Taplejung, November 23:

Speakers at an interaction organised in Taplejung today by a team of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which is here to monitor rights situation during the Maoist ceasefire, said both the government and the Maoists have violated international norms of ceasefire.

Civil society members, human rights activists, journalists, lawyers, representatives of the non-governmental organisations, parties and members of the displaced families said they have not been able to experience peace even during the ceasefire.

District secretary of the Nepali Congress, Keshav Dahal, said people have forgotten that human rights exist at present.

Chairman of the Peace Network, Taplejung, Prajapati Kafle said ceasefire hasn’t brought any peace to the people.

The Maoists have continued abductions and extortions while the government has been trying to break the truce.

Advocate Dhan Bahadur Thapa said the Maoists have not stopped terrorising people even during the ceasefire.

He further said unilateral ceasefire alone will not reinstate peace in the country, so the government must announce a ceasefire to establish lasting peace in the country.

Journalist Shambhu Kumar Prasai claimed that the Maoists have been violating human rights.

He urged the NHRC team to monitor the situation. Similarly, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Santosh Khatiwada, urged the Maoists to implement the ceasefire in practice.

The NHRC team, including officer of the Biratnagar-based Regional Office, Lok Nath Bastola, officers Budha Narayan Sahani and Pramesh Poudel, will leave for Paanchthar after assessing rights situation in Taplejung.