Netra Bikram Chand has given us only terrors. His cadres are involved in extortion, they abduct elected representatives at local levels and they bomb infrastructure. Only a month ago, four of his own cadres were killed in the explosion that they had targeted at the general public. There is a state of panic and fear among schools and college operators. His cadres storm the gates of private schools and colleges and demand donations in thousands—even millions—which, when the school management authorities decline to offer (most schools simply do not have the resources to provide such huge amount of money), they threaten harm. They do not fear law. If some of their cadres are arrested they declare protests and strikes and completely disrupt mobility. It seems like Netra Bikram Chand’s terror regime is consolidating. It is therefore imperative for media, civil society, general public and government to stand united against terror tactics of Chand and persuade them to come to the negotiating table.
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On Tuesday, Chand tried to bring the entire country to a standstill. Almost all of the schools and colleges in the country remained closed (again because of fear). In a number of places, his cadres have planted bombs and explosives. In places like Ramechhap, there have been reports of explosion. In Nuwakot, they planted a bomb at the house of mayor of Bidur Municipality. Chand and his cadres are continuing with terror politics because the government is not seen to do enough homework to negotiate with Chand outfit nor has it been able to tame the violent activities by using force. The government needs to use all its intelligence to start talks with Chand. It should be easy now because a number of ruling Nepali Communist Party members and even ministers were close to Chand during the conflict. They must know what can bring Chand around.
It is equally important for us all to oppose Chand’s terror tactics, without any ifs and buts. Disturbingly, parties seem to be playing politics on Chand’s violence as well. It is getting late to build a common stand on how to deal with Chand. While the government must continue efforts for dialogue (while also taking police action against those found setting infrastructure on fire or killing people), media, civil society and political parties also need to come together to pressure this violent outfit to come to the talks. Only when all political parties stand united and denounce violence unanimously, will Chand, perhaps, come to the senses. Netra Bikram Chand is doing the politics of blood, violence and extortion. It may seem to Chand that he is gaining public support as mere announcement of strikes by his outfit brings the country to a standstill. He should be proven wrong. In fact, people shut down schools, or less public vehicles run on the streets all because they fear killing and violence—which Chand’s cadres have been unleashing these days. In truth, nobody approves of Chand’s politics of terror. Chand should behave like a leader of a political party. He is on the wrong path of politics. He should give it up.
