Thousands take part in UML rally calling for peace and democracy
Defying ban imposed by the local administration, some 30,000 people took part in a rally and mass meeting organized by a major opposition, CPN (Unified Marxist-Leninist) party, in Pokhara on Friday to protest against the royal takeover and push for early restoration of democracy in the country.
Reports from Pokhara say thousands of people from nearby districts marched towards the famous tourist city to take part in the mass meeting as local administration had warned local bus entrepreneurs not to operate their service on Friday, according to reports. The organizer, UML’s Gandaki zonal committee, alleged that the government mobilized security personnel and distributed pamphlets on behalf of so-called ‘civil society’ calling upon people not to attend the protest rally `for security reasons.’
Thousands of UML cadres from western districts of Lamjung, Gorkha and Tanahun organized a protest rally at Damauli—the district headquarter of Tanahun—after the local administration barred them to proceed towards Pokhara. The party organized a protest meeting in Damauli itself. Similarly, UML cadres and leaders organized separate protest meeting in the western district of Syangja against restrictions imposed by the administration.
The constitution of the kingdom of Nepal, 1990, guarantees peaceful assembly of people.
The UML leaders, however, said they were overwhelmed by the participation of people from various walks of life in the rally and mass meeting at Chipledhunga of Pokhara today.
Addressing the mass meeting, general secretary of CPN (UML), Madhav Kumar Nepal, said the understanding reached between the seven party opposition alliance and the CPN (Maoist) was a major breakthrough towards resolving the nine-year-old armed conflict in the country. He said the understanding would lead to a new chapter in the country’s politics.
The UML leader said there was no alternative to democracy in the country and that it could be restored only through a massive and peaceful people’s movement. He urged the king not to pose any obstacles towards efforts aimed at restoring peace in the country. “Those who dare to stand in the road towards peace will be swept away,” he warned.
UML leaders Jhal Nath Khanal and Trilochan Dhakal also addressed the mass meeting.
Tens of thousands of people had also taken part in similar protest rally and mass meeting organized by the UML in the western town of Butwal last week as part of its on-going ‘people’s awareness programme.’ nepalnews.com by Nov 25
