Kathmandu, February 19:

State Minister for Labour and Transport Management Rabindra Khanal today said peace is essential for democracy.

He was addressing a programme on democracy organised by Nepal Bhu-Bhag Sanrankshyan Manch today.

He said that Nepalis have accepted the Maoists but protested against their practicing terrorism to have their ideology established in the country. “The Maoists terrorised the people who were using their rights to vote,” he said. He also accused media for being indifferent to nationality. According to him, nationality cannot be fetched in geographic maps but in people’s feelings.

Dr Shastra Datta Panta, a policical analyst said that those human rights activists who demand imposition of Item 9 on Nepal are international agents.

“What kind of people could they be who want UN to impose Item 9 for their country? They must be international agents, in guise of human rights activists,” he said. But he did not mention who asked the UN to impose Item 9 for Nepal.

He also charged the politicians for blaming the King of ruining the democracy when King has promised to give democracy to people.