Can peace return to Nepal?

Nepal's King Gyanendra has restored phone lines and internet connections a week after he took them down after taking control of the country.

The monarch swore in a new cabinet with himself as leader last week after firing the former government, saying it had failed to tackle the Maoist uprising.

The king's actions have been strongly opposed both within and outside Nepal with human rights groups calling for protests.

Do you live in Nepal? What are your experiences of the last week? What do you think of King Gyanendra's recent moves to deal with the civil war? Do you think the king can restore peace in Nepal?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Sharma Pariwar, Nepal Should the King of Nepal have acted in the way he has done by sacking the present government and declaring direct rule? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

Nepal's greatest natural resource is its wonderful people, enlightening culture and astonishing scenery. Subsistence existence is an option for some of the population, but the cornerstone of Nepal's economy is tourism. I fear the country is now in a tailspin. The worsening situation means fewer visitors to rural areas and less money distributed to those who need it most. There is a significant chance that the plight of the majority of Nepal's people will get significantly worse before it improves.
Pete Mc, Northants, UK

I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel for Nepal Roger Dodds, Sheffield, England

Apparently the telephone and internet connections have been restored but I have still had no e-mails from my friends in Nepal as yet despite me sending many. It is a tragedy for the Nepalese and for tourism there. They are wonderful people but life is so hard for them. I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel for Nepal.
Roger Dodds, Sheffield, England

From the comments here, it doesn't sound to me like the majority of Nepalese condemn this move. I myself lived in Nepal in 95/96 and know many Nepalese who support the King. Perhaps the King should hold a referendum on his actions to see what his subjects really think. I bet the results would surprise us in the democracy obsessed West. Of course with Maoists controlling vast areas of the countryside, holding any form of vote would be impossible, hence the reason for this move in the first place
Steve, UK

Peace and Economic Prosperity are the main important issues for Nepalese. The future of Nepal will be decided by Nepalese people, not by authoritarian monarch, political parties or dodgy politicians.
Manohar Pradhan, UK

It is impossible to restore peace without solving the political problems Minraj, Kathmandu

I feel very uncomfortable without democratic news and communication. This action will shorten the duration of the monarchy system. It is impossible to restore peace without solving the political problems. The king's agenda touches only social, cultural and economical problems but not political.
Minraj, Kathmandu

All hopes were down till Feb 1. After the King's action, now we, Nepalese, are seeing some ray of hope, making our country as the one that she was used to be known as. At this moment, we, Nepalese should understand the fact that King is the "leader of last resort" and if he also fails to re-establish peace in the country, then the result is - I don't have to mention. Therefore, in these circumstances, I think, we, Nepalese, including the parties, should support the King's efforts and get united to bring back peace in the country, which is our main concern right now, rather than the so called, "Democracy".
Nimesh Salike, Tokyo, Japan

The king's step recently has led the country to the dark future. The king's step is unconstitutional. The people are in fear and they cannot express their views so they are forced to keep quiet. The democracy has ended by the act of the king. He is leading Nepal to a blind future. We need international help to resolve this serious problem. The Media should be free.
Rabin Kunwar, Kathmandu, Nepal

If restoring peace is the main agenda, then everyone should support it. Political parties should give priority to peace than party benefit. But there should not be any compromise on civil liberty.
Mrigendra Basnet, London

One has to have lived in Nepal to appreciate the risk the King has taken. Most of the Nepalese public are finally allowing themselves to hope that Nepal will overcome the injustices and darkness brought on by 'democracy'. Enough is enough! I do not regard the politicians as competent even for one of the poorest nations in the world. They are a shameful example of how greed and selfishness can cause suffering of the millions of innocent, peace loving Nepalese people.
Anonymous, Nepal

The most corrupt political leaders and party workers now should learn a lesson that democracy cannot be simply misused .The people of Nepal strongly support the king's move. The corrupt leaders must be brought into justice for all the turmoil they have brought into this peaceful country.
Jackie Vaidya, Kathmandu

I have friends in Nepal and I went there last summer. King is very unpopular with relatively educated Nepalese, who understand that he's driving country to an early grave. The poverty, lack of education, medical care, the quality of accommodation is really disturbing. Maoists have a lot of support and their causes are noble. Nepal needs serious international involvement, or there will be a civil war.
Julia, London, UK

All Nepalese are looking for some kind of change that can bring something positive to our lives Anita Regmi Upadhyaya, Kathmandu

At this moment it is not clear to any of the Nepalese whether the King's step is good or not. We were living in the static phase while talking about peace and development. All Nepalese are looking for some kind of change that can bring something positive to our lives. So this change can be viewed as a way out towards the way of peace. This is definitely the period of biggest crisis.
Anita Regmi Upadhyaya, Golfutar, Kathmandu

Though I am far away from Nepal, my mind is always there thinking about safety of my parents and dear ones. Every time I visit there, situation has been deteriorating day after day. There has to be an end to everything. I am positive King Gyanendra's step will promise a better future for all Nepali people. Democracy is important in the 21st century but when it fails to abide by its principle, certain rights have to be curbed for a better tomorrow. And I hope for a better future for my country Nepal.
Pravesh Saria, USA

