The 62nd Democracy Day was observed Sunday by organising various programs across the country to commemorate the day when the nation was liberated from the 104-year long Rana dictatorship.

The day is celebrated on Falgun 7 every year as per the official Nepali calendar.

Although there is a public holiday today, for the first time since 2007 B.S the Maoist-led government is not organising any formal programs to observe the day.

However, Nepal Army personnel held parade and military art by organising a formal ceremony on the occasion.  function Pro-monarchist RPP-Nepal chairman Kamal Thapa held a reception to mark the occasion.

Issuing a congratulatory message on the occasion of 62nd Democracy Day, President Ram Baran Yadav called on all to consolidate national integrity, sovereignty and unity through the Constituent Assembly and ensure long-standing peace in the country by promulgating a democratic constitution through mutual trust, consensus and cooperation.

Meanwhile, leaders of opposition parties-Nepali Congress and CPN-UML criticised UCPN (Maoist) led government for breaking tradition of celebrating democracy day on 7 Fagun, saying that the move raised serious doubt towards the commitment of the Maoist party to the democracy.

NC vice president Ram Chandra Poudel said that the decision of government not to celebrate the day indicated Maoist intention to establish autocratic system like Rana regime. He also warned that such decision would sour the relationship among the parties. nepalnews.com