Bandh politics
The first day of the Maoists’ weeklong Bandh, timed to coincide with the municipal polls, began Sunday with not so much effect in the capital.
Unlike the past Bandhs, more vehicles, both private and public ones, were seen running on the streets of Kathmandu.
Police, Armed Police Force and soldiers were mobilized in the major intersections of the valley and were performing strict stop and search on all types of vehicles in the morning.
Major market places, shopping complexes, educational institutions and business industries, however, opted to remain shut fearing reprisal from the Maoists in the days ahead.
On the eve of the strike, the valley traffic police office seized hundreds of public transportation vehicles from various parts of the Valley to force them to operate on the Bandh day.
Violence has gripped the nation since the Maoist called off their four-month long unilateral ceasefire in early January.
The country has seen at least 130 deaths as the rebels have intensified their attacks in different towns.
In the meantime, the political crisis just seems to be heading towards downward spiral as nothing concrete has been reached between the king and the seven-party alliance to resolve the problems despite mounting international pressure for reconciliation.
On Feb 1, marking the anniversary of the royal takeover, the King in his address to the nation said that the country was determined to hold elections as apart of his roadmap to democracy.
“All the Nepalese people have experienced the nation grow in confidence and the self-respect of the Nepalese people restored within a short span of one year, with the cloud of pessimism dissipating,” the King said.
The King, in his address, did not give any hint of reaching an understanding with the main opposition parties who have been fighting for democratic rights and return of people’s sovereignty.
Analysts say the king’s indifferent attitude towards the political parties have only widened the gap between the two sides.
No wonder that the king and the parties are further divided and is heading towards extreme polarization.
With all those unrests, it is the normal people who have been hit the worst. Living in a constant fear has been a way of life for Nepalese these days.
By daybase