CA statute opinion team faces Tharus’ wrath

Dhangadhi, March 3:

Tharu activists gheraoed a CA team led by Madhav Kumar Nepal that arrived in Dhangadhi today to collect public opinions on new constitution. They also disrupted an all-party all-side meeting called by the team in DDC hall.

The Tharu activists started shouting slogans against the government for enlisting Tharus as Madhesis as the meeting was progressing. The Tharu Welfare Council has imposed a three-day Tharuhat bandh since yesterday to protest the government decision.

Kailali chapter president of Tharu Welfare Council Bhanuram Chaudhary said their agitation would continue till the government removes Tharus from the list of Madhesis.

The meeting was shortened after the Tharu activists started shouting slogans. The CA members, including Nepal, hurriedly came out of the hall when the Tharu activists tried to lock them inside the hall.

The Tharu activists had initially asked Tharu CA members of the team — Krishna Chaudhary and Birman Chaudhary — to boycott the meeting. The duo had joined the meeting after assuring the protesters of addressing their demands.

CA member Bhim Rawal said the team had expected to receive some suggestions at the end of the meeting, but that could not happen due to the protest. The team has been assigned to collect opinions from Kanchanpur and Dadeldhura.

The team has also been facing problems due to the strike of students in both the districts, who have been demanding establishment of a university in the far-west.