Kathmandu, September 16

United Democratic Madhesi Front reviewed the ongoing agitation and decided to continue their general strike.

General Secretary of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Sarvendranath Shukla said the front would take a final decision on the next phase of struggle tomorrow. He, however, said the leaders were of the view that the government was making propaganda about talks but was not serious.

General Secretary of Sadbhawana Party Manish Kumar Suman said the leaders were of the view that on September 20, the scheduled day for celebrating the promulgation of the new constitution, the UDMF should organise a blackout and mass demonstration against the constitution.

“We are of the view that the government has adopted the strategy of repressing our movement. So, we will have to prepare for a long battle,” Suman said, adding that the front would continue with its general strike for the time being.

After the constitution is promulgated on September 20, Suman said, there will be clear demarcation between those Madhesi forces that will accept the current constitution and those that will not. He said the UDMF might think of quitting Parliament then and could also urge Madhesi MPs of other parties to follow suit.

Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal leaders Upendra Yadav, Ashok Kumar Rai, Rajendra Shrestha, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party leaders Mahantha Thakur, Hridayesh Tripathi and Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party leader Mahendra Ray Yadav also attended the meeting called by UDMF.

Three leaders held

NAWALPARASI: Nawalparasi police on Wednesday briefly detained three leaders affiliated to United Democratic Madhesi Front while they were enforcing market closure in Bhairahawa. UDMF cadres and leaders had hit the street to protest the killing of four people at Bethari, Rupandehi on Monday.

The arrested are Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Rupandehi Chairman Ajay Berma, Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party Chairman Shree Niwas Yadav and Aasish Giri from Milan Chowk.

Rupandehi Police chief SP Rajendra Dhakal said police had released the three leaders in the presence of UDMF Rupandehi district coordinator Mahendra Yadav on the condition that they would not enforce market shutdown.

Four persons including a four-year-old boy were killed when agitators clashed with police personnel who were escorting trucks out of the Lumbini Corridor at Bethari on Tuesday. More than 20 persons including agitators and police personnel were injured in the incident.