Politics-The Peaceable kingdom

"A huge crowd of people broke several barricades set up by the police along the Ring Road and has reached Kalanki area from Maharajgunj, reports say. A journalist on the scene said the number of demonstrations could be as much as 300,000. The demonstrators are now marching along the 27-km Ring Road." Nepal News

In 2001, the population of Kathmandu was 700,000. 25 yrs ago it was 400,000, so given population increases and the Maoists uprising forcing people to escape into the city, it might be 800,000- 900,000. That means at least 1/3 of the city's population was protesting under a shoot on sight curfew!!! Wow!!! No wonder the King relinquish power.

The king took power back in Feb 2005 in an attempt to stop the civil war. An act of desperation by a man who never expected to become king. It is not so surprising that he would fail, especially as the previous government had also failed.

Now what happens? Does the blood bath get worse? Do the Maoist take over? Can the political parties actually work together this time? It is easy to unite the people against the monarchy, but can they be united for themselves, for the good of the country?

I have serious doubts about the Maoists, what they want for Nepal, and no doubt the entire world eventually, is far from democracy. As long as they see violence as a legit means to accomplish it, I can not see the situation getting any better.

From this distance, having watch the politics there over the past 26 yrs, it all seems unimaginable and so very sad.

Jaya Nepal!