Poverty, deprivation, injustice, inequality, and exclusion lead to rebellion and armed revolt, but a majority of people are against violence and conflict, as the results of two recent questions in your Internet poll have shown. (#209, 210). But how do you convert the popular will into actual progress towards peace? There are many lessons from Latin America. One relevant to Nepal may be El Salvador where the conflict was brought to an end through consensus-building and a sincere implementation of the agreement between state and insurgents. The insurgents were coaxed back into the mainstream of national politics and established as a recognised leftist party. Under this settlement, the rebels surrendered their arms and their cadres were integrated into society as farmers, traders, police, and armed forces after necessary training. For over ten years, the electoral system has worked and the former rebels have emerged as the second largest political party. A parallel in Nepal would be the way our own NCP (ML) used armed struggle in the early 1970s in eastern Nepal, but later realised it wasn't getting them anywhere and came into mainstream politics. Peru, Colombia and Guatemala offer lessons as well in the costs of not finding a solution or protecting a fragile peace. In Nicaragua the insurgents defeated the government and captured state power by force. But the Sandinistas squandered their victory and lost national elections. Nonetheless, they continue to remain in the political mainstream without going back underground.
What scenario will be closest to the Nepal situation will depend on how well we plan for peace. One thing is sure: there is no military solution. It is better to realise that now before more lives are lost. The military may suppress a rebellion, but can't eliminate the rebels. The Maoists may even capture state power by force but can't retain it by the same means. If we can't resolve this, we should let the United Nations do it for us. Why the delay?

Bhanu Parajuli,
Pokhara

. I hope the Maoist leadership is following the Nepali Times Nepalnews.com Internet Poll in the past two issues. Nearly 30 percent of the respondents said they would vote for the Maoist party if it gave up arms and stood for elections, and although there was a sizeable proportion of undecideds, it showed that the political parties are way down in the ratings. Then 81 percent said the Maoists should give up violence and enter mainstream politics. You could say that internet polling does not reflect the ground reality, but the results tally quite well with scientific nationwide polls taken by Himalmedia two years ago. The lesson for the Maoists is quite clear. Most Nepalis agree with their goals, but they almost completely disagree with their methods.

Gunalal Shrestha,
Kathmandu

. Reading the statistics of the number of people killed (10,000+, #209) was shocking. Most of us know by now who are the culprits: the megalomaniacs of the Maoist movement. They are sucking our country dry even more than some of the corrupt political parties. The top Maoist leaders talk about equality and freedom, but kill anyone who doesn't agree with them or pay them extortion money. What kind of society are they trying to build? The Nepali people are disgusted with the mass murders, they want peace desperately, and are raising their unequivocal voices. Some reputed newspapers and magazines are showing their predilection towards the Maoists. We cannot deny that the security forces have also been responsible for excesses, but they have now realised they need the people's support. The press must stop castigating the security forces without investigating the matters properly. And the politicians have to stop squabbling and work together to rid the country of the menace. Someone said it right, "What you throw comes back ten folds."

And coming back to general public, they can no longer be mere bystanders. They have to understand that the state is trying to save their freedom and they have the most vital part to play in it. Peace without freedom is of no use. Most Nepalis are oblivious to Maoist's sick plan but once they penetrate through its cruel heart, they will see one mission: to establish a totalitarian regime without mercy and freedom.

Reshivaa Nakarmi,
Kathmandu