Issuing a statement, the NHRC urged the government to avoid using excessive force to contain protest activities. It also called upon the Maoists to withdraw their general shutdown as the strike adversely affected the lives of ordinary people.
The NHRC has also urged other political parties to reach consensus through dialogue.
The national human rights watchdog said it monitored the protests across the country on Sunday. The Maoists had allowed vehicles belonging to press, human rights activists, tourists and ambulances, the commission said. However, public transport, academic institutions, businesses and factories remain closed.
There were sporadic clashes between security personnel and the agitators in various parts of the country including Kathmandu, said the NHRC.
Meanwhile, OHCHR-N has expressed serious concerns over the violence during protests on Sunday.
Issuing a press statement, OHCHR-Nepal said the situation at New Baneshwar deteriorated rapidly after the DSP in command appeared to sustain a serious head injury when attacked by protestors. Thereafter, police were seen using excessive force on the crowd, according to a press statement.
“I recognize the right of the police to keep clear the public highways and the right of demonstrators to protest peacefully, however I call on all groups to exercise restraint, to avoid provocation and to reduce tension through dialogue,” the statement quoted OHCHR-Nepal chief Richard Bennett as saying. “It must not be repeated and those responsible should be held to account.“
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