Local units across the country have taken serious exception to Friday’s violent protests by the monarchists, defending the existing federal democratic republic as having no alternative.

The National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal and the Municipal Association of Nepal jointly said on Wednesday that the monarchists’ protest is an attack on the democratic system.

“The idea of regression or an authoritarian regime is unacceptable,” they said in a statement. “There is no alternative to Loktantra.”

Two persons lost their lives while dozens of others, including security personnel, were injured in the protest led by controversial medical college owner Durga Prasai and Nabaraj Subedi, a Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader.

Property worth billions of rupees was destroyed as the protesters resorted to vandalism and arson in private and public properties and vehicles. They not just vandalised media houses but also looted shops and supermarkets. The protesters did not even spare the National Human Rights Commission officials mobilised to monitor the protest.

“We strongly condemn the damage caused to public and private property, the offices of political parties, media houses, and municipal vehicles, as well as the looting in the name of the protest on Friday in the Tinkune area,” said the two umbrella bodies of 753 local units.

“The complete disregard for the minimum standards required while exercising democratic rights demands the parties involved in organising the protest be brought strictly under the law. We urge the government to pay serious attention to this matter.”

The two umbrella bodies that unite over 35,000 elected representatives said they stand firmly against any movements and events against the federal republic. Their statement comes a day after the federal government urged the general people not to attend any violent protests staged by the ‘anti-democratic’ forces.

While condemning the acts of the pro-monarchy forces, they also have asked federal and provincial governments to promulgate laws necessary for a full-fledged implementation of the constitution.

“We sincerely request the federal and provincial governments to swiftly issue the laws necessary to institutionalise the federal democratic republic and to focus on improving service delivery and promoting good governance,” reads their statement.

Around a decade after the constitution came into force, several laws necessary for implementing federalism are yet to be promulgated.

A subpanel under the Legislation Management Committee of the National Assembly in December last year found that various ministries still need 39 bills to fully implement the statute. The constitution had set two deadlines to prepare laws for its implementation. It mandated the passage of laws related to fundamental rights within three years of the charter’s promulgation. The federal parliament endorsed the bills on 31 fundamental rights a day before the September 19, 2018 constitutional deadline.

As per the statute, the Acts that contradict the constitution must have been revised within a year since the first meeting of the federal parliament on March 5, 2018. Though several laws were enacted, dozens are still awaiting parliamentary approval.

The winter session of federal parliament was also not productive in passing the laws. It was prorogued on Tuesday without endorsing the crucial bills. It failed to endorse bills such as those on federal civil service and school education. Both laws are essential for implementing the 2015 constitution.