Thousands of people formed a human chain from Mechi to Mahakali along the Hulaki (postal) Highway on Thursday as part of the ongoing Madhes agitation.

The demonstration was organised on the 48th day of the Tarai shutdown in line with the decision of the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha to form a chain starting from Jhapa to Kanchanpur.

People in Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Mahottari and Dhanusha, including in central and western Tarai districts, attended the protest. The chain started at the Koshi Barrage on the eastern border of Saptari along the 45 kilometre route ending at Balan River on the western side. People from different communities and villages joined the protest while the chain took shape at around 1pm. People formed a 40 km chain in Dhanusha.

People in Sarlahi, Rautahat, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi and Kapilvastu also demonstrated along the postal highway forming a human chain. Organisers claimed that the line was around 50 km long in Parsa district. In Rautahat, it stretched up to 31 km.

According to the decision, the chain was formed in western districts including Banke. Madhesi leaders said they had decided to field people along the 1,555 km postal highway from Mechi to Mahakali.

Meanwhile, supporters of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha staged a sit-in at the Malibara customs in Mahottari district for the whole night.

Protest against Indian interference

CHITWAN: The Chitwan Chamber of Commerce led a rally in Narayangadh against Indian interference. Thousands of people from various walks of life and

businesses attended the

rally against the undeclared blockade. The rally went round Pulchowk, Sahid Chowk, and Lions Chowk before converging in a corner meet at Chaubis Kothi in Bharatpur. In Makwanpur, CPN-UML-affiliated students cooked food at Buddhachowk in Hetauda, protesting against the blockade.

Meanwhile, student unions in Taplejung burnt an effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, protesting against the Indian government for the blockade on the border.

Tharuhat supporters oppose blockade

GULARIYA: The Tharuhat/Tharuwan Struggle Committee has strongly protested against the unofficial blockade of essential commodities by India. Govinda Prasad Tharu, coordinator of the protest, said it was wrong on the part of India to obstruct the passage of goods on the border. “We will not tolerate external interference in our internal matters,” he said. Supporters of the Tharuhat Struggle Committee said they do not agree to the Madhesi parties’ decision to create hurdles on the international border. Meanwhile, Radhakrishna Tharu Janasewa Kendra staged a rally in Gulariya against the blockade.

(With inputs from our local correspondents)

Talks give parties hope

KATHMANDU: Talks between the representatives of three major parties and the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha ended inconclusively after both the sides remained adamant on their positions on the new constitution.

Interlocutors remain hopeful of an outcome in the next meeting. Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party chief Mahantha Thakur, who has been assigned to hold talks on Morcha’ behalf, is expected to meet Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chair KP Oli and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday.

“There are no positive developments on our agendas. The UML seems reluctant even to accept that it is a popular agitation,” said Hridayesh Tripathi, a TMLP leader.