Apropos of the news story “Tension re-emerges in the plain” (THT, Dec. 20, Page 1), in spite of Koirala’s misplaced optimism “Madhes stir will be resolved soon: Koirala, Dec. 20, Page 3” the reigniting of protests does not seem to augur well for the ordinary people and the country unless Koirala has a tacit understanding with the Madhesis. Let us see what the New Year has in store for the country and we will certainly pray that we do not receive any unwanted surprises as this blockade; festering black-marketeering and parochial nationalism are all getting on our nerves. We trust that “Flow of vehicles from India rise” (THT, Dec. 20, Page 10) would improve supplies for the people and not the black-markeeters. It seemsthat the bulk of these supplies from India thus far are landing in the hands of those who are running the underground economy. Apart from peddling platitudes, the government would do well to ensure ample supplies of essentials even if it has to bring them from the moon. The people are clearly getting restive, and not without reasons. For the last three months since the promulgation of the new constitution, the smuggling and black-marketing has taken firm roots in society, and it would be a Herculean task for the government to crack down on them in the long run. Ordinary people do not get fuel at the petrol pumps at the government price, but they are easily available if one is ready to pay three times more. It is anybodies’ guess that the black market economy cannot get a boost without the direct involvement of the law enforcing agencies.

1. Talchabhadell, Bhaktapur

All the best

The Nepalese football team which will be without the participation of the former captain Sagar Thapa, who has been charged with treason, is set to play in SAFF Championship tournament slated for December 23-January 3. Nepal has been shocked to know that five of its footballers have been found of guilty for match fixing, and they have now been released on bail. So it won’t be wrong even if we say that currently Nepalese football is passing through the worst possible phase not imagined by any football fan. What can be said for sure is that football in the country has really been corrupt after the fact that those five footballers found guilty in the crime were the really good footballers of Nepal. All the best to the current football team which will play the tournament in the south Indian city of Trivandrum. Let’s hope this team will bring a joy of happiness by showing the best of their talent. But before making any kind of allegation against the footballers, the ANFA which is the governing body of the country’s football, should come clean from all kinds of irregularities, mismanagement and favouritism. Those who were charge-sheeted for match-fixing would not have think of doing so had the ANFA officials been honest in their duties.

Pratik Shrestha, Kathmandu