Kathmandu, April 4:

Vowing to confront any obstacle, including curfew, during the general strike and mass demonstrations beginning on Thursday, youth leaders affiliated to the seven-party alliance today said nothing other than a constituent assembly would be acceptable to them.

The leaders announced that they would “move a step further” even if their seniors compromised on minor issues and cautioned the latter against falling into ‘traps.’

Nepali Congress (Democratic) leader Man Mohan Bhattarai warned of an “explosion” if the government tried to suppress the demonstration. Speaking at the Reporters’ Club here, he accused the government of “pushing the country towards a civil war.”

Expressing doubts on senior party leaders falling prey to “secret arrangements”, former general secretary of Nepal Students’ Union (NSU) Chandra Bhandari urged them not to go by what foreign envoys have to say. “Let’s act on our own and forget what they (envoys) say,” Bhandari said.

Former NSU president Biswo Prakash Sharma said it would be disastrous if the leaders made a mistake by compromising like in 1990. “There should be no compromise this time unless the demand for a constituent assembly is met,” he said.

Saying that the youths are ready to face any consequence, student leader Gagan Thapa vowed to make the peaceful movement a success. He said that the movement would further compel the Maoists to join the mainstream. “Anyone trying to suppress the peaceful movement will have to face dire consequences,” he said.

Secretary of the valley mass movement committee, Yogesh Bhattarai, warned that the peaceful movement could take the shape of a “rebellion” if the government tried to use force.

Saying that his party will have no objection to the movement, youth leader of the Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) Basanta Man Singh Adhikari accused the government of inviting the current crisis.

Maheswor Roka of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Rana) expressed his party’s moral support to the movement, while youth leader of the RPP (Thapa) said bandhs would further deteriorate the situation.

NC fixes cadres’ meeting places

Kathmandu: The Nepali Congress (NC) has appealed to party workers of different regions to assemble at the appointed places to take part in the agitation for the restoration of democracy, a statement issued by the party today said. While party workers of the Mechi and Koshi zones have been instructed to gather at Koteswor and New Baneswor at 7 am through April 6-9, party workers from Sagarmatha and Janakpur zones have been told to gather at Chabahil and Jorpati.

Similarly, party men from Narayani and Gandaki have been told to gather at Basundhara and Maitidevi, while those from Lumbini and Dhaulagiri have been notified to meet at Gongabu, Thamel and Ason.

The party cadres from Rapti, Bheri and Karnali have been instructed to flock at Machapokhari and Chetrapati, while those from the Seti and Mahakali have been instructed to gather at Kalanki and Kalimati.

The NC today announced a new central media committee with the party spokesman Krishna Prasad Sitaula as its coordinator. — HNS