KATHMANDU: Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Chairman Mahantha Thakur said that his party would not sit for talks until the government halted the constitution drafting process.

Speaking at a programme organised at the Reporters' Club in the Capital on Wednesday, he said that his party would come to the negotiating table only if the government halted the ongoing process to endorse the Revised Bill of the Constitution.

Thakur said that the atmosphere for talks would be created only if the government expressed its commitment to address the past agreements signed with Madhesi parties, withdraw Nepal Army and Armed Police Force from Tarai districts, give martyrdom status for those who were killed during the recent protests and manage free treatment for the injured.

"Security personnel have been assaulting locals by entering their houses and misbehaving with women. How can we sit for talks in this situation?" he questioned.

"There is no conducive environment for talks, we will not hold talks," Thakur said.