Highway security

Ever since the Maoists bombed a passenger bus in Madi,Chitwan killing about thirty people, travel in the national highways has been a nightmare to many. The Maoists try to target security personnel who regularly use buses for transport. Now, the army has issued directive ordering soldiers to refrain from using buses while on duty. Despite this, security problem persists in the highways and many more people are likely to die in the future.
The Maoists use roadside bomb to target military and police vehicles. These explosives concocted with explosive materials imported from India are triggered by 'button pushers' who observe their quarry before pushing the button to detonate the bomb. It is extremey difficult to locate both the bomb and the 'button pushers'. It is said that these 'button pushers' position themselves close to a few hundred meters of the bomb at a vantage point to observe the target area.
There is no technology to detect bombs laden at roadside apart from crude metal detectors which a soldier in outlying areas is likely to get into his hand. These devices are nothing like ones used in Iraq by US troops who also are victims of suicide bombers. All soldiers in patrol must keep a keen eye for the 'button pushers' who are often cleverly camouflaged with the terrain. To locate these elusive foe, is one hell of a task for underequipped, unmotivated Royal Nepal Army men who are often poorly trained.
Anytime another bus might go off like an ignited matchbox, at the mercy of whim of some trigger-happy Maoist executive. With th ecoming of festival season, tens of thousands of Nepalis return to their home villages and towns. Public buses are the chief means of transport for these people. Although a truce can be expected during Dashain, small miscalculation by the rebels can trigger a human catastrophe. Travelling by buses is ticking time bomb. Anytime it can go off. Not only buses, private cars and SUVs are also potential targets. Incidents of Maoists stopping and torching vehicles, although passengers have been spared, is quite common. A non-insured vehicle can be a source of terrible loss to its owner.
Army has recently purchased WZ-523 APCs from China. these can be used for highway security. however, the army needs more than the six purchased to patrol the major highways.

Country under threat

Nepal has seen the continuation of internal conflict. Currently the King of the country has taken the reins of poewer into his own hands. His Majesty's public stance has been that he shall provide relieve to the embattled citizens. Lack of democratic rights has further jeopardized united resolve to solve the problem of violence in the country. Only a national consensus can solve the country's problems according to many experts. Suspension of several rights has meant that people do not have proper channel to voice their concern and protest. The resumption of private telecom provides a breathing space, but yet to open mobile service has only served to curtail the right to communication of citizens. Government's argument that the telecom service is being misused by the Maoists does not give it the mandate to simply take these basic rights away from citizens. The country has suffered in terrible scale in terms of loss of revenue (to Nepal Telecom, United Telecom Limited), loss of businesses, difficulty in contacting mobile people and lot of other opportunities.
The Maoist threat to the country is acute as ever. There has been reports in state media that Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, a prominent Maoist leader and ideologue and his wife have been expelled from the party. This has not yet been verified despite government's claims. Is this some kind of a misinformation campaign to discredit the Maoist rebels? Government has to come out with concrete evidence to support its claim. If it is true, it is a great victory to the cause of peace and freedom as any division in rebel ranks serves the government. But, our present government is not elected and therefore not responsible to the people. Maoist rebellion has served to uproot democracy in the country by allowing people who are against democracy to align themselves with the King to suspend fundamental rights in this country. But it is to be remembered that His Majesty the King has stated his commitment to democracy in the country. So therefore one can assume he means it and will restore democracy once he sees other systems are no better than democracy.