to give up his stand.

SK Aryal, Bishalnagar

Hot spot

I was unaware about the missing ‘Buddha’ when suddenly a friend of mine from Turkey called me in Texas to know more about the meditating Buddha boy or Ram Bahadur Bamjan’s whereabouts.

I was shocked at the interest shown by that person. But I soon realised that people all over the world do take interest about what is happening in Nepal. I was happy to know that there were other interesting things that are making Nepal a hot spot besides the Maoist insurgency.

Samridhi Shrestha,

via e-mail

Encourage

The 35th National Athletic Championship was almost swept away by the Nepal

Police and Tribhuvan Army Club recently. Does this mean that civilians are not interested in sports or they aren’t getting a chance?

As a spectator, I noticed that the regional players were minimal, unequipped and ill trained. I don’t know why they were taking part — out of their own choice or due to scanty funds from the athletic association — they were barefoot and without other kits. I would, however, like

to congratulate Keshari Chaudhary for breaking the national record in high jump and thank Khurshed Ahamed Khan and Bina Shrestha for their contribution to uplift sports in Nepal.

Pradip Bhandari,

Gyanodaya College

Shocking

Bara district is one of the most backward districts as people are mostly unlettered here. Due to this many children are forced to marry between the ages of 10 to 13. In the ceremony even well known government officials are found to be present. They do not speak even a word against this social ill. The government should strictly punish those who

violate the rules.

Ishwor Singh, Kalaiya