Kathmandu, July 29:

To hit streets from Aug 2; local-level protests to go on till Aug 21.

A meeting of the task force of the seven-party alliance today announced more protest programmes against the RCCC’s decision to convict former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and others, arrest of student leaders for offence against the State, repressive move against civil servants, and introduction of the so-called nationalistic education. The protest programmes will begin from from August 2, with a central-level protest programme to be organised at Gaushala here. The alliance has also decided to organise an interaction programme on August 12 in the Capital, which is expected to be attended by senior alliance leaders. Other protest programmes will continue at the local-level in which students, women, labourers and other professional organisations are expected to participate. Local-level programmes will continue till August 21.

The alliance has also decided to actively participate in other programmes that will be organised by legal practitioners, civil society, journalists, human rights activists and other professional oragnisations. According to a statement issued by the seven-party task force, similar protest programmes will be organised at district- and local-levels for ‘total’ democracy.

The statement has also drawn attention of the national community and that of the international community to the famine and shortage of food supply in the Karnali region. It has also expressed serious concern over the severe drought in some parts of the country.

The alliance has asked the government to immediately supply food grains to the famine-hit areas.