It was ironic to read Bijen Jonchhe's 'Ironies abound' (#252) because the writer ironically found more ironies surrounding the political parties than the current government. He miserably failed to express the more pertinent ironies facing our society these days, about the state repeating the rhetoric of democracy and constitution while continuously keeping politicians, journalists and human rights activists in prison without formal charges. He also failed to mention the irony about the establishment of the RCCC while a similar body CIAA is in existence. I can understand the omission of yet another irony about the government harping on anti-corruption agenda while one of its own leaders is reportedly blacklisted for not paying the loan he 'forgot' he took.

Sunil Sharma,
Teku

. Rather than being the capital of a friendly neighbour, New Delhi has become a pilgrimage destination for most Nepali political leaders, even terrorists ('Comrades in Delhi', #251). Everyone gets a pat on their back from their masters. Koirala's visit was of a similar nature despite it being named a 'medical visit'. Looks like he spent more time paying homage to his masters than in hospital. From Delhi he gained enough support for his seven-party alliance, also possibly with the Maoists, to strengthen their movement in making Nepal a democratic nation. He fails to understand that it was his inter/intra party politics, negligence and bad governance that led to failed democracy in Nepal. He should be concentrating on correcting himself rather than on building alliances. Having been PM a number of times in the last seven years, he is more responsible than others for the nation's ill fate today and the rise of the Maoists, a major setback in Nepal's history. At the same time, how can a terrorist organisation support a democratic movement in Nepal? At 86, Girija Prasad Koirala should finally grow up.

P Saria,
email

. It is amusing that Dipta Shah thinks he ought to be alarmed about India's actions against its own security interest ('Outside, looking in', #251). If it is one thing that New Delhi knows really well, it is how to protect its own interests and that is what drives India's participation in Nepal's insurgency crisis. This means only two things for Nepal: Delhi's interest is in unarming the Maoists with or without democracy and that it will do so with or without the king (therefore the perceived 'ambiguity'). To attribute EU's 'luxury of maintaining a position that ignores South Asia' to its distance is a rather weak argument and to be fair, one that is equally applicable to the US. Whatever EU's motives may be, perhaps Dipta should catch up on various ways the EU is shaping the world as we know it (including environment laws that would give US exports a severe blow) in order to understand fully why its position differs greatly from the US.

Sarahana Shrestha,
email

. Villagers in some parts of Nepal are being armed to fight the Maoists but the army spokesman denies the army's involvement. ('Talking without understanding', #251). So who is? And if the villagers are getting arms themselves, then isn't that illegal? Are these villagers being armed by landlords or warlords? Either way, the result will be anarchy. This is a serious mistake that will lead to looting and indiscriminate killings. The Maoists were allowed to grow beyond control, now this.
Dinesh Rai,
Naxal

. The fact that the authorities find it acceptable to shut off roads of the capital for the king's arrival home yet again demonstrates their utter contempt for the welfare of the country's subjects. Tens of thousands of commuters are stuck in monster traffic jams at rush hour breathing in foul exhaust fumes with hardly a policeman in sight. Why not take a helicopter to the palace? I suppose it is too much to expect Nepal's rulers to care for anything other than their self-interest. Yours anonymously for fear of being booted out of the country.

A concerned expat

. The government and Maoists are both playing foul. Despite their assertions ('We are not terrorists', #251) the Maoists are creating more victims and the government has abdicated its role in taking care of them. Stop this nonsense at once, stop punishing the people for your power games. Otherwise we'll give you both red cards.

Deepak Sapkota,
Patan