Civil society leaders being detained at the Duwakot barrack of the Armed Police Force (APF) have demanded that the seven party alliance should go for no less than the unconditional ‘constituent assembly.’

In a joint statement issued Friday, over 20 civil society leaders being detained at Duwakot said, “With the Nepali people having rebelled against the kingship, grounds for compromise are rapidly despairing. In this context, the seven party alliance should insist on nothing less than an unconditional constituent assembly to take the country forward.”

The further said, “Together with the declaration of the constituent assembly, the Royal Nepalese Army should be converted into a ‘Nepal Army’ that remains under the command of the government to be constituted as a result of the ‘People’s Movement 2006.”

Those issuing the statement include former Justice at the Supreme Court Laxman P. Aryal, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Daman Nath Dhungana, senior human rights leader Padma Ratna Tuladhar and senior journalist Kanak Mani Dixit.

They were detained while defying the curfew orders early this month 8 in Kathmandu. nepalnews.com by Apr 21 06