Damauli, August 15

The joint Political Dalit Struggle Committee, Tanahun, today staged an alertness rally demanding mandatory reservation and guarantee of their rights in Damauli.

The alertness rally was taken out seeking 10 per cent, 5 per cent and 3 per cent reservation in local, provincial and central government bodies in the new statute for Dalits.

The rally that started from Ansan Chowk converged into a mass meeting at the same place after taking a round of Damauli bazaar. The rally played traditional musical instruments and held banners. Participants shouted slogans asking the government to meet their demands.

At the mass meet, Nepali Congress central member Min Biswokarma warned of stern protests if their demands were not addressed in the new statute. People from Dalit communities from three constituencies participated the rally.

Meanwhile, different Dalit groups staged a demonstration demanding a Dalit-friendly constitution at Panchthar headquarters, Phidim today.

Dalit organisations affiliated to NC, UML and UCPN-Maoist had taken part in the rally coordinated by Nepal Dalit Union.

At the mass meet after the rally, Dalit Union District Chairman Bimal Dhamala warned of giving continuity to the agitation if their demands were not met.