I was perturbed again after reading the news story that four protesters aligned to the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) were killed in Rabiraj, Saptari, on Monday when they tried to attack a rally of the CPN-UML as part of its Mechi-Mahakali National Campaign (“Four protesters killed in police firing in Saptari”, THT, March 7, Page 1).

Needless to say that the nation is witnessing such unpleasant incidents at a time when it is gearing up for local level elections scheduled for May 14. It is the beauty of democracy that a political party has every right to reach out to the people in any part of the country in a peaceful way.

Nobody has the right to disturb peaceful rallies. Police are also expected to maintain restraint to the extent possible. But one should not undermine the strong possibility that there could have been another Gaur or Tikapur had the police not prevented the violent groups aiming to ruin the UML rally (“Conspiracy to kill party’s top leaders: UML”, THT, March 8, Page 6).

UDMF cadres seem to have gone out of control. The UDMF should not have resorted to attacking another party’s rally. They could have also organised their peaceful rally denouncing the UML’s views. One can imagine what would have happened if any of the UML leaders or cadres were attacked, injured or even killed.

Three former prime ministers were attending it. UDMF’s plan to disrupt the UML rally was not only to derail the local level election but also to prevent the new constitution from being implemented. All should be cautious about it.

Sanjog Karki, Tansen

Security

The clash between the Madhesi Front and police in Rajbiraj where the CPN-UML was holding its rally on Monday indicates uncertainty about the upcoming local election slated for May 14.

It is unfortunate that the four Madhesi people were killed in police firing in Rajbiraj. But the UDMF should take responsibility for what went wrong on Monday. It is the responsibility of the government to provide security to all political parties who want to go to the people with their political agendas, especially at the time of election.

The UML’s MechiMahakali National Campaign was announced one month ago and the party leadership had already published its itinerary and venues. The Home Ministry should have been on high alert to prevent such untoward incidents leading to confrontation between the two sides.

The government and the ruling parties cannot ask a political party to postpone or suspend its political campaign simply because of untoward incidents in some parts of the country. The government must be able to differentiate between the political elements and criminal ones during the period of election.

On the other hand, the government cannot suspend the already announced date of local level election, though one particular party decides to stay away from taking part in the election.

If the government cannot provide security for a campaign of any political force, how can it assure the people that it can hold the three tiers of elections?

Rabin Dumi, Patan Campus