Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 20:

Minister of Local Development Krishna Gopal Shrestha said today that the government could ratify the ILO Convention 169 on the indigenous issues with the special cabinet decision.

Shrestha was addressing the concluding ceremony of a two-day National Dialogue on Promotion of ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal People and Peace-building in Nepal. Presenting his paper on “The link between social exclusion and the Maoist conflict” Dr Harka Gurung of New Era said the social exclusion was identified as the root cause of the Maoist problem by donor agencies. He said the Maoists insurgency and the killings of the people are more intense in the areas where the Integrated Rural Development Programmes are on. “Interestingly, Manang and Mustang are the only unaffected districts where no donor agencies have reached.”

Dr Shankar Sharma, NPC vice-president, stressed the need to intensify development works as preparation for the peace talks. The participating indigenous people had poured their anger at government officials, including NC (D)’s Minendra Rijal and others from the Brahmin or Chhetri communities, representing government.