Dedicated to Daniel Pearl

It’s really much disappointing to hear the news of accidents. After many months, this morning death of 14 passengers in a bus accident in Chitwan once again hurt me.

My heartfelt condolence to those killed in the accident.

At least 14 people were killed and 31 injured when a passenger bus veered off the road and plunged into Trishuli river of Chitwan on the Prithvi Highway, some 130 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu, on Monday night.

Policemen in Chitwan said the bus, which was heading towards Birgunj, a southeastern business city, from Kathmandu, fell some 130 meters down the highway.

The injured have been brought to Kathmandu and Bharatpur for treatment.

The injured, who are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, said majority passengers were Indian nationals.

Assistant Sub Inspector of Police Ramesh Silwal said the reason of the accident hasn’t yet been known.

He also said almost all dead bodies have been recovered. However, identity of only two passengers has been known.

Terai once again began reeling under serious crisis, as the Madheshee People’s Rights Forum (MPRF) resumed its protests from Monday. It’s so disappointing to hear that the MPRF refused to sit in a dialogue with the government stating that Home Minister hasn’t resigned yet. The MPRF had demanded the resignation of the Home Minister as a precondition for the talks. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on February 8, during his second statement to the nation, addressed all the demands raised by the Madheshee people; proportional representation, federal structure of the state and guarantee of Madheshee representation in the governance. All the Madheshee leaders; including the MPRF had welcomed the PM’s statement. But I haven’t understood why the MPRF has resumed its protests. Rumours are around and I also strongly believe that the MPRF’s demand of the Home Minister’s resignation smacks foul. Some of the NC leaders who can’t see the progress, which Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula has gained, are busy conspiring against him. Those leaders, led by PM’s daughter Sujata Koirala are backing the MPRF to seek the resignation of Sitaula. Otherwise, there is no any justification of seeking Sitaula’s resignation. The Madheshee people should understand this reality and stop attending any protests in the terai region. It’s high time all people; including Madheshee, indigenous nationalities and others nurture mutual harmony to prepare the environment for constituent assembly polls. Such protests are sure to hamper the constituent assembly polls. And once the CA poll will be deferred, the regressive forces will begin intervening the democratic process.

Read today’s editorial in The Kathmandu Post