Decision on fresh protest put off

KATHMANDU: The United Democratic Madhesi Front, which called its meeting to discuss next phase of protest programmes on Friday, postponed its meeting till Saturday. According to Brikhesh Chandra Lal, Vice-chairperson of the Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, the front decided to postpone the meeting till Saturday, as the top leaders of the front had a meeting with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman. He, however, said the leaders dwelt on how to help the injured Madhesi protesters and discussed reports about the injured protesters. General Secretary of Manish Kumar Suman of the Sadbhawana Party said the meeting did not discuss next phase of protest programmes also because a meeting between the task forces of the three major parties and the UDMF was scheduled for Friday evening. A UDMF source said the top leaders were hopeful of progress in the talks with the major parties and positive impact of Feltman’s visit to Nepal and wanted to take a few days more before announcing fresh protest plan.