Madhesh Province
Talks set for today as authorities and Gen Z youth seek to ease tension in Simara
Three arrested after Wednesday’s clash; leaders expected to arrive from Janakpur for negotiations.Laxmi Shah
Talks between local authorities and the Gen Z group are scheduled for later today (Friday) in Simara, two days after a clash between CPN-UML cadres and Gen Z youths heightened tension in the city.
According to Manish Sapkota, spokesperson for the Jeetpursimara Sub-metropolitan Gen Z committee, the meeting will take place in the presence of Gen Z leaders Sudhan Gurung, Purushottam Yadav and Shiva Yadav. He said the three leaders are in Janakpur and plan to reach Simara by this afternoon.
He added that Minister for Youth and Sports Bablu Gupta may also join, though his presence has yet to be confirmed.
Bara Chief District Officer Dharmaendra Kumar Mishra said coordination is underway to finalise the meeting. He said the venue has not been fixed, and discussions continue.
Gen Z supporters in Simara have halted demonstrations since 4.30pm on Thursday. The group said they will not block the highway on Friday. Sapkota said internal discussions are underway to finalise their demands before the talks.
Officials had called the group for talks on Thursday, but Gen Z refused until those named in their complaint were arrested.
Police have so far arrested three of the six individuals named in the complaint, including two elected ward chairs from the UML—Dhan Bahadur Shrestha and Kaimuddin Ansari. Shrestha is the chair of ward 2, while Ansari of ward 6.
Another accused, Arvind Sah, was arrested in Hetauda on Thursday night. Police said three more remain at large.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Bijayaraj Pandit said they are being held at the District Police Office in Kalaiya. Officers said search efforts continue for the remaining accused.
The clash took place on Wednesday when Gen Z supporters began protesting in Simara as UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and politburo member Mahesh Basnet, among others, were heading to Simara from Kathmandu for a youth mobilisation event in Parwanipur. An argument between youth activists escalated, leading to a confrontation. Six Gen Z supporters were injured.
The complaint was lodged by Gen Z district coordinator Samrat Upadhyaya, who led the protest against UML leaders.
Simara, tense for two days, remained calm on Friday. There were no demonstrations, clashes or curfew orders, though security personnel were deployed.
The area had seen unrest on Wednesday, including vandalism at Simara Airport and a highway blockade with burning tyres. The airport resumed services on Thursday.




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