Sixth Loktantra Diwas marked

The sixth anniversary of Loktantra Diwas was observed in the country Monday to commemorate the People's Movement of 2006 that restored democratic rights and turned the country into a federal democratic republic.

The day is also celebrated to commemorate the day when erstwhile King Gyanendra Shah stepped down from power and reinstated the dissolved House of Representatives (HoR) in 2006.

Shah had reinstated the HoR ending his 15-month direct rule relenting to the pressure of the 19-day long mass movement on Baisakh 11, 2063 BS (April, 2006). Twenty-four people were killed and thousands wounded in the course of the movement.

The people's movement of 2062/63 BS is taken as an example of one of the largest peaceful movements in the world in recent years. Hundreds of thousands of people had come on the street against the King's direct rule defying strict curfew orders.

The mass movement, steered by the erstwhile seven party alliance and backed by the then underground UCPN (Maoist), paved way for the current peace process, election to the Constituent Assembly and establishment of a republican state.

Meanwhile, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Vice-President Parmananda Jha, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, Constituent Assembly chairperson Subash Nemwang, Chief Justice, government ministers, top officials and dignitaries, among others are scheduled to attend a special function to mark Loktantra Diwas.

The government has declared a public holiday to mark Loktantra Diwas. nepalnews.com