This has reference to the news story “Nine killed, 31 injured in accident” (THT, August 1, Page 6). In the recent past, a number of bus accidents have occurred in different parts of the country. Unlike in any case of plane crashes, the government does not form an inquiry commission to probe into the road accidents.

Newspapers generally quote the traffic police who attribute the failure of the brakes to the accident, treacherous roads, drivers’ negligence and so on as the causes for the accidents. The most important, but always ignored, cause is the poorly built body of the bus by the inexperienced Nepalese body builders.

The country’s body building companies lack safety standard that may to some extent prevent a bus meeting with an accident. Studies have shown that a safety incorporated design can help avoid accidents, besides it reduces the number of injured and death toll also.

The UN has declared 2011 to 2020 as the Decade for Road Safety decade, setting an ambitious goal of reducing fatalities by 50% compared to the 2010 numbers. It is high time that the government worked towards making bus building a complete engineering industry ensuring good design, quality and comfort.

Shyam Shrestha, Kathmandu

Fighting crime

Apropos of the news story “Overseas labour migration fell 18.4 per cent in last fiscal year” (THT, July 30, Page 13), it is extremely worrying as it will lead to quantum jump in crimes in the country, especially in the affluent Newar Valley “Theft, robbery cases on steady rise” (THT, July 29, Page 2).

Crimes in the Valley are inversely related to labour exports; crimes decrease when labour export increases and vice versa. What is also a matter of serious concern is the police confession that 20 per cent of the criminals are repeat offenders, which calls for change in our laws that treat criminals with love and affection.

The police suggestion of guarding the house 24 hours a day is not practical in this day and age. Nor installing CCTV is of any use as it will not deter repeat offenders from committing crimes. We need laws making trespassing and forced entry a crime punishable to the maximum extent possible.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

Factual error

We would like to draw your attention to the news story “Business family involved in drug smuggling” (THT, August 1, Page 2”.

Please be informed that Rhinex is not the product that contains Pseudoephedrine and is one of the most prescribed and trusted brand among the anti-cold preparations in Nepal manufactured by us.

Such information could not only have an impact on our brand but even on the company’s image.

Ashok Sharma, ED, SIMCA Laboratories Pvt Ltd.