Palpa, October 13:

UN assistant secretary general, Kul Chandra Gautam, today said it was essential to ensure the management of arms in Nepal because the politics of arms is now an “outdated” concept.

Inaugurating the Jagat Bahadur Joshi Auditorium on the premises of Janata School in Tansen of Palpa, Gautam said: “Earlier, politics used to be dominated by the power of arms. At present, it is not appropriate to try for political change with the help of arms or by terror, violence and threats.”

Gautam has contributed Rs 1million for the construction of the auditorium. Talking to this daily before leaving for Gulmi, he said: “Peaceful constituent assembly polls are impossible if arms are not managed.”

Arms management has been the important issue in the summit talks also, he said, adding: “This is not the time to be contentious about letters sent to the UN separately by CPN-Maoist supremo Prachanda and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.”

The UN wishes for the establishment of sustainable peace in Nepal, he said, adding: “We will work on the lines of both letters. The UN will play a helpful role while keeping in mind the sentiments of political parties, civil society and Nepali people.”

Saying that foreign remittance is vital for Nepal’s economy, Gautam said: “Non-resident Nepalis should be provided with a suitable environment to do business in Nepal.” Gautam also attended a press meet organised by the Palpa chapter of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists.