Information
from our contact in Nepal
Dr. Surya Shrestha
is one of the charity's trustees based in Nepal and who is very
active in vetting initiatives for The Street Children of Nepal
Trust to financially support. He has sent this news report to
us. Which is why we are doing what we are doing.
I hope you will
read on, for this gives an insight into the climatic and political
difficulties that impacts on the lives of the people of Nepal
and highlights the need for help from the Western world.
"Dear
Friends
This year the monsoon has played havoc in Nepal. The death toll
has reached almost 600.
Floods
and landslides are common during monsoon, but the volume of rainfall
caused by flash floods has caused massive damage this time. For
the first time since my home was built some fifty years back in
the centre of Kathmandu, the flood water entered the building.
It was much worse in the hills where massive landslides washed
away dozens of houses. The monsoon has finally receded but the
human tragedy will last much longer.
The political situation is very volatile. The state of emergency
has been imposed for the last eight months and the Government
forces are still hunting down the Maoists in several districts
of Nepal.
Although
the Government has managed to improve the law and order situation,
the Maoists haven't been defeated yet. The Government is trying
to secure helicopters and modern weapons from the USA and UK to
fight the terrorists, and will probably receive such assistance
very soon.
The
Government is not ready to hold negotiations with the Maoists
unless they lay their weapons down; but military action alone
will not be adequate to end the Maoist movement. At this stage,
there is deadlock and the killing goes on from both sides.
Although
Kathmandu is relatively safe from all this, there are days when
we have our share of fear and tension. Yesterday a bomb went off
in a shopping complex very near to my home.
The national election to form a new parliament is scheduled for
13th November. Many people question how an election can be held
when there is a state of emergency in the country and the law
and order situation in the districts is beyond the control of
the Government. If the election cannot be held on 13th Nov. then
there is a constitutional crisis and political pundits speculate
that the power will go back to the King and a period of autocratic
rule will start again.
A large
segment of the society tend to support this move because none
of the democratic governments in the past twelve years have delivered
anything to the people. Political leaders have been mired in corruption,
looting and mis-governance. People desperately want radical changes.
Therefore,
the events of November will be very critical for the future of
Nepal.
If
the Maoist agree on a cease-fire, a peaceful and fair election
could be held and a parliament should be installed by December.
At this juncture, the future of Nepal is very dependent on how
the Maoist factor is handled by the present or next government.
The
King backed by the Army has played a very dormant role but this
could all change if the politicians are unable to hold elections
and establish a parliament.
Only
time can tell what the future holds for the Nepalese."
Dr Surya Shrestha,
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please refer to our "Donations"
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