Monday, March 21, 2005

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.