Dhangadi, August 26

The three-day Tharuhat-Tharuwan Conference that started in Tikapur of Kailali district from Saturday concluded here today, issuing a 15-point declaration. The conference also announced stern agitation against the government.

In order to launch its agitation planned in three phases, the conference formed a 51-member Tharuhat-Tharuwan National Front under the coordination of LaxmanTharu.

While the front will launch promotional campaign for its expansion in the first phase, corner meetings, rallies and demonstrations will be held in Tarai districts in the second phase. The front also decided to observe September 20, the day when the constitution was promulgated, as a black day, when public and cargo vehicles plying in Tarai region will be made to sport stickers reading, ‘Tharuhat-Tharuwan Province.’

In the third phase of protest, stick and torch rallies will be held in Tharu-majority regions and non-cooperation agitation will be launched targeting the government.

The conference rejected the seven-province federal model and sought a separate Tharuhat-Tharuwan autonomous province based on ethnic identity.

The declaration has observed that the conference took Tharuhat agitation to a new height and unified people fighting for their identity. “Through the declaration, we’ve also asked the government to make public a number of reports kept under wraps, including one submitted by Girishchandra Lal on Tarai-Madhes agitation,” said spokesperson of the front, Minraj Chaudhary.

The declaration sought action against persons involved in vandalism and arson of property in Tharu settlements in Tikapur on August 25, four years ago.

The declaration demanded amendment to the Federal Civil Service Act and asked the Federal Public Service Commission to open vacancies for all state agencies on the basis of ethnic demography. Likewise, demands such as declaring Maghi a national festival and inclusion of left-out indigenous communities in the list of indigenous nationalities also figured in the declaration.

The declaration stated that a donation campaign would be launched in Tarai region to support families of martyrs and those incarcerated from Tharuhat community and for education of their children.