Kathmandu

More than a thousand Christians defied an ongoing general strike yesterday to attend a national convention in Kathmandu of the “Christian advisory committee for the New Constitution.”

Among the topics was the result of a 40-day protest held last month in the capital over the issue of giving burial land to Christians.Group vice president Pastor Isu Jung Karki reminded the meeting that members of the government had visited the protesters and promised that land would be identified for burial purposes for the Christian community. “So we are feeling, for the first time, we are first class citizens and we are heard.”

Udaya Sumsher Rana, constitutional assembly member and Congress Party representative, said: “Until minorities are not protected no peace can come to Nepal. I won my elections from the very place in Lalitpur district where you have identified land to be allotted to you. I will help you to use it as soon as possible.”

Laxmi Pariyar, constitutional assembly member and the only Christian in parliament, said she had joined in the protest in its late stages. She said it was only a matter of time before burial land would be allotted and added “we learned a lot as we protested.”

Secretary of the Christian Advisory committee Pastor Chari Bahadur Gahatraj told the meeting the Chief district officer of Lalitpur (in southern Kathmandu) was interacting with locals so the identified land in Badikhel could be handed over to the Christians. Gahatraj said: “Once we get this land, then the allotment of lands in other 75 districts of Nepal can move ahead.”