CK Lal's latest column ( 'Let's get this thing unstuck', State of the State, #316) exhibited a xenophobia that seems to be the latest fashion among the chattering classes. His tired complaint that foreigners are 'fear-mongering' and do not have a good 'record of reading Nepali realities' begs the question: how adept at reading the tea leaves does one have to be to recognise the current tsunami of coercion, death threats, extortion and forced billetting of comrades in people's houses as dangerously regressive and unworthy of a civllised society?

Lal's grudging admission that rampant extortion perpetrated by the Maoists exists (I paid money for this flash of insight?) downplays the unprecedented scale of the problem. His outrageous assertion that many victims quietly pay to cover their previous 'misdemeanours' (as opposed to avoid being murdered) is deeply insulting to the many thousands of decent citizens facing such threats.

To top off this apologist nonsense he states that 'upright' entrepreneurs have recourse to some mythical 'complaints department' to curb those unfortunate little 'excesses' (boys will be boys). I'm sure many of your readers would appreciate publication of this magical hotline number where the extortionist-in-chief gives one a sympathetic hearing.

As a foreigner and long-time resident I have appreciated the insights your journal has provided over the years to reduce my 'confusion' concerning Nepali 'realities.'
But if I want misleading justifications of criminal activity and apologist propaganda I'll simply ask the CPN (Malignant) cadres. They are more than willing to give you an earful of their bankrupt ideology as they threaten and extort.

In a land ruled by fear I would never dare put my real name to this missive.

Erst While,
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