Nepalgunj, Jan. 20: Nepali Congress general secretary Sushil Koirala has said that while the increase in the incidence of terrorism and violence does not bode well for the country, there is a need for public effort in addition to governmental efforts for addressing the problem.
Speaking at a press meet organised by the Nepal Press Union (npu) Banke district chapter here today, general secretary Koirala said that both the government and the Nepali Congress have called for a dialogue with those involved in the so-called “people’s war” launched in the name of Maoists.
He expressed the view that a strong approach and action is needed to resolve the problem since they (the Maoists) have not given up violence and terrorism despite various incentive measures taken by the government under the Ganeshman Singh Peace Campaign.
Mr. Koirala said that nobody raised the issue of human rights violation when so many Nepali Congress workers were being killed by the terrorists but the issue of rights violation is raised only when terrorists are killed during police encounters.
This is prejudice and a wrong approach, he remarked.
On the release of Deb Gurung, a top-level Maoist ideologue released recently by the government, he said those involved in killings and terrorist acts should not be freed.
Stating that he had just undertaken a visit to Rukum district, general secretary Koirala said he felt after his visit was that the people of the district were looking to the leadership to rid themselves of the atmosphere of fear and violence.
He said he would reschedule his programme and once again visit the districts affected by the so-called people’s war as this, he believed, would help free the people from the environment of violence and terror.
Deterioration in the law and order situation would invite political instability and this, in turn, breeds corruption, nc general secretary Koirala observed.
The Nepali Congress, while working for the preservation of the ideals, norms and values of democracy has also been striving for its institutional development, general secretary Koirala said, pointing out that the press also had an important responsibility in this task.
Mr. Koirala also expressed commitment to make every effort to resolve the problem of inundation in seven or eight vdcs in the district bordering India which were submerged during the summer due to the construction of the Laxmanpur barrage in India.
He said that he had already held talks with the Prime Minister, the Minister for Water Resources, the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Indian Ambassador regarding the inundation problem.
Regarding a question about the cabinet reshuffle, he said, “This is the Prime Minister’s prerogative. I have no comments on it.”
There are internal disputes in the Nepali Congress, this is one of the characteristics of a democratic party, and the talks on change of leadership of the parliamentary party are also not unusual. But the Nepali Congress won’t split, Mr. Koirala said.
Nepal Press Union Banke district branch member Sarad k.c. delivered the opening remarks at the press meet presided over by npu banke district chapter president Rajendra Singh Rathour.