Let's see if our King can get peace in the country as he said that it is better than democracy with violence
Kundan Ghimire, Toronto, Canada

Democracy cannot work in a poverty stricken country where the majority of the population are illiterate. Honestly, the country was so much better before the monarch rule fell in 1990. Nepal has never been anything like that since then. Democracy or Demo gone crazy that brought the idea of democracy being established in Nepal. I wonder if the political parties even considered if democracy would actually work in the first place before bringing down the monarch rule. I hope peace will return like it was before 1990. At least I could walk at nigh in Boudha without being harassed by cops.
Sonam, Salt Lake City, USA

So much talk about democracy in Nepal, but how do people establish and maintain a democratic state? Ask the numerous out of touch and withering Nepalese politicians or why not just ask the king? I guarantee 95% don't know what they are talking about. We can get worked up over the recent events, but as Nepalese, we know we have seen this in the past and expect more of the same in the future. So don't be shocked, its the Nepalese way.
Aditya Bhattarai, Chapel Hill, NC USA

I will keep myself anonymous but let me say this: Let's give Gyanendra a chance. Where politicians failed he will succeed. Nepal wants peace. Democracy can work in an affluent and literate society. Let Gyanendra get democracy on track.
Anonymous

It is a simple question. The king arrested the political leaders for being incompetent but who will arrest the king if he turns out to be incompetent? I don't know about democracy but Nepal definitely needs checks and balances. Free the media!
Thomas Virughese, USA/Nepal

To be optimistic is an opportunity which the Nepalese unfortunately have lost Subrath Shrestha, Connecticut

The king's recent move o course marks the infamous coup. Some say he deserves a chance, and to give him three years to restore peace in the nation. What logic and how smart of people to justify it. The political leaders never once educated the civilians about democracy. They were rather involved with their own issues and selfish attitudes.

The Maoist killed the democracy, and the politicians dug a grave for it, and the king buried the democracy of Nepal. All are equally blamed. No-one deserves an excuse. I am sceptic about Nepal's future. To be optimistic is an opportunity which the Nepalese unfortunately have lost. The only key I see is a miracle of God.
Subrath Shrestha, Connecticut, US

I am an attorney and I practice law in New York City. I sincerely hope that peace returns to Nepal, the country I love most. I am not an advocate of absolute monarchy, but I honestly believe today, in conditionally supporting the king, if we want to find a solution to the Maoist crisis. It would be wrong to cry foul, when we all know that there was no democracy or human rights in Nepal to begin with. Nepal was already under the siege of the Maoists and the political leaders lusting for power.

Most of the Nepalese politicians had abandoned their villages, and had found a way to live peacefully in Kathmandu, the only safe place in Nepal. These politicians only talked ideology and awaited their turn to form the next government. The royal takeover has shattered their hopes, but not the hopes and aspirations of an ordinary Nepali, who are now hopeful about the possibility of peace and the restoration of democracy in Nepal.
Galab B Dhungana, New York, USA

While democracy is important and necessary, I consider it as a necessary evil in certain countries. Democracy requires a strong infrastructure. I am optimistic that the people of Nepal will have better future from now.
Gouti, Dayton, USA

I am positive about the royal move. Life is normal and many people believe the king can restore peace and bring development
Aniruddha Prasad, Siddhartha Nagar

If King Gyanendra can able to peace talk with Maoists and solve all the problems of the Nepalese people then we think he will be able to be a king. If not though the Nepali people can't live with him...
Alok Dhakal, Kathmandu, Nepal

What has happened in Nepal is the very worst in its history. As in the past, King Gyanendra has repeated his father's action, 45 years ago. I hope we Nepalese will get freedom soon and I hope King Gyanendra can give justice and find a place in his heart for the grief of total Nepalese.
Chintan, Kathmandu, Nepal

This is absolute nonsense by the king in this day and age Niraj, Toronto, Canada

This is absolute nonsense by the king in this day and age. I feel there is no other alternative to multiparty democracy, and autocratic rule in not an option. I also feel that all the political parties have to forget their difference and come against the king in a massive way.
Niraj, Toronto, Canada

I'm 60-years-old and I have seen the political changes in Nepal for a long time. All I would say is this: Nepal was much much much better and peaceful before 1990.
Ramesh Pandey, Pokhara, Nepal

At first, I thought the recent move by the king is the best thing that could have happened to Nepal and the Nepalese. However, now as I hear everyday of the police brutality, suspension of freedom of speech and other basic human rights violation by the government, I am deeply troubled by the whole situation. It feels like we may have just replaced a bad system with a worse one.
Ashish Pokharel, Omaha, USA

Democracy in Nepal? Did we have one? I am 100% positive that there are thousands of other Nepalese like me who are happy that something finally is being done in Nepal. The king finally has the courage to put a stop to all the unbelievable happenings in Nepal. I hope he will succeed, and I wish him good luck. Politically he may have taken a wrong action, but so long as he can bring in law and order in Nepal, which we haven't had for the last ten years, then for me he has taken the right step.
Deb, Germany

