Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, in the course of his tour of the violence-affected Kapilvastu district, said on Saturday that the government would take action against the security officials unable to stop the violence there. Speaking at Chandrauta, Kapilvastu, at an all-party discussion, the home minister expressed the commitment that the government would bring the guilty to book even if the election code of conduct came in the way. Sitaula faced local people — political leaders, representatives of various organisations, and commoners — who told him with one voice that the violence intensified, leading to more death and destruction, because of the indifference of police officers. They demanded immediate removal of the chief district officer. They also gave the home minister a piece of their mind by demonstrating their outrage at the government’s failure to provide the people with security or relief even one week afterwards.

Kapilvastu is not the first instance of such violence during the transition, and, probably, it won’t be the last. Almost every time violence struck and people were killed and property destroyed elsewhere, the home ministry expressed its commitment to bring the guilty to book. But in most cases, it showed its inability to do so. In the Tarai, discord has been sown between communities by a handful of elements at home and across the border, all the more so after Jana Andolan II. Even while they indulged in such activities, including a resort to wanton violence, the local administration and the government at the centre often did not respond adequately to bring them under control. So, these elements were emboldened in their murderous ways, spreading poison.

The killers of a local Congress leader of the Muslim community, whose death was, ostensibly, the cause of all that happened, are yet to be tracked down and their motive ascertained. But the campaign of hate spread in response was much more tragic. The death toll has approached three dozens; about 150 vehicles were set on fire or vandalised; more houses were destroyed; about 300 are still missing or out of contact; and some 5,000 have been displaced. The Kapilvastu violence suggests how volatile the situation is, particularly in the Tarai. Even a small incident can be blown out of all proportion by vested interests, leaving behind corpses, burnt-down or destroyed houses and vehicles, and further deepening the feelings of communal hatred. This raises doubts about the government’s ability to hold free, fair and credible constituent assembly (CA) polls, because, as the polls come nearer, such elements are expected to spread violence and terror even more. The government formed, last Thursday, a judicial committee to investigate the incidents. If the past is anything to go by, things do not look up. While the country stands at a critical turning point such as this, it is necessary for the eight political parties to cement their unity further. But, sadly, they are still struggling to find a firm common voice, on some of the vital issues of the day, including on monarchy v republic.