Kathmandu, February 26:

Rights activists and members of civil society have urged the government to create an environment conducive to holding dialogue to give an outlet to the “current political stalemate”.

Speaking at a press meet today, 41 rights activists and members of the civil society asked the government and agitating parties to rise above ethnic, regional and communal bias.

They urged the agitating parties, including the MJF, to permanently end the present state of uncertainty through talks and consensus.Padma Ratna Tuladhar, a rights defender, said the government should make a move to create a conducive environment for talks. “The government should respond to the voice of the people and should make honest efforts to address each of them.” Another rights activist Charan Prasai cautioned the agitating parties not to drift away from the point they have been making.

“We strongly condemn all kinds of violent activities that can swerve the direction of the movement,” he said. They demanded that a high-level commission be formed to probe into incidents of rights violations and the guilty punished.

Rights activists to monitor bandh

KATHMANDU: To ensure peace and security during the bandh called by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities on 28th of February, Human Rights of Indigenous People’s Concern Centre (HURINPECC) has decided to monitor human rights situation in the valley on the day. Issuing a press release here on Monday, the HURINPECC ensured security offices, agitators and all concerned that the “bandh will be properly monitored.” The NEFIN has called the bandh, saying that the interim constitution has failed to address their demands and rights.— HNS