CPN-UML launched the Mechi-Mahakali campaign coinciding with the 'Sukhani Martyrs' Day' on Friday.

UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, Vice-Chairman Bam Dev Gautam, senior leaders Jhalanath Khanal, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Standing Committee member Subas Nembang had arrived in the Jhapa district to launch the 15-day campaign for constitution implementation, local elections, national unity and social harmony.

Lawmaker Rabin Koirala said separate programmes will be held in Sallbari, Sukhani, Garamani and Jyamirgadhi where the leaders will pay tributes to the martyrs.

UML Chair Oli, who took part in the 'Jhapa Rebellion', among other leaders visited Sukhani Park and offered tributes to the martyrs to officially launch the nationwide campaign.

On March 4, 1973, five leaders associated with the Jhapa rebellion –arrested by the then 'Panchayat state system' – were shot and executed in broad daylight at a jungle in Sukhani, Ilam after being brought their from Chandagadhi, Jhapa under the pretext of shifting them to another prison.

Ramnath Dahal, Netra Ghimire, Biren Rajbanshi, Krishna Kuinkel and Narayan Shrestha were executed in the jungle.

The campaign, which started from Kakarbhitta of Jhapa, will conclude on March 18 in Surkhet.

Publicity materials for the campaign have been distributed in Nepali, Maithali, Tharu, Doteli and Bhojpuri languages. RSS