Status of those made to disappear will be made public within two years: PM Prachanda

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, May 21: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has vowed to make known within two years the whereabouts of those made to disappear during the People's War.

"The amendment bill on enforced disappearance and the truth and reconciliation commission is at its final stage. I am confident it will be endorsed soon. We are striving to establish the reality about those made to disappear," said PM Prachanda while addressing an interaction oranised to mark the 14th Disappeared Fighters Memorial Day.

The Prime Minister pledged to make a provision of reparation for the victim families of the disappeared and ensure them justice.

"I understand restlessness has gripped all the family members of those made to disappear for you have been waiting for getting information about your dear and near ones, for justice has been delayed. My empathy with you all," the PM said addressing the family members of the disappeared.

Referring to the lately developing agreement among the major parties including the main opposition CPN (UML) on the issue of transitional justice and TRC, the PM underscored the need for all political parties to move forward to materialize the dreams of the martyrs and the disappeared fighters.

He said obstacles were being created now and then against taking steps to recognize those who made sacrifice and contribution to bring the historical change and establish republic political system in the country.

"We declared those Maoist fighters who lost lives during the people's war as martyrs. Others who lost lives during that period were already declared as martyrs. There was biasness against us, and I corrected it," he said.

Netra Bikram Chand 'Biplov', general secretary of the Nepal Communist Party, termed the republican system as the result of the sacrifice and contributions made by thousands of martyrs, disappeared fighters and those who got disability.

If you take pride in republic system, should you not think of the whereabouts of those made to disappear simply because they demanded republic? Biplov questioned.

NCP General secretary Biplov assured the government of necessary cooperation with regard to government's pro-people initiatives.

He also urged all the political parties that came together to do away with monarchy to come together again to fight back crony capitalism.

"We understand 21^st century socialism will be multiparty one. We believe in competitive politics. I urge all to be ready for socialism and come together to establish it," said Biplov.

Ramesh Lekhak, Nepali Congress leader, underscored the need to address the plight of the family members of those made to disappear.

"I can feel the sadness you all have been suffering for so many years," said Lekhak, adding, "We want to conclude transitional justice at the earliest."

He also vowed to endorse the TRC amendment bill from this session of the parliament so that issues related to disappeared persons are settled in time.

Deputy general secretary of the CPN (UML), Pradeep Gyawali, expressed solidarity with the demand of justice as made by the families of the disappeared.

Ek Raj Bhandari, senior advocate and a campaigner for justice to the families of the disappeared, complained that the political parties have defaulted on the justice for the families of the disappeared although they vowed to form a commission within 60 days of the comprehensive peace accord and settle the issue.

"It has been over 16 years since the CPA was singed, but the whereabouts of the disappeared have not been made known even now," said Bhandari.