Saturday, May 29, 2004

Continuing violence in Nepal

Each day scores of people get killed in Nepal. This isn't caused by any accidents. It is in fact caused by direct violent action. In the districts, people die regularly. The Maoist rebels are the instigators of much of the violence. These rebels move across remote villages asking for food from locals. They use force if their requests are denied. Anyone having thoughts which defy the rebels are brutally beaten sometimes killed. Goats, buffaloes, even cows are sometimes commandered and taken away for food. The rebels regularly slaughter cows which are sacred in Nepal's majority Hindu religion and forcibly feed beef to even Hindu priests. The rebels have become champions of minorities and ethnic groups who had long been disregarded by ruling elite in Kathmandu, the capital city. The Maoist rebels say they will give equal and just representation to these marginalized groups including regional autonomy. The rebels have already declared areas under their control as "free self governing zones". The government hasn't come forward with programs with which it can win back support of these indigenous communities.
Tourists are also having to pay "special transit taxes" to the rebels. Up till now there hasn't been deaths of tourists at the hands of rebels. The insurgency has cost the once thriving tourism industry severely. There are travel warnings posted by embassies including the US Embassy, whic warn would be travellers to avoid rebel controlled territory.
Nepal's problem has to be internationalized. It cannot be simply regarded as an internal matter of Nepal. Foreign countries as they provide economic and development aid should provide security assistance to protect the lives of ordinary citizens. So foreign intervention should be encouraged especially that of India and China. It would be good if these countries constitute some type of stabilization force inside Nepal which bothe rebels and government dare not challenge. For this kind of concept to materialize, Nepal needs support from US and Europe. Please help Nepal achive peace!

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