Opposition parties call for decisive fight for the restoration of democracy

February 19, 2006
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Leader of Janamorcha Nepal, Lilamani Pokahrel, addressing a mass gathering organised to mark the Democracy Day at New Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Sunday. nepalnews.com/rh

Leaders of the seven party opposition alliance have warned that they are preparing for the final showdown against what they called the “autocratic regime” in the country.

Addressing a protest rally at New Baneswore on the occasion of National Democracy Day Sunday, vice president of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala alleged the King of being a major barrier towards restoring peace in the country. He also accused the royal government of prolonging violence in the country by refusing to reciprocate the four-month-long unilateral ceasefire called by the rebels last year.

Senior leader of the CPN (UML), Mrs. Sahana Pradhan, said there was no other option left than to further intensify protests against the royal regime. She called upon all to join the peaceful movement being launched by the seven party opposition alliance for the restoration of peace and democracy in the country.

Senior leader of Jana Morcha Nepal, Lilamani Pokhrel alleged that the king was not serious towards finding a democratic way out to the problems facing the country. He said out of 5,000 monarchies around the world in the past there are only 28 monarchies today out of which eight are autocratic monarchies.

The opposition leaders also denounced the killing of UML activist, Umesh Chandra Thapa, in firing by Royal Nepalese Army personnel in western district of Dang on February 8. They also demanded independent probe into the incident and compensation for the family of the victim.

Reports from around the country say opposition parties organised nationwide protests on Sunday calling for restoration of peace and democracy in the country. Police allegedly used force against peaceful demonstrators in the remote northern district of Mugu. Details are still awaited.

Meanwhile, police detained over a dozen activists affiliated to the Democratic Movement Co-ordination Committee of differently-able people in Kathmandu this afternoon as they were heading for New Baneswore to take part in the pro-democracy rally and mass meeting from Bhrikuti Mandap in their wheel-chairs.

Those arrested included Rukmangat Neupane, Bhijraj Shrestha, Dhurba Neupane, Tika Dahal and Kamala Budhathoki. They were kept at the ward police office at Singha Durbar and released later after a couple of hours.