Even the warning by the UNHCHR Louise Arbour doesn't seem to have changed the dastardly tactics of Maoist killing and maiming of innocent civilians, including children. I hope the ghosts of their victims will continue to haunt them until their very last breath. Their stated goal of establishing communism is nothing but, to quote Susan Sontag, 'fascism with a human face'. Rather than wait for a Darfur-like situation to develop, the international community should set up a war crimes tribunal for Nepal without further delay. They should then formally indict those who have violated human rights.

SK Shrestha,
Kathmandu

. Isn't it ironic that the day after Louise Arbour told the Maoists in no uncertain terms that one day their leaders could be dragged to the international criminal court for targeting children, 1,100 school children and teachers were abducted from various parts of the country. The Maoists are thumbing their noses at the UN, the very institution that they want to mediate in the conflict.

Gyan Subba,
email