Party leaders seek to soothe tension in district

Dhangadi, August 31

A week after the violence in Tikapur that cost the lives of eight people, including an SSP and a child, political parties in the district are trying to ease the tension to ensure goodwill and harmony between the Tharu and hill communities in the district.

Party leaders began a discussion today to narrow the rift between the communities through dialogue and interaction.

Breaking the long silence, party leaders today reached Tikapur and initiated a discussion for dialogue. Nepali Congress Kailali President Narnarayan Shah said they would expedite talks. “We have started discussion as there is no alternative to living in peace and harmony between Tharus and hill people,” Shah said.

CPN-UML Kailali Chairman Dhirgha Sodari said his party had directed to the party rank and file to stay away from communal and regional agitation. Sodari stressed the need to bridge the distance between Tharus and hilly people and keep the goodwill intact. Sodari demanded an investigation into Tikapur incident and action against the guilty. “Everyone can raise their voice for rights, but, violence is unacceptable,” Sodari added.

UCPN-Maoist Kailali Chairman Lal Bahadur Sodari said party leaders would go to the community and help organise interaction between Tharus and hilly people. National Janamorcha Kailali Chairman Khadak Rana said Tharus and hilly people had no choice but to live in peace and harmony. Rana added that his party did not believe in communal politics.

Kailali CDO Mohan Chapagain said Kailali was in need of facilitators to heal the social division brought about by the Tikapur incident. “Political party leaders have begun discussion. But, some facilitators are required to aid them”, Chapagain said.

Seniors and leaders of Tharuhat Struggle Committee have already expressed their desire to sit for talks at the initiative of any party or organisation. They clarified that the goal of their agitation was not a separate Tharuhat state but for guarantee of rights in the new statute.

Tharu Welfare Assembly Kailali Chairman Lahuram Chaudhary said that central leaders should take the responsibility as the Kailali incident occurred at their direction.

Meanwhile, a five-member parliamentary study team has arrived in Kailali to study the carnage there.

Curfew continues into seventh day

DHANGADI: The curfew imposed by Kailali DAO since August 24 continued on Monday too. DAO had declared 10 VDCs including Tikapur Municipality riot-hit areas after eight personnel including SSP Laxman Neupane and one toddler were killed in Tikapur. Kailali CDO Mohan Chapagain said curfew was clamped in Dhangadi from 11:00am to 4:00pm.

FNJ team in Kailali

DHANGADI: A team from Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) arrived in Kailali to take stock of the situation and problems facing journalists during bandhs. The FNJ team met agitators, local administration and journalists in Tikapur and Dhangadi on Sunday and Monday. The team quizzed journalists about the threat issued by agitators.

Eight more held for carnage

DHANGADI: Kailali police on Monday arrested eight more people for their alleged involvement in the violence there. The arrested are: Jit Bahadur Tharu, Brijmohan Tharu, Rajesh Tharu, Sanatram Tharu, Rajesh Chaudhary, Kisan Tharu, Sitaldas Chaudhary, among others. They were held from Nawalpur, Thapapur, Khira and Gaindachaur of Thapapur VDC. CDO Mohan Chapagain said investigation was under way and if they were proved innocent they would be freed. Earlier, police had caught ten people for their alleged involvement in the killing. Of them, three were freed on bail while seven were slapped with murder charge.