A group of eminent citizens including drafters of the country’s constitution have called upon the government to immediately lift the month-old state of emergency and initiate process to restore popularly accountable constitutional provisions.

In a joint statement issued Wednesday, they have also demanded that the government release all the political leaders and workers detained in the aftermath of the February 1 move and initiate dialogue with all political sides without further delay.

Saying that lack of the development of democratic culture among the political parties and their leadership after 1990 was unfortunate, they said Nepalis people now are in favour of restoration of durable peace by ending the violence, murder and bloodshed being perpetrated in the name of ‘people’s war.’

Expressing concerns towards incidences like barring responsible people and other citizens from traveling within the country and abroad and not providing access to newspapers, radio etc. to those who are currently in detention, they have called for (establishment of) a humanitarian, democratic environment that would suit the 21st century.

Those issuing the joint statement including former Chief Justice Bishwo Nath Upadhyay, former Justice Laxman Aryal, former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana, former election commissioner Birendra Prasad Mishra, Mrs. Suprabha Ghimire, prof. Krishna Khanal and former Finance Minister Dr. Devendra Raj Panday.

Saying that the February 1 development was not a sudden or unprecedented move, they have alleged that efforts are going on to establish that democracy and development can’t together. “People’s aspirations for peace, development, equality and independence can be ensured by strengthening democratic process and constitutional exercise, not by uprooting them,” Kantipur daily quoted the eminent citizens as saying.