KATHMANDU, August 1

Janajati and Madhesi forces on Saturday announced separate protest programmes but have said they were discussing joint movements against provisions in the draft constitution.

A meeting of United Democratic Madhesi Front on Saturday announced a five-day protest programme against the draft constitution from August 4.

According to a press release, the UDMF will organise corner meetings in all election constituencies from August 4 to August 8 and protest rallies in Dhankuta and Nepalgunj on August 5.

Indigenous Nationalities National Movement (INNM) Nepal has announced demonstrations throughout the nation including the one in Kathmandu on World Indigenous Day – August 9.

Spokesperson of INNM Dr Om Gurung said on Saturday’s meeting also decided to hold talks with like-minded forces, including Madhesi, Dalit and other organisations affiliated to different political parties for joint movement.

In the second phase programme, the front will organise protest rallies in Birtamod and Dhangadi on August 6 and in Hetauda on August 9. The UDMF will hold review and preparatory meetings for a movement on August 8.

UDMF issued a press release saying if the new constitution was promulgated against the past agreements, it would burn its copies from the next day and begin protest. Sadbhawana Party General Secretary Manish Kumar Suman said the front would announce next phase protest programmes if the signatories of the 16-point agreement did heed their demands. Suman said the UDMF would intensify talks with other Janajati and Dalit outfits to create a united front against the draft constitution.

He said Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chair Mahantha Thakur, who had met the prime minister recently, told UDMF leaders that none should doubt his commitment to the Madhesi cause. “I was associated with Congress for long and yet they could not convince me. Now when I am not in their party, how can they convince me?” Thakur told UDMF leaders. Thakur told the four parties’ leaders that the Madhesis wanted a constitution framed on the basis of the Interim Constitution, he said. “You are free not to address our demands and we are also free to resort to protest for amending the constitution,” Suman quoted Thakur.