At a time when ethnic and religious protests have flared up across the country regarding new constitution, the ruling CPN-UML has instructed its lawmakers mainly from indigenous communities to stay away from such protests.

The party on Thursday issued a circular to this effect to party leaders and cadres. 

Through the circular, the party has warned of action if any of its cadres were found involved  in provoking ethnic and religious protests aimed at derailing the long-cherished dream of promulgating the new constitution drafted by the people’s elected representatives.

The instruction comes in the wake of growing demands by Janajati and Madhesi community for separate autonomous state. Against this backdrop, supporters of Hindu state are also staging protests demanding Nepal be reinstated as a Hindu state by reversing the secular state provision adopted by the Interim Constitution.

“Our party committee, leaders and cadres should strictly keep distance from protests organised by other groups. Convince them to stand back if anyone is attending such protests,” states an 11-point circular issued by party General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel. “Take actions against those found disregarding the party instruction, and inform it to party headquarters.”

The party has also asked the party rank and file not to give statement against any caste, language, religion and ethnic community. It has also urged the party cadres to not blame an entire community over a certain communal incident and protest.

While discussing the recent protests erupted in various parts of the country, the party reiterated that criminals do not represent any particular caste, religion and community. The circular was initially distributed to Zonal offices and local leaders were asked to disseminate messages to village level. 

Local leaders are asked to quickly convey information concerning communal violence around their surrounding areas.

The instruction, according to party leaders, was circulated after a series of protests emerged in Far-West and Tarai region.

So far, over a dozen people including security personnel have lost their lives in various parts of the country. The local administration has mobilised Army to assist Nepal Police and Armed Police Force by declaring Kailali, Rautahat, Dang and other districts as riot-stricken zones.