Members of Parliament have demanded the government hold the next round of peace talks with the Maoists as soon as possible and promulgate an interim constitution at the earliest to hold the elections of the Constituent Assembly by mid June 2007, as decided by the ruling seven party alliance and Maoists.

Speaking at the Thursday’s session of the House of Representatives that was resumed after 21 days, lawmakers lambasted the government for being what they dubbed as a mute spectator to growing Maoist atrocities.

UML lawmaker Bharat Mohan Adhikari said the Maoists would do well not to wield weapons in public and intimidate the people at a time when peace talks was dealing the agendas on a package.

Adhikari urged the government to immediately promulgate the interim constitution to hold the election of the constituent assembly by mid June 2007, adding, “Without the promulgation of the interim constitution, elections to a Constituent Assembly cannot be held.”

He also demanded the government hold the next round of talks with the Maoists as soon as possible. “The talks should be held within next week as it is already delayed,” Adhikari said.

Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Poudel, who has just returned from a visit abroad, said the international community was expressing concern over the slow pace of the peace process in Nepal.

“They are willing to provide all sorts of assistance to Nepal in the changed political situation, and we must not miss the opportunity,” he added.

MP Hom Nath Dahal called on the Maoists to give up their “illegal activities” and urged them to settle all issues peacefully.

MPs Pari Thapa, Lilamani Pokhrel, Hari Acharya, Rajendra Mahato and Narayan Man Bijukchhe also called on the government and the Maoists to speed up the peace process.

But, Rastriya Prajatantra Party lawmaker Govinda Bahadur Shah charged that the ruling seven-party alliance was demonstrating an autocratic character even in the parliamentary system.

“It has failed to respect the other parties in the parliament and has been avoiding them in the state of affairs,” he added.

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Amik Sherchan informed the House of the deaths in several villages in Banke district following the spread of an unknown disease. He, however, said the government has no information about the spread of dengue.