"We have realized that the state has failed to control impunity, and instead promoted it," said civil society leaders in a joint statement issued on the occasion of Loktantra Day on Friday.
Those issuing the statement include Radheshyam Adhikari, Kanak Mani Dixit, Tikaram Bhattarai, Nilamber Acharya, Dr Saroj Dhital, Rajan Bhattarai, Kulchandra Gautam, Subdh Pyakurel, Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Chandra Kishor, Sushil Pyakurel, Dr Minendra Rijal, Kamal Krishna Joshi, Raghuji Panta, Pasang Sherpa, Dharmendra Jha, Shankar Pokharel, Pradip Gyawali and Shambhu Thapa.
The leaders some of whom are now Constituent Assembly members presented a list of the cases where the state has not only failed to take action against the "murderers" but also promoted them. The cases include murder of journalists Birendra Sah, Prakash Thakuri, Uma Singh, businessman Ram Hari Shrestha, student Pushkar Dangol and political activist Prachanda Thaiba.
"Involvement of the party, which is leading the government, has created a situation to doubt its commitment to human rights, rule of law and multiparty competition," they said.
They, however, lauded some achievements made so far toward establishment of republican system, federalism and election to president and vice-president.
They have pointed out that the mushrooming armed groups, domination of non-political agenda, inclination of parties toward militarization as major challenges for consolidation of republican system. They also urged the parties to go hand in hand on key national issues and manage the Maoist combatants kept in cantonments at the earliest. They also condemned the act of smearing soot on the face of TU officials, and taking to the streets against army and courts.
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