Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJP-N), an alliance of six Madhes-based parties, has welcomed the government’s decision to elevate Biratnagar into a metropolitan city and increase the number of local units in the Tarai.

The RJP-N took out a rally in Biratnagar on Wednesday to celebrate the occasion.

Mohammad Kadir, the RJP-N Morang district chairman, later told the assembly of rally participants that the government’s decision to increase the number of local units was a fitting honour for those people who lost their lives during the Madhes movement.

He, however, said that the RJP-N will not participate in the second phase of local election, slated to be held in provinces 1, 2, 5 and 7 on June 14, unless the constitution is amended to address the concerns raised by them.

A Cabinet meeting on Monday had decided to increase 22 local units in 12 Tarai districts and give metropolis status to Biratnagar and Birgunj in a bid to bring the protesting Madhes-centric parties on board the election process.

Jalpapur locals protest latest restructuring

The locals of Jalpapur in Sunsari obstructed the traffic along the Inaruwa-Harinagara road on Thursday to protest the government’s decision to split Jalpapur from Inaruwa Municipality to make it a part of Harinagar Village Council. They burnt tyres on the road to stop the traffic and demanded the government to immediately retract the decision. The government recently increased 22 local units in 12 Tarai districts. As per the decision, two new village councils were created in Sunsari. In doing so, Jalpapur was taken out of Inaruwa Municipality and made a part of Harinagar Village Council. The Jalpapur locals have warned of stronger protest if their demand is not addressed.

Detained journo freed after eight days

Bikash Bhattarai, a Gorkha-based journalist, was released from police

custody after eight days on Thursday. He was arrested for allegedly misbehaving with security personnel during local election’s vote count on May 16.

Bhattarai, who is a correspondent of Janata TV, was been booked under the Public Offence Act.

He was also suspected of instigating anti-poll activities. The Gorkha district chapter of Federation of Nepali Journalists had condemned Bhattarai’s arrest and called for his immediate release.

Koshwor Jung Thapa, chairman of the federation, claimed that Bhattarai was held in illegal detention on a false charge.

The federation had staged a demonstration on Thursday in protest of the arrest.

An official at the District Police Office said Bhattarai, who is also a member of the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal, was arrested from an assembly organised by the party at Haramtari.

He was arrested as per the instruction of the Home Ministry and Nepal Police headquarters, the official added.