Hari Roka ('Switching camps', #311) seems to be offended by the Nepal Army for no apparent reason in his op-ed you translated from Kantipur. He says 'the crimes and atrocities committed by the army is plenty'. Why does Mr Roka not mention the crimes of the 'People's Liberation Army'? The Nepal Army represents the entire country unlike the Maoist army and just follows the orders of a legitimate government. Belonging to an army family myself, I feel I have to speak up for the soldiers who are doing so much for the people without getting a word of encouragement. I won't disagree that the Nepal Army has violated human rights on several occasions but haven't the PLA always violated them? The very Maoists who have terrorised the entire country are now made heroes while the Nepal Army is the culprit. The merger of the two is out of the question.

Agya Khand,
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