There is as of today, April 7, a de facto state of emergency in Nepal. Thousands of people have taken to the streets protesting against the government headed by King Gyanendra. Parts of the country have been declared ‘restricted areas’ and the work of security forces stepped up: a futile attempt to curb the ever-increasing protest against an utterly failed administration. The crackdown has cost the life of at least one person, and hundreds of others have been arrested. On April 5, Darshan Yadav was killed by the security forces. Meanwhile, random arrests are continuing across the country. In Kathmandu alone at least 500 are reported to have been taken into custody during the last day.
The difference between the latest protests and those earlier is that these have not been organised and promoted by a few political parties. Rather, they suggest a new outpouring of disgust in the current administration from the ordinary citizens. Even doctors and nurses have taken to protest, after one of their colleagues, Dr. Kedar Narshingh, was taken into custody and assaulted while on his way to hospital on April 6. Others professional groups that have joined the demonstrations include bank and telecommunication employees,
Within the last three years, much life has been lost in Nepal on the pretext of bringing stability to the country. The only obvious beneficiaries have been the king himself and those who have used him to further their own interests as he grabbed power.
Nepal is now again at a critical point. Many more lives could be lost–but not counted–in the coming days. While the international community has–as earlier–condemned the crackdown, nothing much has been done, either by neighbouring countries or the United Nations, to address the situation. This failure to get constructively involved effectively lends continued support to the country’s illegitimate and oppressive government.
The call for democracy by the people of Nepal is louder than ever in the past. It has crossed the Kathmandu valley and ironically it is the Maoists who have stood to their promised ceasefire, at least for the last two days, as acknowledged by the UN Secretary General. It is now beholden on the government of Nepal to respond to all parties, and most of all, to the outpouring of anguish and anger from the ordinary people. This is the only way out, other than massive bloodshed.
