Kathmandu, March 10:

Minister for General Administration Dharma Nath Shah today said that the government will go “tough” on the agitating groups in Tarai if they continue strikes and do not come to the talks table even after the amendment to the interim constitution.

Speaking at the Reporters’ Club, Shah said: “The government is not going to remain silent if the groups continue their agitation even after this amendment and do not come to the talks table with their demands.”

He said that the government has repeatedly urged the Goit faction and the Singh faction to hold talks and solve problems through talks, but they are blocking the way to the solution for unknown reasons.

“The agitating groups are looking for excuses to run away from talks so that they could continue the programmes. This way, they are trying to mislead the whole Tarai residents,” he said.

Shah promised to form a committee to investigate the loses and damages due to the agitation. NC leader Dr Ram Baran Yadav said the strikes and other protests are meaningless as almost all of their demands have been met through the amendment to the constitution.

“The Madheshi Andolan was genuine but it was also backed by all regressive forces, from Badri Prasad Mandal to Bimal Shriwastab were playing their roles to have statues of democratic leaders demolished. It was in the hands of hooligans who even tried to set fire to my home,” he charged.

Rajendra Mahato, general secretary of the NSP (Anandidevi), said that the Madheshi community should stop all strikes and other protest programmes and reserve their strength for the constituent assembly election.

He also demanded that a commission headed by a Madheshi citizen be formed immediately to investigate damages and losses during the Tarai agitation.

Umakanta Chaudhari of the NC-D said 80 per cent of the demands by the Madheshi community have been met by the amendment to the constitution.

‘Royal property details soon’

KATHMANDU: Minister Shah on Saturday said the government will acquire the details of the property of king Gyanendra and late king Birendra in a week. “The committee to probe the king’s property has taken steps on finding out the land property, cash, deposit in Nepali and foreign banks, shares in hotels and other industries and so on,” he said at Reporters’ Club. Shah coordinates the three-member committee, which sent a letter to the chief secretary at the Royal Palace on Thursday, seeking details of the property of the royal palace. “We are ready and prepared to look for alternatives if the king does not oblige.” — HNS