Violent protest against the constitution promulgation continued in several districts on Tuesday as well.

Various Madhes-based parties, Tharuhat and Limbuwan campaigners, among others, staged demonstrations, claiming that the new constitution does not address their issues.

In Parsa, three security personnel were injured when protesters hurled a Molotov cocktail targeting a police patrol van in Maisthan, Birgunj. Head Constable Krishna Bahadur Nepali and Constable duo Raju Pariyar and Rajkishwor Yadav suffered burn injuries in the incident. They were taken to Gandak Hospital for treatment.

Protesters also attempted to vandalise the house of Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Rajendra Bahadur Amatya near Maisthan Temple, but they were stopped by police.

Kalaiya, the district headquarters of Bara, remained tense throughout the day on Tuesday due to clashes between the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha supporters and security forces. More than 20 people were hurt. Local people claimed that the security personnel also assaulted innocent people. Police lobbed dozens of tear gas canisters and fired in the air to contain the situation.

 The Morcha demonstrators vandalised the liaison office of the NC lawmaker Ramayodhya Yadav and torched documents and

furniture.

In Rautahat, protesters pelted police with stones using catapults at Garuda. They targeted the security personnel stationed at the Area Police Office, Garuda.

Similarly, demonstrations against the new constitution were also held in districts like Udayapur, Siraha, Saptari, Morang, Kapilvastu and Kailali. They burned the effigies of the top leaders of major parties and the lawmakers representing these districts. The Morcha activists torched the VDC office at Baluhawa in Kapilvastu. Important documents and furniture were destroyed in the arson.  

Limbuwan banda hits eastern Nepal

DHANKUTA: Normal life was greatly affected due to the banda called by Limbuwan Struggle Committee in nine eastern districts on Tuesday. The committee enforced banda in the eastern area across the Arun river demanding separate Limbuwan state. However, the business community and the locals defied the banda in Ilam.

(With inputs from local correspondents)

Madhes parties to step up protest

Madhesi parties affiliated with the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha have agreed to intensify their protest by taking all agitating parties into confidence. In a meeting organised in Saptari on Tuesday, the Morcha leaders agreed on the need of launching a decisive protest. They, however, remained divided on nature of protest.

“There has been an understanding among all agitating groups to hold decisive protest. We will unveil further programmes on Wednesday,” said Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav. Morcha leaders including Yadav are currently in Rajbiraj for the meeting.

Sadbhawana party Chairman Rajendra Mahato said that the Morcha plans to impose blockade on Kathmandu. He said they will completely obstruct the East-West Highway in their upcoming protest programme.  

“The short-sightedness of three major parties has created the problem,” said Mahato.

Meanwhile, Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP), a key member of the Morcha, has refused to sit for talks with the major parties. In a meeting with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, TMLP Chairman Mahanta Thakur said that there was no need to sit for talks if the prime minister addresses their demands.

Among others, Madhesi parties have demanded federation of Tarai into two provinces.

Big parties to send MPs before voters to clear ‘confusions’

The major political parties are sending their lawmakers to their constituencies to inform the people about the agendas incorporated in the new constitution.

“Making people aware about positive aspects of this constitution is need of the hour,” said UCPN (Maoist) Chief Whip Girirajmani Pokharel.

Concerned with the prolonged protests in southern plains, Pokharel himself approached the party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday and discussed ways to mobilise the party lawmakers and pacify the dissenting groups.

The ruling CPN-UML has already asked its lawmakers representing the Tarai region to visit their constituencies and organise programmes in support of the constitution.

“While the lawmakers inform their locals about progressive provisions incorporated in the new constitution, the senior leaders will

reach out to the leaders of the agitating parties and try take them into confidence,” UML spokesperson Yogesh Bhattarai said.

The senior leaders of major parties-Nepali Congress, UML and Maoists— are trying to assure the agitating parties and ethnic communities that their demand concerning demarcation of provinces would be addressed through the proposed Federal Commission.

According to them, most of the demands put forth by the agitating parties—proportional representation, delineation of electoral provinces based on population and demarcation of provinces based on identity and citizenship—have already been resolved and the row over federalism could be revised through the commission.

“The clarity over issues also can normalise the situation. We see some kind of mistakes from both the sides, security forces and agitating parties,” said Pokharel.“That why our presence can also create positive role to improve the situation in Tarai districts.”

Protesters have started to vandalise and torch the houses of lawmakers while police have been criticised for using excessive force to suppress the protests.