Kathmandu, February 11:

Members of Parliament (MPs) representing Madhes today demanded Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula’s resignation on moral grounds, for the Terai violence that left dozens of people killed. On contrary, Maoist MPs speaking at the special hour at the legislature parliament supported Sitaula.

“The Home Minister must resign on moral grounds because he has been working like Kamal Thapa in suppressing the peaceful movement,” said MP Surendra Chaudhari.

“The parties and Maoists are travelling together on the basis of various political agreements and not because of the Home Minister,” said Chaudhari.

He also demanded declaration of those killed in Terai violence as martyrs and formation of a high-level commission for investigating the Terai issue.

“Such a commission, if formed, would not be able to investigate fairly until the Home Minister resigns. Those injured during the Terai movement should get compensation equal to those injured in Jana Andolan II,” said Chaudhari.

Maoist MP Mahendra Yadav asked the Sitaula to apprise the parliament on the Terai movement. Another Maoist MP, Janardan Sharma, however, supported Home Minister stating that his party would give Sitaula space if he is expelled from Nepali Congress.

He also demanded the government to immediately release funds for proper infrastructure and logistics for the Maoists People’s Liberation Army (PLA) cantonments or the PLA would shift their cantonments at Tudikhel.

Demanding the formation of interim government at the earliest, he said his party fully supported Home Minister Sitaula.

MP Hari Narayan Chaudhari also sought Sitaula’s resignation.

MP Lila Mani Pokhrel of Janamorcha Nepal demanded the government to clarify on the controversial statement by Brg Gen Dilip Shumsher Rana.

MP Sunil Prajapati of Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (NWPP) sought provision of opposition leader in the parliament. MP Chitra Bahadur KC of Janamorcha Nepal also told the government to take the responsibility for the Terai violence.

Speaker of the legislature parliament, Subas Nembang, promised that he would draw the government’s concern for clarifying the parliament on its view on Terai issue.