Far-west talks team sets-off to capital

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

DHANGADHI: Demonstrators, who for the past 13 days were demanding intact far-west in the new constitution, today formed a jumbo talks team to hold talks with the government.

According to Kailali Chief District Officer Kailash Kumar Bajimaya, a talk team comprising 52 members has been formed including representatives from almost all areas of the region.

According to CDO Bajmiya the talks team include, Gopal Deuba, Hari Regmi, Hemanta Regmi, Rom Swar from Dhangadi; while Gokarna Bhatta, Birendra Bhatta, Nandaraj Bhatta and Krishna Subedi have been selected from Attariya.

Similarly, Mohanraj Sharma has been appointed as a talk team member from entrepreneurs; while Ram Samaj Chaudhari would represent the ethnic group in the talk team.

In the same manner, 10 have been appointed from Kanchhanpur district, four from Dadeldhura, three from Doti and one from Accham.

Puskharraj Joshi, coordinator of the Far-Western Awareness Forum and member of the talks team informed that the entire team have gone to Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Earlier, protestors in Kailali had demanded that the government’s talks team should come to the far-west for negotiations, however the team has now agreed to go to Kathmandu to hold talks with other stakeholders besides the government, said Hari Regmi, talk team member from Dhangadi district.

Meanwhile, the government had formed a talk team comprising Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Sitaula, minister without portfolio Barshaman Pun and Minister for Irrigation Mahendra Yadav to hold talks with the far-west representatives. The team is supposed to commence the talk from Thursday.

Despite the far-west team going to the Capital to hold discussions with the government, protestors took out a rally from various places in Kailai including Dhangadi for the 13 consecutive day today. Former law maker Hiradatta Bhatta RPP leader Birendra Bam, NC leader Lekhraj Joshi including others addressed the corner meet at Chauraha.

The protestors have made it clear that they would take demonstration and talks ahead simultaneously. People of Rana Tharu community demonstrated in Dhangadi today demanding to declare Kailali and Kanchhanpur districts as Rana Tharu Independent State.