Kathmandu, February 10:

Tharu leaders at a programme today demanded Tharuhat autonomous region with proportionate election system based on population.

“The government should declare the Tharuhat autonomous region at the places of indigenous Tharu people where proportionate election system should be implemented on the basis of population,” president of the Nepal Loktantrik Tharu Sangh (NLTS) Purushottam Chaudhary said at the inaugural function of the Sangh here today.

Member of Legislative Parliament from CPN-UML Parvati Chaudhary said the UML should implement what it has been saying on the issues of indigenous nationalities. “Inclusive democracy should be practiced right from the bottom level,” she said, adding women’s participation should also be practiced from the local level only.

A 15-member executive committee of the NLTS, close to CPN UML, has been formed under the leadership of Purushottam Chaudhary. Fulmati Chaudhary has been selected as the vice-president, Jibachh Chaudhary as secretary, Ghanashyam Chaudhary as joint secretary and Manju Chaudhary as treasurer of the newly formed committee.

Other members of the NLTS are Rajendra Prasad Chaudhary, Ganesh Chaudhary, Ram Lal Chaudhary, Roshan Prasad Chaudhary, Om Narayan Chaudhary, Dev Bhaju Das Chaudhary, Yogendra Chaudhary, Ramananda Chaudhary and Ramananda Chaudhary.

Speakers at the programme lauded the need to fight for the rights of the Tharu people who have been suppressed for centuries.