TRC divided over term extension of local peace committees

Kathmandu, July 15

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, one of the two bodies formed to settle decades-long conflict era cases by applying international principles of transitional justice, has been divided over whether to extend the term of local peace committees.

The Local Peace Committee was formed in each district affected by the war by then Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction so as to facilitate the process of post-war reconstruction. Their current term is expiring Monday.

In this context, two members of the five-member Commission want the term to be extended whereas three are against it.

It is interesting to note that those lobbying for the extension–TRC Chairman Surya Kiran Gurung and member Madhavi Bhatta–are considered close to the main opposition Nepali Congress whereas three other members–Manchala Jha, Leela Udasi and Shree Krishna Subedi–are said to be loyal to ruling Nepal Communist Party.

Gurung and Bhatta want the term extended because the Nepali Congress has leadership in over 75 per cent such peace committees, sources claim.

But, three other members have said the committees are useless as the Ministry of Peace has already been dissolved and the committee are incapable of handling other assignments.

Gurung and Bhatta, however, view that the committees are needed to investigate into complaints it received from conflict victims at the local level.

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