Kathmandu, December 27

United Democratic Madhesi Front today condemned yesterday’s police action   against agitators in Biratnagar that resulted in injuries to Sadbhawana Party Chair Rajendra Mahato and other protesters.

Issuing a press release here today, the front wished speedy recovery to Mahato and all those who were injured in police action.

The front issued directives to its partner organisations to continue its peaceful agitation.

The front condemned what it called the state’s repressive policies against the Madhes movement. It demanded a judicial probe into yesterday’s incident and punishment for the guilty.

“The government should desist from preventing people from resorting to peaceful agitation,” UDMF said in its release adding that the government should stop indicting people in false cases and making arrests without ground for such actions.

The release was signed jointly by Chair of Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Upendra Yadav, Senior Vice-chair of SP Narsingh Chaudhari, Chair of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Mahantha Thakur and Chair of Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party-Nepal Mahendra Ray Yadav.

TMDP’s Vice-chair Brikhesh Chandra Lal said a UDMF meeting discussed their agitation strategies and may come up with fresh agitation programmes after a few days. Lal said UDMF leaders were of the view that the major parties were not serious about settling constitutional issues through dialogue.

“We were told that the big three parties would hold dialogue with us at 4:00pm today, but we did not get any information from them,” Lal said and added that UDMF was committed to seek resolution of their issues through dialogue.