By Prithvi Shrestha, Zhang Jianhua

Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala (L Front), representing Nepal's Seven-Party Alliance government, and CPN chairman Prachanda (R Front), representing guerrilla, scrutinize a comprehensive national peace accord (CPA) at the Birendra International Convention Centre in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, Nov. 21, 2006.  (Xinhua Photo)  Photo Gallery >>>

    KATHMANDU, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Nepal has entered a new era of peace and development following the Nepali government and the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) (formerly known as guerrilla) signed a comprehensive peace accord ending 11-year-long civil war formally.

    After signing the agreement in the presence of a large number of journalists, diplomats and intellectuals, both Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and CPN chairman Prachanda expressed their commitment to lead the country toward the path of development by ensuring institutionalization of democracy and people's rights through peaceful and partnership approach.

    Most importantly, the agreement has ended decade-long armed conflict and transformed the temporary cease-fire into permanent one. The agreement has also made clear that it is punishable to keep weapons without license or use them directly and indirectly to create fear among people.

    The person, who forces somebody to do something, abducts and tortures people will be punished, according to the agreement.

    Both sides have expressed their commitment to international human rights conventions and humanitarian laws, freedom of expression, religious freedom and people's right to live. It is the joint accord of peace, cease-fire and human rights.

    After signing the agreement, Prime Minister Koirala said that Nepali people have set an example for the world of solving conflicts.

    "Now my only wish is to hold election to constituent assembly successfully for democratic restructuring of the state," he added.

    Likewise, Prachanda also said that the day when the peace accord was signed was an end to long-standing feudalism and the beginning of a new era of democratic and progressive Nepal.

    Interviewed by Xinhua, people from various walks of life said they believed that the nation entered the agenda of peace after the signing of the agreement.

    They also emphasized full implementation of commitments made in the agreement.

    "The main challenge before the political leaders now is to implement the agreement earnestly," said Narayan Wagle, editor of Kantipur, a leading vernacular daily here.

    Daman Nath Dhungana, one of the former mediators in the earlier talks between the government and the CPN, said that the political parties and the government must prove they are dedicated to the implementation of the agreement.

    Human rights activist Sudeep Pathak said he was more confident with the latest agreement as both the Seven-Party Alliance and the CPN would soon be the part of the state.

    According to the agreement signed on Nov. 8, they would form an interim legislature by Nov. 26 and an interim government by Dec. 1,in which representatives from both the ruling Seven-Party Alliance and the CPN would participate.

    Chandi Raj Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the apex body of Nepali business community, said that they believe no great disturbances in the business activities will occur in the days to come.

    The government and the CPN, however, have failed to publish an interim constitution on Tuesday before the deadline due to the delay in signing the peace accord. So, some local analysts said, it is likely that the work on the interim constitution, interim legislature and interim government would not be accomplished before the deadline.