King Must Speak on Truce: President Thapa

Kathmandu, September 14-Nepal Bar Association president Shambhu Thapa on Tuesday urged the King to respond to the unilateral ceasefire announcement of the Maoists and declare his plans to restore peace in the country in the light of the current developments. “As the head of state, the King must declare what he is planning in near future to restore peace,” Thapa said, adding that donor agencies were putting pressing on the NBA to monitor the ceasefire. “Both the Maoists and the government should be committed to protecting the rights of the people in these difficult times,” he said. Thapa was speaking at a talk programme ‘Ceasefire and Peace Talk’ organised by the NBA here today. He accused the government of not allowing the civil society to conduct programmes in different parts of the country.

Former NBA president Harihar Dahal, however, said the government had no authority to hold peace talks with the Maoists, as the government was itself illegitimate. “ As political parties are the legitimate forces, they should hold talks with the Maoists after the restoration of parliament,” he said. Senior advocate Shree Hari Aryal said the political parties, non-govermental organisations and NBA should monitor the ceasefire. “The Maoists should be ready to extend the cease fire to win the confidence of the people,” he added. Former Law Minister Subash Chandra Nembang urged the government to remove the tag of ‘terrorists’ and red corner notice against the Maoists in order to make favourable environment for talks. “Unless the government is ready to create a favourable environment, we cannot expect the government to restore peace,” he added.