NEPALGUNJ: Peace Committee formed in Banke district some five months ago is yet to get its coordinator. The committee meetings, three times though, have not yet been able to bring forth a candidate for the post. The committee comprised of 12 members from the political parties and 11 from social organisations, underprivileged community and business groups.

“The functioning of the committee was hit hard for lack of a coordinator,” the stakeholders said.

The committee has a task of taking initiatives of providing relief for the conflict victims and to make public, whereabouts of the disappeared. Devi Chaudhari, member representing the underprivileged community said, “The committee could not perform the above task for lack of leadership.”

According to a member of the committee, “the post lay vacant as five major parties have been claiming the same. Dambar BK of Unified CPN-Maoist, Krishna Man Shrestha of Nepali Congress, Ashok Koirala of CPN-UML, Kamaruddin Rai of MJF and Girija Prasad Pathak of Terai Madhes Democratic Party have the claim.

Likewise, members representing the social organisations have put forth their claim too. However, making a lame excuse, UML district secretary Ashok Koirala said that the coordinator will be selected soon. “Decision will be made forging agreement among the political parties,” he added.

The civil society blamed the political parties to be indecisive and their incompetence is impedance. Bhola Mahat, INSEC regional coordinator questioned that when the parties cannot forge consensus on a local peace committee how could they forge one for the nation.