Kathmandu, December 1:

The latest survey conducted by a non-governmental organisation has revealed that a majority of people in 56 districts are for a “democratic republican set-up”, while a negligible number of respondents backed ceremonial monarchy and constitutional monarchy.

“About 88 per cent of the people surveyed by the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) in fifty-six districts opted for a democratic republican set-up,” Subodh Pyakurel, chairman of INSEC told this daily. Only about five per cent are for constitutional monarchy while five per cent of the interviewed people favoured ceremonial monarchy.

Interestingly, the people did not have much idea about the concept of ceremonial monarchy, Pyakurel said.

On a similar note, 88 per cent of the interviewees were for inclusive democracy and political representation encompassing people from all walks of life.

About 17,000 people were surveyed by INSEC and this is just an initial research being conducted by the rights watchdog.

On the human rights front, about 92 per cent were for bringing the human rights violators to book, thereby giving justice to the victims of the decade-long conflict.

“The respondents felt that the victims of human rights abuses would live with the strong feeling of vengeance. Thus, the sentiment of punishing the violators was strong among the respondents,” said Pyakurel.

The survey on ‘people’s agenda for peace’ is ongoing and this is just a preliminary research.

Meanwhile, an interaction programme was held here today to discuss about INSEC’s findings.

Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsingh KC said that INSEC’s survey would help the government and political parties in their efforts to draft new constitution and restructuring the state.

Maoist leader Ek Raj Bhandari said the Maoists were committed to upholding and protecting human rights. “There could have been violations of human rights from the Maoists’ side in the past and we have taken action against those who were found to be guilty,” he said. The concept of human rights depends on the perceptions of people, he said.