Kathmandu, April 11:

The National Independent Dalit Students’ Organisation (NIDSO) today lifted the lockout at the National Dalit Commission (NDC) after Minister for Local Development Dev Gurung assured the body to appoint new chief at the NDC.

NIDSO president Lokesh Biswokarma said Gurung has assured them to appoint a new committee at NDC with an all-party agreement dismissing the decision taken by the earlier minister. He also said that Gurung has expressed commitment to begin process for making the Dalit commission an autonomous organisation.

Dalit activists led by NIDSO had padlocked the office of the NDC on March 6 opposing the government’s decision to appoint Bhagwat Biswasi as its chief. They have accused Biswasi of supporting the royal move.