Kathmandu, August 23

The Sharat Singh Bhandari-led National Madhes Socialist Party has decided to impose indefinite general strike in Madhes from today under its second phase programme.

The NMSP issued a press release today saying the major parties had responded only to the grievances of Karnali, Surkhet and Thori residents and not to Madhesis and Tharus. The Party has demanded two provinces in Madhes — one from Jhapa to Parsa and another from Chitwan to Kanchanpur.

Party Spokesperson Keshav Jha said his party was in favour of having Chure districts — Udaypur, Sindhuli and Makwanpur in Madhes province from Jhapa to Parsa. He also said Chure areas from Chitwan to Kanchanpur should also be in the Tharuhat province. He said his party would soon decide whether it would launch a fierce protest programme along with the United Democratic Madhesi Front or separately.

The party demanded formation of separate constitutional commissions for Muslims, indigenous nationalities and Madhesis.

NMSP supported United Democratic Madhesi Front’s demand to declare Rajiv Raut, who was killed in police firing in Bhardah, a martyr and provide compensation to the families of the deceased.

The party said that   Thori VDC and Nawalparasi district were divided mainly due to communal mindset and it could not accept such divisions.