August 25 -- KATHMANDU: Kakre Bihar Struggle Concern Committee today said it will organise a peace rally and street meeting in Kathmandu on August 29 to ‘ to press the government to address its demands’.
Photo Source: http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/
In a press release, KBSCC said the rally will originate from Basantapur Dabali and pass through New Road, Jamal, Ratna Park, Bag Bazaar, Putalisadak and Padmodaya before converging at Pradarshani Marg. KBSCC together with other Buddhist organisations have been demanding that the government allow them to install a Buddha idol at the Surkhet-based Kakre Bihar.
They had staged a protest in front of the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar and picketed Singha Durbar to protest what they called the ‘government’s indifference towards their demands’ during first and second phases of protest.
Meanwhile, a weeklong relay hunger strike, part of the third phase of agitation, concluded in Shanti Batika today. Thukten Jigdol, Vice-President, Nepal Buddhist Federation, alleged that the government was not interested in letting Buddhists install a Buddha idol at Kakre Bihar despite their repeated requests and protests. “The government is dillydallying and hatching conspiracies against our demands,” he claimed.
The agitators have also sought budget for the management of the Bihar, security guarantee for followers of Buddhism, action against police personnel, who misbehaved with protesters during earlier protests, and a peaceful environment in which they can perform their rituals. Last month’s talks between the government and protesters had ended inconclusively as the government pointed that the Forest Act does not allow installation of Buddha idol at Kakre Bihar, and the protesters refused to relent.