Kathmandu, March 12:

Putting forth three major demands, the United Muslim National Struggle Committee today announced a protest plan, including a series of bandhs, against the government.

Their demands include amendment to the interim constitution to clarify the identity of the Muslim community, formation of a separate National Muslim Commission and a fresh census to ascertain the authentic population of the Muslim community.

Claiming that the government failed to address their demands, the committee announced the protest plan. The plan includes a protest rally and a mass meet tomorrow, Kathmandu Valley bandh on Sunday, eastern region bandh on March 22, western region bandh on March 23, central region bandh on March 25 and mid-western region bandh on March 27.

Convener of the committee Taj Mohammed Miya claimed that they were compelled to announce the protests as the joint movement with the Tharus and other indigenous communities were not fruitful to them. “The government forced us to take to the streets,” he claimed at a press conference organised to announce the protests here today.

Miya, however, claimed that the committee would move ahead in coordination with the agitating Tharus and other indigenous communities. “We will sit for the talks with the government along with the other agitating groups,” he added.

As part of the protest programmes, the committee organised a torch rally this evening from Ratnapark that went through Bagbazaar and Putalisadak before it was wrapped up at Old Bus Park.