Kathmandu, May 5:

The indigenous peoples may from a political front and launch an armed conflict if the political parties fail to incorporate their demands while opting for the formation of a constituent assembly, sociologist Dr Krishna Bhattachan said at a seminar on Constituent Assembly (CA) and Janajati Issues, held here today. The Human Rights and Indigenous People Concern Centre held the seminar.

“The indigenous peoples are demanding the right to self-determination,”Dr Bhattachan said. Shankar Pokharel of the CPN-UML said the election to the CA should be held by incorporating members of all ethnic communities.

Former speaker Daman Nath Dhungana said a separate body should be formed to ensure the inclusion of geographic, women, Dalit and indigenous representatives. Terming the government statistics, which says 37 per cent of the total population comprises of indigenous people, flawed, rights activist Malla K Sunder said each community should have a seat in the CA.