Jhapa, June 1:

Home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said today that the unity of the eight parties should continue as it was necessary for the nation’s and people’s welfare.

Speaking at a press meet organised by the Jhapa chapter of the Nepal Press Union at Birtamod, Sitaula said the parties’ unity was necessary for the constituent assembly (CA)election and drafting a new constitution.

Stating that the situation in the nation is improving after the unity of eight parties, Sitaula said: “As the eight parties have joined the government, they have to try and correct their mistakes in government and parliament. The Maoists should lose their armed struggle mentality. The present political situation is still critical, and there should not be any haste and hurry in doing anything.”

Asked about the issue of Bhutanese refugees, Sitaula said the government was determined that there should be dignified repatriation of the Bhutanese refugees and restoration of human rights and democracy in Bhutan.

Expressing sorrow at the deaths of three Bhutanese refugees in the recent incident that occurred in Jhapa, he said the government would provide funds for the final rites of the persons killed in the incident and provide medical treatment to those injured.

After the press meet, a team of Bhutanese refugees informed the Home minister about their problems. Chairperson of Bhutan People’s Party Balaram Poudel, human rights activist DP Kafle, among others, said that tension arose in the camps after UNHCR officials visiting the refugee camps instigated the refugees in the name of settling them in a third country. They said that the incidents that occurred on May 27 and 28 at Beldangi camp were “results of the instigation.” Urging them to maintain peace, Sitaula assured the refugees that the government would provide aid to the kin of those killed in the Beldangi camp.