?The initiative taken by the leaders of industry and commerce Rabi Bhakta Shrestha and Rajesh Kaji Shrestha was commendable. It was the first time groups representing industry and commerce gathered at New Road to oppose the general strike. Still, the stores there did not open?It is a good sign that the industry and commerce sectors, which have been repeatedly subject to Maoist threats and demands for donations, have begun to stand up to terrorism. But despite these efforts, the large stores in the city did not open, while smaller storekeepers kept their shutters partially open. The well-known Nanglo on Darbar Marg, the Bakery Caf? in Basantapur, the Tara Gaon restaurant on New Road and the Kumari Restaurant on Putali Sadak were among those that were open. Besides these, many small stores and tea-stalls were open in the inner city and bylanes.

?The Maoists have severed communication with many districts. Even newspapers cannot reach districts that do not have air transport. All types of newspapers, big and small, were affected by the last general strike. Although the transport entrepreneurs said they would operate their vehicles, buses did not ply on long and short routes. The security forces had said that buses should be run in groups of 10, but that was not done.

?Government efforts alone are not adequate to make society fearless and capable of standing up to bandhs. Every citizen has to stand up for the cause. Our society is getting more individualistic and narrow-minded, we are starting to be concerned only about our family interests. Civil society and professionals issue press statements from cushy offices. Whose interests are most likely to be hurt if the terrorists who advocate dictatorial politics come into power? No one seems to be thinking about this. Why is it that the same people who talk ad nauseum about the skeletons left behind by Pol Pot are still not concerned about what is happening in our own country? Or do they believe that the Maoist terrorists are like the CPN (UML)?vegetarian communists?