Let's give the king a chance Bhaskar KC, Nepal

The international media is portraying the situation in Nepal in a seriously negative and some times in a down right false manner. I am a working man, I pay my taxes, and it irritates me when the roads are blocked during the numerous staged political protests. The majority of these protestors are paid for their involvement. What about my right to freedom of movement? I am happy here, my family and friends are happy - finally I have some hope. That hope has come from our king. Yes a few civil liberties are controlled - but I am willing to give them up for the betterment of the nation. Let's give the king a chance - after all he has the most at stake - the crown.
Bhaskar KC, Nepal

Recent changes in Nepal have made me think if the king is ever going to understand what the people really want. We want democracy, peace and our basic rights. He thinks that using the card of Maoists terrorists and corruption he can rule as an absolute monarch, but that is not true. Times have changed, people are aware and are not going to settle for anything less.
Bhumika, USA/Nepal

I am a Nepali citizen who supports King Gyanendra's move without any "grave concerns." While the world cries foul about democracy, it fails to acknowledge democracy in Nepal brought uncontrolled corruption, greedy politicians, and deaths in the thousands at the hands of Maoists. Go to rural Nepal and tell them they just lost their democracy! Go to shopkeepers in Kathmandu that have been helplessly caught in between the cross-fires of greed and corruption of Nepali politicians and tell them they have just lost their democracy. The list goes on. I dare you, world! Keep your democracy to yourself.
Amit, Nepal

Political developments indicates that there will soon be bigger war between king's army and Maoist rebels. Please let's us discuss how the international community can ensure the human right situation in Nepal and what part the governments all around the world could play, so that innocent people aren't killed in a conflict and the human rights of ordinary Nepalese are respected.
Sachin, Nepal

We live in reality in Nepal and we are happy that it's slowly changing Pradeep Sharma, UK

Having lived in Nepal all my life and having seen all the good times of peace and bad times of violence soon after the arrival of much-desired democracy, I can safely say that democracy never brought happiness. Neither did exercising the freedom of speech bring progress.

The international media, while commenting about democracy, forgets that Nepal is an under-developed country which requires food more than freedom of speech. It requires poverty elimination rather than free choice of parliamentary bodies.

It's high time that the advanced international community understand what works here might not work there. It's also high time to realise that making assumptions from thousands of miles off doesn't give assumption a reality. We live in reality in Nepal and we are happy that it's slowly changing. Hopefully, for the better.
Pradeep Sharma, UK

Dear President Bush, I'm so happy to hear you are going to fight for democracy in the world! This is good news! When are you going to invade Nepal? Oh, yes, sorry, I forgot - you already have military advisors in Nepal - training the Nepalese military.
John Gilmore, Canada

Absolute monarchy is not an answer to the problems in Nepal Mary McCannon, Hungary

Absolute monarchy is not an answer to the problems in Nepal, especially not at the beginning of the 21st century when it has a strong resemblance with dictatorship. After the royal massacre back in 2001, seemingly the new king cannot fit into his role. As long as the king cannot find the right tune with the political parties enabling co-operation leading to a functioning government, all his efforts are favours for the Maoists.
Mary McCannon, Budapest, Hungary

The international community has been too quick to criticise last week's move by the king. But what they overlook is the fact that the model of democracy that they so often like to preach about has failed Nepal miserably for the last decade. The government has been crippled by squabbling, corrupt and inept politicians of all factions who have undoubtedly worsened the ever increasing problems of the Maoist insurgency. This extreme step by our monarch provides thousands of desperate Nepalese with a glimmer of hope. Given a choice between an impotent and corrupt government under the umbrella of democracy and our king, the international community will be surprised to find that a lot of us are actually with our monarch.
S Pandey, Bristol

Now the monarchy system is going to end. Soon we can see a republican Nepal.
Shyam, Kathmandu

My opinion on this issue is very clear, and in one word, the king's action is undemocratic, which grossly violates basic human rights. Leaving aside the intentions of the king and social crimes committed by self-oriented white colour criminals, who were known as leaders of Democratic political parties of Nepal, we should now only focus on paramount issues of life, liberty and freedom called democracy. I condemn the procedure adopted to assume the power. The way fundamental rights of the citizens have been curtailed can never be justified.

I believe, every single Nepali must have been thinking "something must be done" or "something will happen" in Nepal. That anticipation was obvious given the critical circumstances of Nepal. However, what we are witnessing now is beyond anyone's imagination, not to mention anticipation. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Autocracy cannot rule the nation for long. In sum, I would ask all concerned Nepali to voice for restoration of democracy rather than blaming each other or picking up evil actions of each in the past. We should be careful that no neighbouring countries take benefit of it. We should emphasize first of all nation then democracy. Let's join hands on hands and fight for democracy!
Ramesh Pandey, Kavre, Nepal