Gaaunle and Baibhav: Yours are some of the best write ups I have read in a while regarding this situation. Thank you for your clarity of thought. How can Nepal in this day and age live in a Vacuum? How can anyone justify the murder of freedom of speech and intellectual freedom? Yes, the king is the lesser of the two evils but proclaiming a "no freedom" policy does not rectify the damage done, rather it germinates further distrust. Silence imposed through fear is no PEACE. I fear for the personal safety of the people(those unable to suffer in silence) who might express their grievances against the crown. I fear for the old and poor people who depend upon their sons and daughters abroad for their livelihood. I pray this lockdown of a whole Nation does not continue.