I am astonished by the immaturity and lack of understanding the current political leaders are showing. They are damning the morale of the Nepal Army by forcing them to disarm without making the Maoists disarm as well. Who will protect the army if peace talks fail? The Maoists are an illegal force and should be asked to disarm. Our only protection from the Maoists is the Nepal Army so we cannot afford to demoralise them and lose their support.

Abhisek Bhandari,
email

. Although the way the government's letter to UN was sent raises suspicions in the minds of the Maoists, all is not lost. There were statements of confessions and admissions from the seven party alliance and similar heartening expressions from the Maoists. Fortunately there doesn't seem to be danger of negotiations breaking down. May the leaders be sincere and serious about creating a new lokatantrik Nepal based on equality and justice. The royals may join in the creation. If the royals make their property public and start investing in Nepal, imagine the difference it would make to the lifestyle of Nepalis.

Ishwari Pradhan,
email

. There will be no permanent peace unless the Maoists disarm or decommission their weapons. It is not viable to retain arms and pursue peace; they can't keep a foot in each boat. If Maoists have any trace of a democratic credential, they have to purse a peace deal with utmost sincerity. There can be no two ways to break this stalemate, and nation is not going to wait forever to settle this deadlock. Either the parties or the Maoists take the nation towards peace and democracy, or the people of this nation, who have suffered 10 years of abuse, will look for different avenues. The government has to make a formal commitment to the people and the international community, stating that the Maoists will be brought into the mainstream and that there will be rehabilitation of all who joined the Maoists by securing them jobs. What is the point of holding constitutional assembly elections if the Maoists won't honour the verdict of people and go back to the activities which they are best at? The wanton remarks by Maoist leaders will be counterproductive to the peace process. They have to show much more maturity and sincerity than they have so far.

Pratt Rana,
email

. If the finances of the monarch and the activities of the ministers of the royal regime are scrutinised in detail wouldn't it also be fair to look into the finances of the Maoists and where they get their money from? How about looking at Prachanda's assets and activities while he was living in India? While politicians and self-styled student leaders scream for a republic, it is time for the citizens of Nepal to ask who is really going to benefit from a republic? Basically, the answer is easy: the main benefactors will be the same politicians and agitators who scream the loudest.

G Lars,
email

. I have been watching the activities of the high level commission investigating alleged excesses during Janaandolan-2 with very keen interest. Initially I had no prejudices against the commissioners but they seem to be resorting to investigative excesses. The members have forgotten that they need to be apolitical investigators, operating in the shadows away from media glamour. Also, just look at those summoned left, right and centre to depose before the commission. From the Acting IGP to the ex-Speaker of the HoR to the ex-CJ, nobody is spared. Should the commission now call KP Bhattarai, Marichman Singh, Surya Bahadur Thapa, Lokendra Bahadur Chand and Pashupati Shumsher to find out what they talked to the king about before his final speech? It must also then dare to summon India's emissary Karna Singh, and why leave out Moriarty and the EU diplomats, who pressured SPA leaders to accept the king's first offer. Let's now bring the tainted king to book instead of putting him under a barrage of humiliation. Enough is enough, commissioners. Don't serve your political masters in order to earn prestigious future appointments. Wind up and submit your report. And let us Nepalis close this ugly chapter of our history with a 'censure motion' against the unpopular royal regime.

Pradeepta Sharma,
Mumbai