Kathmandu, August 7:

Representatives from the indigenous communities today demanded restructuring of the state, saying the present one is unable to address the interest of the backward communities. They have also said they would raise voice for ethnic and regional autonomy.

“Representatives from the ethnic groups, backward communities, linguistic groups and regions have felt that the existing structure of the state cannot address their interests and they have, therefore, agreed to the demand for restructuring of the state.

The political parties have also expressed commitment to the need of restructuring the state,” said KB Gurung of All Nepal Conference for Ethnic People (ANCEP).

He said this while addressing a seminar organised by Joint Organising Committee to mark the World Indigenous Day -2005. The committee is celebrating the day with the theme “Need of Indigenous Nationalities — democracy and ethnic, regional autonomy”.

He said the central government should be semi-federal all-inclusive and participatory with ethnic and regional autonomy and that should be the base for restructuring of the state.

“Constituent assembly is the only democratic process which needs to be discussed thoroughly,” he said. “Peoples’ movement has started raising voice against autonomy and beyond that,” said Padma Ratna Tuladhar.

Tuladhar further said that the indigenous people should have their stance at a time when the movement for democracy has already been raised.

Presenting paper on “Strengthening Indigenous Nationalities and the question of mainstreaming,” Dr Keshab Man Shakya said the demand of restructuring the state was raised to prevent frustrated indigenous youth from joining peoples’ war.