As soon as I read Samrat Rana's "The moral high ground and the rules of war" (#111) I had one thing to say: "Exactly". It is so true that the public expects the army to deliver peace but are too lazy to provide support. I'm not saying that the army have done no wrong. There are people who you have to be careful of everywhere. Unfortunately that's life but if you put yourself into their position, into their situation where Maoists who use children and women as human shields are literally on your doorstep, things might be very different.

Everyone knows that financially, the RNA is no attraction if you are interested in a job. The conditions during any operation is probably against human rights: the food is not adequate, equipment is not sufficient and when you die, no one will support your family and send your child to school. However, the soldiers fight on and that in my view makes them real heros. I find it galling that general Nepalis, especially in Kathmandu criticise the RNA and do not appreciate a soldier's sacrifice. Quite frankly they are selfish and just plain spoilt. They should be sent to the jungles to fight for the right to see their children grow up in a Nepal where there is peace.

S Gurung,
Kathmandu