KATHMANDU, August 10

Expressing serious objection to the demarcation of the six-Pradesh model of the Constitutional Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee (CPDCC), various indigenous and Madhesi forces have decided to join hands for a joint movement.

Tharuhat/Tharuwan Struggle Committee on Monday organised a press meeting to inform the media that they would organise torch rallies in all 23 districts of Tharuhat tomorrow and a general strike from Wednesday till August 17. Demanding that all the Tarai districts should not be joined with any hilly Pradesh and members of federal parliament and Pradesh parliament besides the election constituencies should be determined on the basis of population, TSC has started the movement.

According to Gopal Dahit the TSC includes Tharu Welfare Society, Tharu CA members Struggle Committee and Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee.

Dahit further said the Tharu-Madhesi Struggle Committee (TMSC) is also preparing to reveal their struggle plan tomorrow. He said the TMSC includes United Democratic Madhesi Front, Madhesi Civil Society and Madhesi CA members Club besides TSC.

Another meeting of the leaders of Janajati-based parties has decided to begin struggle jointly with religious organisations and Madhesi forces for which on Monday they formed a Joint National Front.

The front includes Indigenous Nationalities National Movement Nepal led by Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Dharma Nirpekshyata Samrakshyan Mahasamiti, Samriddhar Madhesi Nagarik Abhiyan and Madhesi National Struggle Committee.

According to Pasang Sherpa, the Joint National Front will organise a press meet tomorrow to inform about JNF and its plans.

Meanwhile, the joint front of nine parties including UDMF and CPN-Maoist-led 33-party front and Janajati parties have decided to organise a nationwide general strike on August 16 and 17.

Earlier, they had called a one-day strike for August 16 only.

The joint front have demanded annulment of the draft constitution.