Nepal Government Thursday agreed to hold decisive talks with parties agitating over the new Constitution and withdraw army from violence-hit Terai region bordering India, one of the major pre-conditions for talks set by the protesting groups.
The decision was taken after three major political parties Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) held a meeting at Prime Minister Sushil Koirala’s official residence at Baluwatar.
UCPN-Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said, it was decided in the meeting to recall soldiers on condition that the Madhesi groups will stage peaceful protests. The Madhesi parties are opposed to the new Constitution adopted through the Constituent Assembly.
Madhesis are Indian-origin people living on the foothills of Nepal’s Terai region. More than 40 people have died in southern and western Nepal where Madhesi parties and Tharu ethnic groups have been protesting for more than a month over splitting the country into seven provinces.
They are demanding more rights and representation to the marginalized communities as well as reforms in the current citizenship regulations.
Nepal PM cancels US visit
Meanwhile Amid continued tensions in Nepal over its New Constitution, Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had to cancel his plans to visit the US to attend the UN General Assembly session.
Promulgation of the new Constitution in Nepal has triggered deadly protests in the Terai areas bordering India. Koirala cancelled his visit to hold talks with the Madhesi and other regional groups opposed to the Constitution adopted on Sunday.
The Madhesi, Tharu and other tribal parties are opposed to the new Nepalese Constitution promulgated Sunday last.
More than 40 people have died in southern and western Nepal where Madhesi parties and Tharu ethnic groups have been protesting for more than a month over splitting the country into seven provinces.
India has expressed serious concerns over the situation in Nepal and urged the Koirala Government to take all groups on board and solve the problem politically.