Kathmandu, January 17:

Speakers at an interaction held here today said a body comprising victims of insurgency should be formed and state power decentralised to provide justice to the victims.

Speaking at the interaction on Transitional Justice: Challenges and Prospects, organised by the Mukti Nath Adhikari Memorial Academy, to pay tribute to Adhikari on his fifth death anniversary, Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, general secretary of the Human Rights Home, said, “If the problems of victims are not addressed properly during the transitional period, they may stage protests for their rights.”

Calling for the restructuring of the state, he said, “The new state order should not come under the shadow of the old order.”

Surendra Pandey, a UML leader, said, “Political power does everything here. Take the case of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha. The Morcha is trying to grab power by raising guns and threatening innocent people. Such a practice should be discouraged.” Pandey said, “Insurgency victims can get justice only if laws against humanity are nullified.” He suggested the formation of a Local Peace Council to deliver justice to the victims.

Arjun Narsingh KC, a Nepali Congress leader, said state power should be decentralised so that victims could get justice. “Ot-herwise, the victims may stage protests,” he said.