New Nepal Constitution is ‘matter of self-respect’, says Prachanda
22 Sep 2015 11:30 PM GMT
Amid India’s concerns over the new Constitution, former Nepal prime minister and Maoist chief Prachanda on Tuesday said the promulgation of the new statute is a “matter of conscience and self-respect” for the Nepalese people who will not bow down before anyone’s pressure.
“By promulgation of the Constitution through the Constituent Assembly we have conveyed the message to the world that Nepalese people are capable of making decisions by themselves,” he said.
“We cannot bow down before anyone’s pressure or persuasion. It is a matter of our conscience and self-respect. <g data-gr-id="24">This time</g> Nepalese people have realised their 70-year-old dream of writing their own constitution by themselves,” he said.
The promulgation of the constitution was not directed towards any country and it will not go against any country, he said.
“The people of India should recognise when Nepalese people have exercised their conscience by writing the constitution,” he said adding “We don’t want war or conflict with anyone”.
“There are media reports that India has been imposing economic blockade upon us and if it is true we are prepared to ride on bicycles rather than using motor-vehicles,” he said.
Prachanda’s remarks came in response to the statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressing concern over the incidents of violence in southern Nepal following the promulgation of the Constitution.
Curfew lifted from parts of protest-hit south districts
Nepal on Tuesday lifted curfew from parts of violence-hit southern districts bordering India with <g data-gr-id="57">situation</g> improving in some areas after weeks of violent protest over the new Constitution that left more than 40 dead. Curfew was lifted from Birgunj town, bordering Raxaul in Bihar, this morning and restrictive orders are being relaxed in some places as the situation is gradually improving in the southern plains of Terai, Home Ministry spokesperson Laxmi Prasad Dhakal said.
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