Kathmandu, August 18

The government today fulfilled a major demand of the agitating Madhes-based parties by implementing second point of the three-point agreement reached between them and the Nepali Congress and CPN-Maoist Centre on August 3, paving way to bring agitating Madhesis on board the government and implement constitution.

Federal Alliance of the disgruntled parties had voted for Pushpa Kamal Dahal in the election for prime minister following the agreement.

A Cabinet meeting held today declared 52 people, including 11 security personnel, killed during Tarai-Madhes movement since the Constituent Assembly promulgated new constitution on September 20 martyrs.

Families of each martyr will get Rs 1 million as relief. Ten security personnel were killed in Tikapur incident and one in Mahottari.

It formed a seven-member probe commission headed by former Supreme Court justice Girish Chandra Lal to probe into incidents of killing, arson, vandalism and violence during the Madhes movement, according to Minister of Information and Communications Ram Karki.

Ministry of Home Affairs will designate six other names in consultation with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

“The Home Ministry has already begun the work of withdrawing cases filed against the agitators. Since it involves legal procedures in courts and Office of Attorney General, it may take some time,” said MoHA Spokesperson Yadav Koirala.

Some more names as proposed by the agitating parties for declaring them martyrs are being verified, according to him.

Sadbhawana Party leader Laxman Lal Karna said the Federal Alliance would decide to join the government after the constitution amendment bill proceeded to address the agitators’ concerns and lawsuits against them were withdrawn.

“Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi has said in recent talks that the government will form a team by including all sides to work on the bill soon. Let’s hope, it will happen soon,” Karna said.

The government had already decided to provide compensation to the victims of Madhes movement and pay the expenses incurred during the treatment of injured.

Today’s Cabinet meeting also agreed in principle to allow concerned ministries to draft laws for local bodies’ elections, according to Karki, who was designated as the government’s spokesperson.

The Cabinet also decided to make immediate payment of expenses Rs. 9.1 million made while bringing 13 bodies of Nepalis killed in an attack in Kabul on June 20 and arranging treatment of six injured.

The Cabinet also decided to upgrade Joint Secretary of National Planning Commission to Secretary.