Nepal’s Suffering: An outrage to humanity

I am sure nobody would agree with the recent statement by the Deputy PM saying that “there is 400 % security in Kathmandu” and that by implication other parts of the country too are relatively safe. As a matter of fact, even if there was 4% security in the Tarai region of Nepal as of now the government could have gratefully patted itself on the back.

In spite of repeated assurances from those striding the corridors of power, the country seems headed toward political uncertainty. The verbal slanging match between responsible top level leaders against each other of late on the army integration question between Maoist combatants and the Nepal Army, the continuous violence and murders taking place in Nepal’s Tarai almost on a daily basis, increasing criminal activities in Kathmandu, the capital and other major cities, the political uncertainty, the threat that looms over the industrial, business and educational sectors, the increasing load shedding hours (now up to twelve hours a day and likely to be further increased in the near future) and the double digit inflation, indicate in no uncertain terms that the country and the people are in for hard days ahead.

What makes matters worse, is that according to reports, there are several trigger-happy armed groups in the Tarai who are virtual “warlords” and over whom no political party seems to have any control whatsoever. The government held talks with some of them but with no success. Besides, there are also labor problems that have forced several industries to shut down called by those who belong to some union of some political party or the other. In fact even the tourism industry that was just beginning to pick up has been gravely affected including five star hotels and even powerful media houses. Another constant worry for the people is the ever-increasing price rise of basic commodities and scarcely available petroleum related products.

On the security front, besides the forceful encroachment of Nepali soil in many parts of the country notably in Susta, there is, according to reports, virtually no security force on our side of the border compared to the other side manned by the Indian border security force. The issue that should have galvanized the concerned authorities into meaningful action decades ago still goes surprisingly unattended.

Another cause for worry are the continuous arrivals of different foreign dignitaries-of late in Kathmandu namely, Foreign ministers, Army Chiefs and other high level dignitaries from neighboring states. These visits may have obliged and elated many here, but there are astute political observers who feel differently, that any outside power whether it be immediate neighbors or those from across the seas are here primarily for themselves. It would be naive on our part to even suppose that they are here for altruistic purposes. The argument holds weight considering that when our very own leaders belonging to different political parties seem least bothered about the plight of their own people, it would be downright insult to the intelligence to even suppose for a while that outsiders will step in to play the proverbial knights in shining armor and deliver us from the sorry plight that this once peaceful country has been unwillingly pushed into. The suffering that the people have undergone and are going through on a daily basis is to put it mildly an outrage to humanity!

At this crucial juncture when the peace process should have concluded in an amicable manner and the drafting of the constitution started in earnest, it is rather unfortunate that the ruling alliance should bicker among themselves and on the slightest pretext go for each other’s jugular. At this rate the promises of the much-touted “Naya Nepal” sill at best remain a moth’s cry for the moon. Hopefully, the government and the opposition will see sense even at this late hour and steer the country back on track failing which, to quote WB Yeats, the famous Irish poet, could prove disastrous for both the country and its people. The prophetic and oil quoted lines of the poet, at this point in time, could not be truer than in the case of Nepal.

Turning and turning in the widening gyre

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the World.

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity.”

Posted on : 2008-12-30 19:46:00

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