Lalitpur, August 9:

A central committee member of the CPN-Maoist, Hisila Yami, said today the party is making “special efforts to turn the Kathmandu Valley into a Newar Autonomous Republic”. “We are here to ensure that the valley turns into a Newar Autonomous Republic shortly,” she said while addressing the Newar Ganatantrik Swaniga Abhiyan, a campaign launched with the objective of turning the valley into a republic.

The campaign is being organised by the Newar National Liberation Front (NNLF), the Newar-wing of the CPN (Maoist). “The Newars won’t achieve freedom of any kind unless the King is overthrown,” she said.

“If you want to achieve liberation, first estimate how strong the enemy is, then be prepared for the toughest war against the monarchy,” she said, adding: “Only through commitment and dreams can we regain our lost glory.” Yami termed the pact signed between the government and the Maoists “a defeat for the US government”. “Notwithstanding what the US government did or has been doing here to wreck the peace process, the agreement proves that peace is possible in Nepal.”