DHANGADHI: The Tharuhat-Tharuwan National Conference concluded with the formation of Tharuhat-Tharuwan National Front in Tikapur, Kailali district on Monday.

The 51-member front was formed in coordination with Tharuhat leader Laxman Tharu during the Tharuhat-Tharuwan National Conference.

The three-day event, which took place on August 24, 25 and 26 coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Tikapur carnage, witnessed the presence of thousands of Tharus from across the country. Eight persons, including seven policemen and a minor, were killed in a violent confrontation in Tikapur during the Tharuhat-Tharuwan agitation on August 24, four years ago. Subsequently, 11 persons including Resham Lal Chaudhary, who was later elected as an MP, are in prison after the court convicted them for the incident and slapped them with life imprisonment.

According to the Front's spokesperson Minraj Chaudhary, the conference concluded unveiling the 15-point proclamation that said the conference brought the Tharuhat movement to a new height showing solidarity with the partisans seeking Tharu identity. It said the conference was held for restoring harmony between the communities that fell apart following the violent incident.

Spokesperson Chaudhary said the proclamation demanded the government to make public the reports prepared by various probe panels including Girishchandra Lal related to Tarai-Madhes agitation.

The proclamation further sought action against culprits who carried out arson attacks on the infrastructures belonging to Tharu communities during curfew hours on August 25, 2015. It demanded the implementation of 13-point agreement inked between Tharu Struggle Committee and the Government at different times.

According to Spokesperson Chaudhary, the proclamation demanded that Tharu should be included in the list of indigenous nationalities and demanded the government to announce public holiday on 'Maghi' festival identifying it as a national festival. Moreover, the provincial government should announce holiday on 'Ashtimki' and 'Atwari' among other festivals in local levels, the proclamation demanded.

The Front's manifesto promised of launching 'Muthidan' — a campaign to support the poor families of Tharu martyrs, political prisoners, those injured during agitation and grant for the education of their children — in Tarai districts.

The conference decided to stir up agitation in three phases. Various organisations related to the Tharu community would be extended in the districts of Tarai in the first phase. The second phase would carry out corner meeting, protest rally and demonstration and mass meetings at 10 different places in the districts. Likewise, the Front would pin local representatives down in order to make them feel solidarity with the agitation.

Only the vehicles putting stickers bearing Tharuhat-Tharuwan Province symbol would be allowed. It has been planned to mark September 20 — The day Constitution was promulgated — as 'Black Day".

In the third phase of the agitation, the Tharuhat-Tharuwan National Front would hold baton rally, torch rally and would launch a campaign to support the movement against the government in the region where Tharus are in a majority.

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