“The NC Central Committee has called for a bandh tomorrow (Monday). If this means a repeat of the intimidation and violence we saw on Saturday, I think this is unfortunate.


Ultimately, it is up to you as Nepalis to determine the values you want to shape your political culture, but these actions affect your friends as well. The US recently lifted the travel warning for American citizens hoping to visit Nepal and we are actively seeking to bring American investors here. This type of political violence puts our efforts at risk and threatens to recreate the atmosphere that led to the travel warning in the first place.


We have said before, and say again, that we do not condone the use of intimidation and violence by any party. We hope that the NC leadership will reconsider its decision and instead choose a path for peaceful protest that does not restrict freedom of movement for others and that is consistent with the values of a party that has been an advocate for democracy for decades. As always, I welcome hearing how all of you see this issue.”


That’s how US Ambassador to Nepal Scott H DeLisi called for Nepali Congress (NC) to withdraw the strike that the party had called for Monday.


DeLisi, who had also pressurized the UML sister organizations earlier to call off the strike that they had called, wrote on his Facebook status that burning the vehicles of taxi drivers trying to earn a living is not an answer.


“Demonstrations are one thing, but violence and harming others are different. Just as we urged the UML leadership to speak out recently I hope that the Congress leaders, who pride themselves on their long support for democracy, will tell their students that violence directed against their fellow citizens is NOT part of the democratic vision of the NC.”


From Facebook