“Such oppression did not exist even during the Rana regime. Police brutality and state oppression has reached its height. They are entering inside the village and torturing the common people. Its consequences will be serious,” Yadav told the Post.

Yadav said that the state’s planned crackdown have brought the dissident Madhesi parties at one place. He said that discussions are underway to form a broader alliance to strengthen the protest against the major parties preparation to promulgate a “regressive” constitution.

Besides including the Madhesi parties, the front will incorporate all the nationalist and revolutionary forces against the state’s efforts to promulgate the “regressive” constitution.

The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha is currently comprised of four parties—Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal, Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, Sadbhawana Party and Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party. Other parties have, so far, chosen to remain away from the alliance.

“There is no choice for us but to stand united and fight collectively against the injustice and oppression. People of Madhesh have made it clear that they do not want the constitution that attempts to curtail our rights,” said Yadav. Efforts are also underway to form coalition with other forces fighting for the rights of marginalized and excluded communities in the new constitution, said Yadav.