KATHMANDU: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday observed that the Madhesi parties' act of obstructing leaders of other parties in various district from carrying out their activities was against democratic norms and values as well as legally punishable.

Expressing its concerns over activities of the protesting United Democratic Madhesi Front in Dhanusha among other districts recently, the constitutional human rights watchdog urged protesting parties and their cadres to respect democratic norms and values during their agitation.

Recently, the UDMF leaders and cadres in various Tarai districts had obstructed movement of leaders of Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN-Maoist as well as local conventions of the NC.

They had also vandalised houses of some NC lawmakers in Dhanusha district and foiled the party's local conventions.

Meanwhile, the Commission urged the government to assure free treatment to victims of various police-protester clashes.

The statement issued by the Commission Spokesperson Mohna Ansari also called both the government and the protesters to maintain restraint to avoid any violent clash.