RSS

Nepalis have never felt as insecure as they do right now. Kidnapping has become an easy way to make money. Businessmen and school-children are easy prey.

The attempt to abduct Menaka Piya of Sauradeep School in broad daylight and then the abduction and subsequent killing of Khyati Shrestha have left a deep impact on the Nepali psyche. Kathmandu was relatively safe, not anymore. And yet the Home Ministry is doing nothing about punishment and prevention. This encourages impunity.

On Friday, there were three attempts of kidnapping in Thecho, Galkopakha and Thapathali, averted by the vigilance of locals. There are many other cases that go unreported because families are warned not to go to the police.

The police say that the criminals are politically protected. That may be true, but they should not use it to hide their incompetence. If there is pressure from political parties, shouldn't that be made public? Bhim Rawal, the new Home Minister, and his predecessors had all given directions to maintain law and order to the police. Political parties must make a collective commitment to give the police full authority to tackle crime.