Kathmandu, April 21:

Family members of people who were martyred during the Jana Andolan II have called on leaders of political parties to conduct constituent assembly elections within the stipulated time. Leaders will be held responsible if they fail to conduct constituent assembly polls on time, they said.

“Leaders have not yet understood martyrs’ aspirations,” Prabha Khadka, widow of martyr Pradhyumna Khadka, said at a function organised by the Reporters’ Club today. “The government has not taken action against those who suppressed the people during the people’s movement.”

Stating that people are calling on the government to make public the Rayamajhi Commission report, she questioned, “Who is preventing the government from making the commission report public? Who is more powerful than the people?”

“Felicitations alone won’t fulfil the dreams of martyrs. All those who suppressed people during the movement must be punished. Departed souls will find peace only if the constituent assembly polls are held on time.”

Expressing concern about the present situation of the country, Maya Kumari Lama, widow of martyr Anil Lama, said, “”Martyrs sacrificed their lives to bring lasting peace. They sacrificed themselves to put an end to general strikes and other forms of violent protest programmes.”

Widow of martyr Chandra Bayalkoti, Kalpana, said martyrs’ departed souls will curse the leaders if they fail to conduct the CA polls on time.

“We will stage protests in front of the Singha Durbar if the government fails to conduct CA polls on time. We are ready to die like our near and dear ones,” she said.

Bayalkoti accused the government of not providing compensation to the families of martyrs.

Younger brother of martyr Dipak Biswokarma, Rajendra Gazmer, accused the government of not respecting the martyrs.

Martyrs sacrificed their lives for the establishment of a democratic republic and the abolition of the monarchy, he said, adding, “Leaders are conspiring against CA polls. Time has come for Nepalis to launch another movement.”

Meanwhile, Ministry for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Rajendra Mahato said the government is committed to providing compensation to martyrs’ families. He said the government is initiating action against those who suppressed during the people’s movement. The government will also make the Rayamajhi commission report public, he said, adding, “We will erect statues of the martyrs in different places.”