Janakpurdham, November 1

A meeting of United Democratic Madhesi Front today decided to intensify its agitation.

Issuing a press statement after concluding its two-day meeting in Janakpur, the front said it had decided to intensify the general strike, obstruction at border points and closure of private and public institutions, including industries and factories.

The meeting concluded that the government was just staging the farce of holding dialogue with the front to prolong the dialogue.

A press statement asked the government to be serious about making the dialogue meaningful and productive. “Banks and financial institutions have to waive the interest and penalty for the agitation period,” the statement read.

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The front has warned of giving continuity to the agitation until the government addresses the issues and agendas raised by the Madhesi, Tharus, indigenous communities, Dalits and Muslims.

Sadbhawana Party central member Kameswor Jha said the meeting had delegated power to the district level leaders to ease the agitation during Tihar and Chhath festivals.

Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur said the front would intensify its agitation as the government was reluctant to settle the problem. Thakur warned UDM would quit talks if the government does not make dialogue result-oriented.

“We are not against dialogue,” said Federal Socialist Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav, but asked the government to be serious. “We shall wait till the next talks. If it does not present itself responsibly, we shall reconsider our position,” added Yadav.

Yadav said since the agitation was political, the solution had to be sought politically too. “People in the plains are fighting for political rights. Thus, import of fuel from this or that country does not matter,” Yadav added.

Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato argued that the front would not shut the door for dialogue if their demands were met. “The government has not come prepared for talks but we will sit for talks to solve the problem,” he added.

Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party Chairman Mahendra Ray Yadav warned of intensifying their obstruction at the border points. Stating that all the tactics of the government to suppress the agitation had failed, Yadav warned that the front would intensify its obstruction at the border points. The meeting also decided to forge alliance with all agitating parties and groups to make a single front.