BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 10:Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today said that the ongoing move taken against the Maoist terrorists would continue till they lay down their arms or defeated completely.

“The government was compelled to declare the state of emergency to check the terrorist activities of the Maoists as they started attacking on security personnel and disturbed the social life by looting the banks and killing innocent people in the name of so called ‘people’s action’,” Premier Deuba said.

He further maintained that the state of emergency was only against the terrorists and those who help them continue the act of terror. He also expressed the view that the government was alert against the misuse of the state of emergency. “If some difficulties emerge, His Majesty’s Government will announce some measures to avoid them. Such provisions are enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.

“The step has been taken as per understanding and consensus of all opposition political parties,” the Prime Minister said.

“Having understood the compelling actions of the government against the Maoist terrorists, the press and friendly countries have extended necessary support and cooperation to the government. I would like to extend gratitude to them on behalf of His Majesty’s Government,” he said.

The Prime Minister was expressing such views while inaugurating a one-day workshop on “Role and Responsibility

of Media People in the Present Context organised by National Union of Journalists here today.

Prime Minister Deuba further said that the government would be transparent about the present actions against the Maoist terrorists. He expressed the belief that the state of emergency will be useful even for maintaining fiscal discipline, enhancing efficiency of employees and curbing corruption at the political level.

Recalling the past efforts made by him and the government to settle the Maoist problem through dialogue, he said that he had to face criticism from different quarters for giving too much priority to the Maoist terrorists.

Addressing the function, Sushil Koirala, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, said that the activities of the Maoists were guided to end the democratic setup in the country.

“Such conspiracies were hatched even after gaining democracy in 2007 B. S.,” he, said adding that the NC was committed to fighting against such bloody moves”.

He also said that NC has alerted the government against any possible misuse of the state of emergency.

Realising that some weaknesses and aberrations have taken place in the country after the restoration of the multiparty democracy in the country, he said that initiatives have to be taken immediately to correct them.

P. Sharma Oli, leader of the CPN-UML, said that the Maoists chose virtually wrong path and started to carry out irresponsible activities.

“The doors were open for them to come to power. But they tried to usher power without getting support from people,” Oli said.

Meanwhile, he expressed concerns over the suspension of some constitutional rights of the people for controlling the Maoist activities.

“The government has to shorten the state of emergency as soon as possible as it has curtailed the people’s rights,” he said.

He also asked the government to come up with economic development and reform programmes besides beefing up security measures.

Pashupati Shumshere JB Rana, General Secretary of Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), said that the government’s move to step up security measures was an important effort to maintain law and order situation in the country.

“The government has also to make economic reforms and correct political process along with improving security situation,” Rana seconded Oli.

He further stated that his party had told the government to adopt constitutional measures to control the terrorist activities in the country. He also appreciated the roles played by the media during the state of emergency.

He emphasised the need to generate awareness among the general public about the state of emergency through the state-owned radio and TV channel.

Bam Dev Gautam, General Secretary of CPN (ML), said the activities of the Maoists will not help establish neither socialism nor people’s republic in the country.

“The present situation has been created after the Maoists broke the cease-fire unilaterally and started attacking on the army barracks and police posts,” Gautam said.

He further asked the government to lift the state of emergency at the earliest to safeguard the people’s rights.

Chaired by Tej Prakash Pandit, President of National Union of Journalists, Nepal Press Council Chairman Harihar Birahi, President of Editors’ Society Nepal Govind Biyogi, Nepal Press Union President Kul Chandra Wagle, among others, also expressed their views at the function.

Senior journalist Gokul Pokharel presented a paper on the role and responsibility of press in the present context.