Page 11 - atoday
P. 11
WORLD NEWS A11
Monday 21 September 2015
Nepal formally adopts constitution amid stepped-up security
B. GURUBACHARYA Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav displays the constitution, “This really long chapter is ones, bigger territory for
Associated Press now finally closed,” said larger groups and more
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — formally adopted following a decade of political infighting, Shyam Sharma, a student seats for ethnic minorities
Nepal on Sunday formally who watched the presi- in parliament and govern-
adopted a much antici- in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. Yadav signed dent’s motorcade drive to- ment.
pated and long-delayed ward the assembly. “Now Laxman Lal Karna, a senior
constitution that took more the constitution and made the proclamation announcement, the country can focus on leader of the Madhesi eth-
than seven years to com- other important issues like nic group in southern Ne-
plete following a decade setting off a roar of applause from members of the Constituent developing the country, pal, said the new constitu-
of political infighting. improving the economy. tion failed to address many
Security was stepped up Assembly in Kathmandu. (AP Photo/Bikram Rai) If these politicians had of the issues and that pro-
across the nation, with agreed a few years back, tests would continue.
smaller political parties and places an interim one that flag as fireworks went off. we would not have wasted The violence over the past
ethnic groups opposed was supposed to be in ef- In the streets of Kathman- so much time, energy and several weeks has left at
to the new charter issuing fect for only a couple of du, the capital, people lit money.” least 45 people dead. Po-
fresh threats of violence. years but has governed oil lamps and candles and The key part of the consti- lice said clashes between
President Ram Baran Ya- the nation since 2007. buildings were decorated tution, passed on Wednes- officers and protesters on
dav signed the constitution Thousands of people who with colored lights. day after a decade of Sunday left one demon-
and made the proclama- gathered outside the as- “Congratulations to all bickering and violent pro- strator dead near Birgunj
tion announcement, set- sembly hall cheered after Nepalese” read a white tests, sets the country up town in southern Nepal.
ting off a roar of applause the announcement was and red banner strung as a secular federation of The three main political
from members of the Con- made, waving the national across a street. seven states, each with a parties backing the consti-
stituent Assembly in Kath- legislature and chief min- tution have made a fresh
mandu. ister. appeal for Madhesi to join
“We believe that the However, some ethnic talks.
adoption of the new con- and religious groups say “They may disagree with
stitution has now opened lawmakers ignored their the size and makeup of
the path for development concerns over how state these states, but that is not
of the country,” Yadav told borders should be defined. a really big issue,” Prime
the assembly. They want more states, in- Minister Sushil Koirala said
The new constitution re- cluding ethnically based Saturday.q
