What Anna Neistat and Sam Zarifi say in their Guest Column ('It could get worse', #291) is already too little too late. It is already a lot worse than what they depict. Our economy is in utter chaos, our politics is ruined, our rights are being abused by all: the palace, the political parties, the Maoists and our international 'f(r)iends' namely India, UK, US and UN. Why? They reinforced corruption and nepotism and authoritarianism into our country through their 'aid' and our gullible 'leaders' fell for the easy money. One thing is for sure: there will be bloodshed if the rebels can't be disarmed or if the seven party alliance can't bring the Maoists to the negotiation table.Please let us live in peace and let us prosper, this country is not an experiment lab for irrational ideologies.

Rishav Shrestha,
email

. Even though I am getting used to reading on a daily basis the sad news from home about the continued killings of our Nepali sisters and brothers the article by Shiva Gaunle ('Not knowing if they are dead or alive is killing us...' (#292) broke my heart. I simply have no words to express my deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of so called 'disappeared people'. One question has been bothering me recently is why everyone thinks it is ok if we blame both the state and the Maoists for their gross human rights violations? Shouldn't the state be more responsible towards its citizens?

G Gurung,
Switzerland

. I was dismayed to read JB Pun's reportage 'Raining bombs' (#292) about how both the RNA and the Maoists are putting civilians in harms way by targeting schools and residential areas. The distraught picture of the daughter of Ram Bahadur Gharti was heart-rending and showed the grief and sorrow this conflict is creating for children and civilians. I just wish all of us Nepalis will soon wake up from this nightmare that our nation is going through.

Dinesh Rai,
email