Madhesis agree to resolve crisis after Opposition talks

Nepal’s main Opposition party Nepali Congress and the agitating group of Indian-origin Madhesis have agreed to quickly resolve the current political crisis due to the ongoing blockade of key border trade points with India.

The Nepali Congress and representatives of the United Madhesi Democratic Front met at Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala’s residence at Maharjgunj here on Saturday. During the meeting, they held discussions on contemporary issues and the ongoing unrest in the Terai region, and agreed to resolve the current political crisis as soon as possible. The Nepali Congress urged the front to support resolving the crisis through the Constitution amendment process as the bill related to the same has been tabled in the Parliament. The party also asked the front to forge consensus on the bill so it could be revised, including the front’s demands. In response, the Front asked for a clear roadmap of Nepali Congress in revising the demarcation of provinces, citing that the bill could not address the delineation issues. According to Nepali Congress spokesperson Dilendra Badu, Saturday’s meeting discussed ways to address the demands of the front. He added that Nepali Congress urged the front to be responsible to sort out the problem through dialogue and consensus.

Meanwhile, a Class 10 Madhesi student was shot and killed by the police on Sunday during clashes in southern Nepal, an official said as a fresh round of protest by the Indian-origin Madhesis engulfed the region.

Eighteen-year-old Tavrej Alam was shot and killed by the police when a crowd of about 1,500 demonstrators started throwing stones and bottles at the police. Alam, a 10th grader at Juddha Higher Secondary School, was rushed to Rautahat District Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

Medical superintendent Krishna Sha said Alam died due to injuries in kidney and private parts. Witnesses claimed that the police personnel had kicked him with boots even after he was hit by the bullet.