Ilam, February 24:

A standing committee member of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist and chief of the party publicity department, Pradip Nepal, said the seven political parties are agitating for reinstatement of the people’s rights and restore permanent peace in the country.

Nepal was addressing the two-day eastern meet of the Press Chautari Nepal in Ilam today. He said the government detained the political leaders and cadres when they demanded the rights. The agitation is not being launched for the sake of power, he said, adding that the government has not right to stay in power as it has failed to ensure security and democracy to the people.

Nepal accused the government of detaining media persons by defying all norms and values.

Such a government should not stay in power even for a day, Nepal further said. The verdict given by the Supreme Court has proved that the government is illegitimate and unconstitutional, he said.

Speaking at the programme, central president of the Press Chautari Nepal, Bal Krishna Chapagain, accused the government of hijacking the sovereign rights given by the Constitution of Nepal-1990 to the people.

The leaders of various political parties said press freedom is possible only in a total democracy.

The programme was chaired by vice president of the eastern regional chapter of the Press Chautari Nepal, Devi Dulal.

Sixty-five representatives and observers from the eastern region are attending the two-day meet, said coordinator of the organising committee, Buddhi Khanal.