The eight-point agreement between the then Seven Party Alliance and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) was signed on 28 February, 2008.

Here are the highpoints of the accord in a nutshell:

• The state shall declare all those people as martyrs, who were killed during the Madhes movement, and shall provide adequate compensation to those, who were injured and are yet to receive compensation. Similarly, medical relief should be provided to the injured. While, the martyrs must get due recognition for laying down their lives for the nation during the movement. The next of kin of the victims should get Rs 10 lakh each as compensation. Those detained during the agitation should be released immediately.

• The country should follow a federal democratic republican structure of governance. This is in sync with creating an autonomous Madhes province. The power shall be shared between the Centre and the states within the union in a clear manner as per the provisions that will be enshrined in the new constitution. The states should enjoy autonomy and attendant rights while upholding the nation's sovereignty and integrity. The Constituent Assembly (CA) should take a final call on the division of power between the centre and the newly-carved out states.

• There has to be an amendment to the legal provision as far as election of members to the CA from the Madhes is concerned. The CA Act, 2064, should be amended to increase the existing quota from 20 to 30 per cent.

• The state is bound to carry out appointments, promotions and nominations in a manner that calls for an inclusive proportional representation of the Madhesis, indigenous communities, women, Dalits, people from backward regions and minorities in all state organs, which includes the security sector as well.

• Proportional, inclusive and group entry (as in induction in the Nepali Army as a group) of Madhesis and other communities shall be ensured to give the national army an inclusive character.

• The government and the UDMF urge all armed groups in the Tarai to come forward for talks, which will help initiate peaceful political process, and find a lasting solution through a meaningful dialogue.

The government will create a congenial environment for the parleys. The CA polls, slated to be held on April 10, should be conducted in a free and fair manner.

• The government will release all those who have been detained, withdraw cases filed against Madhesi leaders, Madhesi Jananidhikar Forum cadres and other parties as well. It will also implement the 22-point agreement, which was inked between the government and the Madhesi People's Rights Forum on August 30, 2007.

• The UDMF shall call off its protest programmes. The government will be responsible for the constitutional, legal, political and administrative aspects of this agreement. The state should form a high-level monitoring committee, which will include UDMF members as well, to monitor the implementation of the accord.