Fighting against Terrorist and Peace In Nepal

Nepal finally conducted the municipal polls amidst threats and fears, which amply suggests that country's political stalemate could be resolved through the elections.

Nepal succeeded in restoring people's dignity and rights by holding the polls in a fair and free manner. It is a big achievement for the nation and the people. The seven political parties ridiculed the democratic process as they went against the elections riding on the backs of terrorists.

When His Majesty the King assumed the executive power one year ago, the political parties blamed that the King would not hold the polls to bring the derailed democratic process back on track. As His Majesty announced holding the municipal and general elections, the parties again put blame on the head of the state that he could not do so. And as the elections approached, they openly engaged in activities geared at disrupting the polls by forging an alliance with the terrorists. Is it not a sheer mockery of democracy?

The brave candidates filed their candidacy and the courageous people came out to cast ballots defying the boycott of seven-party alliance and fear of terrorist attack. Nepal did not force the people to go to the poll centers.They came out on their own to exercise their democratic rights. The percentage of voters' turnout is not so important. We have to see the adverse circumstances under which the people cast their votes. For low turn out, it is the political parties and the Maoists, not the government that is responsible. The parties deprived the people from casting their ballots. The country was compelled to pass through uncertainty largely due to the failure of the government in the past to hold the elections in the given timeframe. "Now this confusion is gradually evaporating with the successful holding of the municipal polls and the parliamentary elections that is to take place next year. It was up to the media and the civil society to ask why a lesser number of votes were polled.

To a query regarding the dialogue with the Maoist outfit, the Royal address on February 1 had clearly made public the roadmap to end terror and bring those who strayed away by taking arms, to the political mainstream. His Majesty has said that those who have gone astray wished to rejoin the mainstream of peace and creativity, democracy and coordination, and if they wish to dedicate themselves in the service of people through ballot, abjuring the murderous acts against the nation and people, we make it clear that they will be given the security and opportunity necessary to shoulder the responsibilities of governance in their capacity. These lines in the Royal address is a clear indication to them to come forward for dialogue. Everybody should realise the gist of the Royal address and come to a consensus by making patriotism as the meeting point. This is only a pragmatic roadmap available to the Nepalese to steer the nation ahead. The government was not for solving the Maoist problem by killing them. Peace will not come by finishing them. They are also Nepalis. But when they carry weapon, they become terrorists. The Nepali people continue to be killed as long as the terrorists continue to carry.

It is full of unfounded facts and has vilified the nation. By broadcasting the interview of a terrorist leader, the BBC, the state-run radio of the United Kingdom, known as mother of democracy, has encouraged terrorism and harmed the ongoing democratic process of the nation. Highlighting the achievement of the government in the last one-year, he said that a sense of security and confidence is seen to have increased among the people. "Moreover, the terrorists had suffered a lot. Firstly, they had lost their strongholds in the very parts of the country, where they had claimed to have taken under control. They are now not in position to attack the army barrack and loot the arms. This is why Prachand, in his interview to the BBC, has admitted that the terrorists had been unable to attack the capital.

Likewise, one has not been able to hear about any corruption scams ever since the present government came to power. The so-called Maoist cease-fire announced some months ago as a strategy to regroup and rearm for more destruction in the country. Asked about the demand of the constituent assembly, he said, "The present constitution, which is described as one of the best ones in the world, was drafted by no other than the political parties. The state can not change the constitution just because some are demanding for it by resorting to violence and pelting stones in the streets.

The nation was compelled to plunge into crisis as the parties started to interpret the constitution as per their interest. This tendency invited detrimental politics in the country. The Article 127 of the constitution was for breaking the deadlock facing the nation and His Majesty the King was asked to exercise this provision to address the situation as they went on unfolding in the changing scenario of the country. The poll is the road to the constitutional and democratic exercise. It is not surprising to see the foreigners being pushed into confusion with the national politics under dilemma. It was up to the judiciary to decide the legitimacy of the polls, not the outsiders. The political parties for providing unnecessary leverage to the foreigners resulting in the infringement on the national dignity. The Maoists abandoned the parliamentary politics when there were governments led by the political parties. "Now the same parties have forged alliance with the terrorists to sabotage the democratic system. Now the Nepali people have understood this nefarious nexus. The media should not encourage the terrorists to unleash anti-people activities.

The state is fighting against dangerous insurgency. Those nations that have fought insurgency had declared emergency for years curtailing human rights and press freedom. Thus, we must be cautious not to allow such a situation to arise.

ENDS

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