Opposition parties Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) gave continuity to their protest in the House of Representatives on Thursday, pressing for Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s resignation and formation of a high-level investigation commission into alleged human trafficking disguised as visit visa facilitation.

RSP lawmakers surrounded the rostrum of the House during Thursday’s meeting but refrained from chanting slogans—unlike previous sessions.

On Tuesday, RSP lawmakers had worn blue ribbons as a symbolic gesture to highlight their concerns about human trafficking.

Also, the RPP continued its boycott of the House meeting.

Addressing Parliament, RSP lawmaker Hari Dhakal reiterated the party’s commitment to the ongoing agitation. He accused the government of ignoring the plight of tens of thousands of Nepalis who had been defrauded under the pretext of foreign employment.

Dhakal also alleged that instead of responding to the serious accusations raised in Parliament, the home minister had belittled the voices of the people and dodged accountability.

Despite the protest, Speaker Devraj Ghimire proceeded with Thursday’s scheduled agenda.

The House remains divided as demands for a thorough inquiry go unmet, prolonging the deadlock.

The RSP and the RPP, the fourth and fifth largest parties in the lower house, have given continuity to their protest even though the main opposition, the CPN Maoist Centre, signed a two-point deal with the ruling parties and withdrew its protest on June 13. Another opposition party, the CPN (Unified Socialist) also supported the Maoist proposal to end the House deadlock.