Kathmandu, March 27:

The Home Ministry has appealed to all political parties, groups and civil society to cooperate with the ministry to maintain law and order situation at a time when the “country is heading towards elections to the constituent assembly.”

The ministry issued a statement today asking the political parties and the concerned groups to “coordinate” with the local administration before organising any protest programmes or rallies. The ministry has, however, warned not to take the government’s policy to take minimum departmental action as its weakness.

“It is the government’s responsibility to protect people’s lives and property,” the statement added. The government would be compelled to take stern action against those defying the notice.

The ministry has also appealed to the concerned parties not to organise provocative programmes or activities. It has appealed to the concerned parties not to interfere in the programmes conducted by other parties or groups. The statement adds that the government would not bar peaceful demonstrations. The ministry has warned against emonstrating with weapons, lathis or sticks.

The ministry has also appealed to the parties not to organise any programmes in the restricted areas and not to obstruct the normal movement of vehicles and the daily work in government offices.

The statement adds that the ministry has already given directives to the concerned local authorities to adopt extreme caution while protecting the lives of the people.