Janakpurdham, November 2

Leaders of the United Democratic Madhesi Front today said people should brace themselves for a more difficult time ahead as the front had decided to intensify its agitation.

Speaking at an interaction held by Janakpur Chambers of Commerce, the leaders came down heavily on people who have been demanding an end to the ongoing agitation and urged them to express solidarity with their fight for rights.

“Around 100 Madhesi people have already sacrificed their lives fighting the hegemony of khas community in the country. People from all walks of life should take part in our agitation so that we may finally be able to enjoy our rights,” said Upendra Yadav, chairman of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal. “Though we have been agitating for the past 80 days, the government seems indifferent to our demands,” said Yadav. He accused the government of using force to thwart their peaceful protest.

He reminded that it was their third movement in the Tarai for their rights. “The government promulgated the new constitution ignoring past agreements with the Madhes-based forces,” he said. Yadav also accused the security forces of torching tents while the demonstrators were staging a sit-in at the Birgunj border checkpoint.

Speaking on the occasion, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahanth Thakur urged businessmen and entrepreneurs to participate in the agitation. “Now is the time to sacrifice, not to calculate profit and loss,” he argued. He said the Madhesi people were fighting their last battle for freedom from centuries of slavery.

Sadbhavana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato said, “If we fail to establish our rights now, we will never be able to reclaim it.” He also hailed the youth’s participation in the agitation. “We are not going step back on any body’s request or warning,” he argued.

Mahendra Yadav, chairman of Tarai Madhesh Sadbhawana Party, urged the Madhesi supporters take the protest to a new height, saying the government was trying to suppress the agitation by using force. “Our agitation will continue until the government addresses our demands,” he said.

Shiva Shankar Prasad Sah, president of Janakpur Chamber of Commerce and Nirmal Kumar Chaudhary, former central member of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries, among other entrepreneurs, had briefed the agitating leaders about the problems they had been facing due to the ongoing Madhes agitation.