KATHMANDU: Lawyers today urged the Constituent Assembly (CA) members and the political parties to promulgate the new constitution on the specified time and as per the mandate of the Interim Constitution.

They have also warned that the failure to do so would invite disaster for the nation. Tika Ram Bhattarai, chairman, Constitutional Lawyers' Forum said, "The Constitution should be promulgated along with the completion of all required processes of the ongoing peace process."

He added, "The process of integration of Maoists combatants and their rehabilitation should also be completed in time."

Likewise, Advocate Yadu Nath Khanal said the promulgation of the constitution was pertinent to institutionalise the rule of law and human rights in the country.

"We cannot excuse ourselves for not promulgating the constitution if the political leadership failed to accomplish the task," he added.

The lawyers made such comments at an annual general meeting of Nepal Bar Association held today. The newly elected executive body of NBA led by advocate Prem Bahadur Khadka took charge of office representing 83 Nepal Bar Association branches and some 10,000 lawyers across the nation.

While handing over the charge of the office, outgoing chairman Bishwo Kanta Mainali urged the lawyers to help institutionalise the changed political system and to press the Constituent Assembly to promulgate the new constitution within the stipulated time.

Advocate Govinda Sharma Bandi suggested that the NBA should regularly monitor human rights situation and rule of law in the country.

However, the lawyers expressed dissatisfaction over the induction of a phrase 'people's war' in the report of NBA General Secretary.

The issue was settled after forming a five-member panel of lawyers to look into whether or not to go with the usage of the word in the report.

The panel comprises advocates Hari Prasad Uprety, Mukunda Paudel, Raman Kumar Shrestha and two other members from the newly elected executive committee of the Nepal Bar Association.