Miscellaneous
Disabled begin relay hunger strike
The disabled community began a relay hunger strike in Bhadrakali on Wednesday, demanding that at least four people from the community be nominated to the new Constituent Assembly (CA).Ekantipur Report
The community led by the Federation of the Disabled-Nepal has been staging demonstrations since Janaury 8. It had been organising rallies and staging sit-ins around the Federation's office in Bhrikuti Mandap, except for a brief hiatus when Interim Election Government Chairman Khil Raj Regmi agreed to meet with them.
Seven members from the community are currently enrolled in the relay hunger strike, with one member expected to fast for 24 hours at a time.
Tika Dahal, secretary of Federation of the Disabled-Nepal, said since words of Regmi and other political leaders have only been assurances, the protest will continue. "If this relay hunger strike goes unnoticed by the government, we will stage a fast-unto-death," Dahal said.
The previous CA had three representatives from the differently-abled community.