Kathmandu, February 27

The United Democratic Madhesi Front has termed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s recent visit to India a fiasco.

The UDMF issued a press statement today saying the failure of the two countries to issue a joint communiqué, Government of Nepal’s refusal to object when Nepal’s flag was not properly hoisted in Gujrat during the PM’s visit and non-incorporation of new agendas in the seven-point deal signed between the two countries proved that the PM’s visit was not a successful event.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the front today formed a seven-member secretariat to make preparations for its future agitation.

The secretariat consists of Rajendra Shrestha from the Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal, Brikhesh Chandra Lal from the Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Manish Kumar Suman from the Sadbhawana Party, Ram Naresh Ray from Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party-Nepal, Keshav Jha from National Madhes Socialist Party, Kaushalendra Mishra from Nepal Sadbhawana Party and Parmesh Kumar Sah from Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Republican.

Rajendra Mahato, chair of Sadbhawana Party, a constituent of the UDMF, said the UDMF was thinking of submitting a memorandum to the prime minister and if the government did not address their concerns then the front would wage a decisive battle. He said the government should utilise the current lull created by UDMF’s withdrawal of border blockade to address Madhes issues.

“If the government does not address Madhes movement, the UDMF would fight a decisive battle,” Mahato said and added that the secretariat would work on the forms of protests.

Mahato said a proposal was put forth in today’s meeting of the front about changing the front into a grand alliance by inducting all the parties that are not represented in the Parliament.

“We have expanded the front by inducting agitating parties that have representation in the Parliament but now we are debating about inducting all other agitating parties that do not have representation in the Parliament,” Mahato said.

The UDMF urged the government not to file false cases against agitators till a judicial probe commission is formed to investigate into the incidents during the protests.

Urging the government to stop extra judicial arrests of the agitators, the UDMF said the agitators who have been detained by the police should be released immediately. The UDMF also urged the government to provide free treatment to those who were injured during the protest and declare those who were killed during the protest as martyrs.

The front also urged the government to provide compensation to the martyrs’ families.

The government should stop appointment in the judiciary on the basis of political quota and ensure inclusive appointment in the judiciary, the UDMF said. It also demanded compensation for fire victims whose houses were gutted recently in Siraha and other districts.

The front also demanded that the government provide fuel and gas to the public without any hassles. “Even when there is no obstruction at border entry points, people are not getting fuel and cooking gas easily. This indicates that the government itself is indulging in corruption and black-marketing,” the UDMF said in its statement.

The front also urged the government to provide relief and reasonable compensation to earthquake victims. It also urged the government to waive penalties levied on transport entrepreneurs during the protest period.