MADHESI STRIKE EVOKES MIXED RESPONSE IN NEPAL’S TERAI

The general strike called on Wednesday by the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal to press for the demands of citizenship and re-demarcation of the provincial boundary evoked mixed response in the country’s Madhesi-dominated districts.

Madhesi parties in Nepal are divided over participating in the second phase of local body polls be held on June 28, with one faction insisting on taking part in the process to foil the reactionary forces’ “conspiracy” against federalism while other announcing fresh protests to disrupt polls.

Biratnagar and Birgunj municipalities came to a grinding halt due to the strike as public transport services, market places, educational institutions remained closed.

However, in Morang and Parsa districts, the strike had a mixed response.

RJPN earlier announced it would boycott the poll. However, two other Madhesi parties — Federal Socialist Party Nepal and Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum Democratic — have decided to participate in them.

The two parties issued a joint statement calling all Madhesi and ethnic parties, including the RJPN, to participate in the elections.

“It is necessary to participate in the local level polls to foil the conspiracy hatched by reactionary forces against federalism and to consolidate the rights gained through past movements,” the statement read.

The two parties also urged the government to honour the three point agreement reached between the Madhesi parties and the previous government led by CPN-Maoist Centre chief Prachanda to create a conducive environment for all to participate in the elections. PTI