Kathmandu, April 28:

The Citizen’s Forum of Nepal (CIFON) today said that extensive discussions on various major issues are necessary to draft a new constitution after holding the election to a constituent assembly.

In a press release, the forum urged the seven party-alliance and the Maoists to act responsibly and respect the people’s mandate.

“Resumption of the people’s movement will be inevitable if the leaders fail to take steps for inclusive restructuring of the state and ushering in equity-based economic and social transformation,” the statement, signed by chairman Himalaya Shamsher Rana, said. It also demanded the Maoists cease all violent activities, blockades and other protests once the House passes a proposal for elections to the constituent assembly.

The statement further said that the new government should work out and implement programmes for the reconstruction of the physical infrastructure damaged during the armed conflict and strive for the resumption of economic activities in the industrial and business sector. It also welcomed Monday’s royal proclamation, saying that it had opened the door for a way out of the political crisis plaguing the nations.