Kathmandu, August 18:

Calling on the government to nationalise the properties of King Gyanendra and corrupt leaders, the Newar National Liberation Front (NNLF), the ethnic wing of the CPN (Maoist), today handed over a 39-point memorandum to Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Amik Sherchan at the Prime Minister’s Office.

“I warned the government that NNLF will lead a revolution if its demands were not met within a reasonable time frame,” said Pawan Man Shrestha, chairman of the NNLF.

The memorandum calls on the government to immediately scrap all unjust treaties, prohibit foreign powers from making political decisions concerning Nepal, punish guilty army officials, democratise the “royal” army, and declare Nepal a democratic republic.

“We urge the government to hold a national political conference with the representation of seven parties, the Maoists and the civic society, hold impartial elections to a Constituent Assembly after forming an interim parliament, interim statute, and an interim government,” the memorandum states.

It also calls on the government to shift the country’s capital from Kathmandu Valley, end haphazard urbanisation in the name of giving room to outsiders, provide subsidy for conservation of heritage sites, traditional dances and music.

The lion’s share of the income generated by tourism should be spent on heritage conservation, it adds.

“The Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas where there are traces of Newar settlements should be declared the Newar Autonomous Republic,” the memorandum adds, demanding that people be granted ethnic autonomy and the right to self-determination.

The memorandum also calls for the release of Maoist activists, who were abducted from the valley. The NNLF will hold its national convention in the capital by October-end.