KATHMANDU: Dharahara, Kathmandu's nine-storey sky-splitting tower in the heart of the city, today received its bridal decoration to mark the third-anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

Rakam Chemjong, Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, unfurled a 'peace quilt' from the balcony of the tower on the ninth-floor, evoking loud applause from the spectators.

The programme with the theme: 'Lamp Ceremony and Unfurling the Peace Quilt' was organised by the Association of International NGOs in Nepal as a plea to the coalition to take the ongoing peace process to a pragmatic end.

People representing over 60 districts had scribbled their messages on the cotton quilt calling on the political parties to stick to the CPA and restore peace in the country.

CPA, which was signed between the then government and the CPN- Maoists on 21 November 2006, marks an end to the 10-year-long armed conflict in Nepal and heralds a new beginning by overthrowing the monarchy.

Addressing the function today, Minister Chemjong remarked that the quilt-rolling from atop the historic Dharahara was a reminder of the peace accord signed three years ago.

Acknowledging that the peace process was traversing along a bumpy road, Minister Chemjong said, "The government will leave no stone unturned to remove those obstacles so as to bring the peace process to its logical end."

Chemjong also appealed to all the people to stand united against all the obstacles facing the smooth transition of the fledgling peace process.

"Do not be panicked with ups and downs in political development. Peace process is on the track, albeit moving at a snail's pace," he reassured.

Maoists not honoring CPA: Dr Mahat

KATHMANDU: Dr Prakash Saran Mahat, Minister for Energy, on Friday alleged that the Unified CPN-Maoist was not abiding by its commitment to peace process.

Speaking at a programme to mark the third anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) here on Friday, Dr Mahat accused the former rebels of not adhering to the CPA, seriously.

Dr Mahat said that the Maoists were good at making high-sounding speeches just to attract the audiences without considering the practicality of such speeches.

"Until there is a balance between what they say and what they actually do, people will not believe them,” he said, urging the Maoists to abide by the CPA.

Minister Mahat also underscored the need to properly manage the Maoist combatants in the cantonments.

Speaking on the same occasion, student leaders said seriousness on the part of the political parties was lacking.

Student leaders said instead of peace, which was the top priority of Nepali people; political parties were busy in power-sharing.

They were speaking at a programme in the capital jointly organised by Prosperous Nepal Organisation, Management Students' Association of Nepal and Creative Development Programme Nepal. The programme was organised to celebrate the third anniversary of CPA signed between the Nepal Government and the Maoists. — HNS

‘Integration of combatants a must'

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula on Friday said that political parties should give high priority to the integration and rehabilitation of UCPN-Maoist combatants, to lead the peace process to a logical end.

Speaking at an interaction in the capital, Sitaula claimed that Maoist-led government and the present CPN-UML-led coalition had failed to take any concrete step towards that end. “However, many positive changes have taken place but that was just not sufficient to lead the peace process to a logical end,” he said. He further added," It is already late but not too late for an outstanding step to boost the peace process.”

Meanwhile UCPN-Maoist leader Janardhan Sharma 'Prabhakar' said interpretation of CPA as per the convenience of political parties was the main problem that was hindering the peace process. However, Minister for peace and Reconstruction Rakam Chemjong claimed that the peace process was on the right path and not been derailed. — HNS