Kantipur, KATHMANDU, SEP 26 – UCPN (Maoist) and Madhes-based parties have demanded the release of CK Raut who has been remanded for further investigation on charges of treason.

The UCPN (Maoist) -led Federal Republican Front demanded so during a meeting with acting Prime Minister Bam Dev Gautam, ministers and high level officials held at Prime Minister’s Office at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu on Friday.

Earlier on Thursday, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, referring to the recent arrest of Raut on the charge of being involved in a secessionist campaign,  had said that the ruling parties—Nepali Congress and CPN-UML—have created distressful situation by arresting and torturing a hitherto unknown person and making him famous overnight just for expressing some extremist views.

Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP) Chairman Rajendra Mahato said that no one should be arrested for expressing their views at a time when constitution drafting process is moving ahead and different views are being shared. He informed that the UCPN (M)-led Front has demanded for the immediate release of Raut.

“It was not a wise decision to arrest Raut when no action is being taken against others for expressing views against the constitution at a time when constitution is being drafted and the nation is going through transitional period,” said Mahato, “The arrest of Raut will make the issue of federalism and the agenda for change overshadowed and draw the attention of Madhes towards the arrest.”

After the meeting, Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) Chairman Mahanta Thakur said, “The government created unnecessary fuss regarding Raut’s case which could have been dealt more subtly.”

The Federal Republic Front leaders present at the meeting suggested the government that the problem won’t be resolved by arresting Raut and by withdrawing Raut’s case.

Acting PM Gautam along with Deputy PM Prakash Man Singh, Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat and Chief Secretary Lila Mani Poudel were present from the government’s side, while, UCPN (M) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadhar, TMLP Chairman Mahanta Thakur, NSP Chairman Rajendra Mahato , Federal Republic Party Chairman Ashok Rai were present from the Front.

The meeting also discussed on resolving the House proceedings. However, no consensus was reached on the same.

Posted on: 2014-09-26 05:09