Kathmandu, November 17
Former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana has passed away. He died today at 2 pm while undergoing treatment at Frontline Hospital, his nephew Suraj Bhattarai informed Onlinekhabar.
Dhungana was receiving treatment for liver-related complications. He served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1991 to 1994 and was also a senior advocate.
He played a significant role in bringing the then-rebel Maoists into the peace process.
Beginning his political journey during the Panchayat era by forming student organisations, Dhungana later became recognised as a senior advocate, human rights activist, and a prominent leader of civil society. He was elected General Secretary of the Nepal Bar Association in 1972 and was also involved in journalism and teaching.
After being elected as a member of the House of Representatives from Kathmandu in 1991, he became the Speaker. Following his defeat to Bidya Devi Bhandari in the midterm elections of 1994, Dhungana became actively involved in the peace movement, serving as a facilitator in government-Maoist peace talks.
