Kathmandu, January 25:

Three prominent members of the civil society today appealed to the King to postpone the municipal elections slated for February 8, release all the political prisoners from across the country, remove terrorist-tag labelled against the Maoists and invite the parties in the conflict for dialogue.

Former justice and chairman of Civic Peace Commission Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, chairman of Civic Society for Peace and Development Dr Sundar Mani Dixit and general secretary of Civic Society for Peace and Development Bishnu Pukar had the appeal registered at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace at 10 am. The registration number of the appeal is 9464.

The appeal said since the King has assumed power of the country, it is the chief responsibility of the King to give an easy way out of political crisis. “We, therefore, understand that it is essential to create a minimum atmosphere for dialogue by deferring announced polls, releasing all the political prisoners, lifting the terrorist-tag labelled against the Maoists and inviting the parties in the conflict for talks,” read the appeal. The appeal reminds that the Maoists’ four-month-long unilateral truce was a great opportunity for understanding and peace. “Unfortunately, a series of mayhem and violence has started due to the state’s utmost negligence towards the truce.”

The plea added that the country is passing through an unprecedented crisis due to the armed conflict and there is likelihood that the country might be listed as a “failed state”.

Dalit body calls for poll-boycott

KATHMANDU: Nepal Dalit Association (Democratic) on Wednesday appealed to all the people to actively boycott the upcoming municipal polls slated for February 8.

“The Nepalis have been suffering from the unconstitutional moves of the King. This poll is a step taken to legitimise all his unconstitutional moves and prolong his autocratic regime,” stated a release issued here on Wednesday by Shambhu Hajara Paswan, general secretary of the Dalit body. — HNS