The supporters of Tharu Welfare Council in Banke have demanded the government to form a separate Tharuhat province by incorporating the Tarai districts between Nawalparasi and Kanchanpur.

They have also contended that the government’s latest proposal of splitting Province 5 to separate the Hill districts and forming an eighth province will undermine their demand, a move that could create conflict between communities.

“The amendment proposal to split Province 5 is a conspiracy against the Tharu people,” said Ganesh Chaudhary, the council’s Banke chair.  

Although the movement for Tharuhat province began before the promulgation of present constitution, the government and the

political parties have not made any efforts to fulfil the demand of the Tharu community, according to Krishna Kumar Chaudhary of Tharuhat Struggle Committee.

The ethnic Tharu people living in the western Tarai districts have warned of a protest if the amendment proposal to create a new province is passed by Parliament without considering their demand.

 “The amendment proposal will undermine not just Tharus, but the Madhesis and other indigenous minorities as well. We can only accept the amendment if our demand is addressed. If not, we will begin a protest,” said Bhanuram Chaudhary, chairman of Tharuhat Tarai Party Nepal.

According to the national census of 2011, there are 322,000 Tharus in Kailali, 72,000 in Kanchanpur, 226,000 in Bardiya, 77,000 in Banke, 175,000 in Dang, 85,000 in Rupandehi, 70,000 in Kapilvastu and 97,000 in Nawalparasi districts.

Meanwhile, leaders from other political parties and representatives of civil society have also warned the government against splitting  Province 5 to separate the hill districts. The proposal has already sparked demonstrations in Rupandehi, Arghakhanchi, Rolpa, Pyuthan and Banke districts.

Chandra Bahadur Chaudhary, a member of CPN-UML, said the government should respect the sentiments of the people, or else there could be a disaster.

“There is a high chance of protest if the amendment is passed,” he said.

Political parties demand 10 local units in Rukum

RUKUM: Political parties in Rukum have decided to propose 10 local units, violating the standard in Rukum district.

Though the technical committee of Local Level Restructuring Commission (LLRC) has proposed dividing the district under six to eight local units, the parties have decided to recommend for 10 local units.

Narendra Kumar Rana, coordinator of the technical committee and Local Development Officer, said they are compelled to agree in making 10 local units as they could not pass the proposal unanimously.