Short Relief
After the address by the Prime Minister conceding their demands, MJF has announced suspension of their strikes for ten days
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
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Sitaula : Will he or won't he? |
After three-weeks of Terai turmoil, which was mysteriously generated and equally mysteriously spread across the southern plains, the country has once again returned to the semblance of normalcy. But there are enough fissures that could suddenly erupt anytime holding the whole country to ransom.
In his second address (Feb 7) to the people within one week, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala conceded to all demands raised by Terai demonstrators. The eight parties reached an understanding to meet their demands promising fresh delineation of electoral constituencies based on population and geographic appropriateness.
PM Koirala vowed to increase the constituencies in Madhes based on population and hold elections (for the Constituent Assembly) based on Proportional Representation system on the increased constituencies also. The constituencies in Terai will now be increased.
After his address, the eight parties have initiated efforts to amend the interim constitution to incorporate these new agreements. PM Koirala also expressed the government's determination to ensure participation of Madhesi, Janajati, Dalit, women and backward communities at all organs of the state.
The PM's address was drafted as per the written agreement signed by leaders of the eight parties. The signatories include Sushil Koirala, vice president of Nepali Congress; Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of UML; Maoist chairman Prachanda; Gopal Man Shrestha, vice president of NC-Democratic; Bharat Bimal Yadav, vice president of NSP (Anandidevi); Narayan Man Bijukchhe, president of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP); Amik Sherchan, president of People's Front; and CP Mainali, president of Left Front. Reacting to the media after the PM's address Rajendra Mahato, general secretary of NSP-Anandidevi said that this will fulfill the demands raised by people of Madhes.
The PM's address, however, has not fully satisfied the agitators led by Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) – which spearheaded the three-week-long Terai unrest. The Forum has announced suspension of strikes and bandhs for ten days to give time to the government to create conductive atmosphere for talks.
MJF president Upendra Yadav said they still had reservations over the PM's address. "We take his statement positively though it still doesn't address our demands of inclusive federal republic system of governance with the right to autonomy and self-determination and proportional representation elections," he said. He also added that Home Minister Krishna Sitaula has to resign and a panel of investigation formed to probe incidents in Terai, where, he said, 38 people have lost their lives and over 200 have been injured during the unrest. "We are against the idea of going for a separate state as accused by some quarters," he said.
On the other hand, the two factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) have not shown any indication that they would be laying down arms and ending their armed revolt in Terai anytime soon.
After three weeks of ceaseless violence and riots, parts of Terai reverted to normalcy after the PM's address. But it is not clear how long this stability will remain since the government has not yet sat down for talks with the MJF.
Yadav has already given a stern warning that they will not sit for talks if the Home Minister doesn't resign. "He has committed genocide in Madhes. His resignation is connected with the sentiments of Madhesi people," he said. Yadav's warning has not been heeded even after five days have passed out of his ten-day ultimatum. Home Minister Krishna Sitaula – who enjoys wide support from a section of general public as well as the Prime Minister and Maoist chairman – has said that he will remain in the post as long as PM chooses.
The government's talks team led by Agriculture Minister Mahantha Thakur (and including two members: Rajendra Pandey, Local Development Minister and Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, State Minister for Water Resources) has already written letter to MJF, JTMM and indigenous organizations inviting them for talks. The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NFIN), too, has formed a talks committee headed by Dr. Om Gurung to hold talks with the government. However, the NFIN has said they will continue their street agitation along with talks. They have demanded federal autonomous state based on ethnic groups along with right to self determination; change in national animal; national color and so on.
Other organizations like Tharu Kalyankari Sabha (Tharu Welfare Assembly) and Federal Republican Forum (FRF) have also started their agitation. As the Constituent Assembly elections approach, the various demands and agitations by various ethnic organizations have become a serious problem for the government.
