The agitating Madhes-based and other disgruntled communist parties have urged the President to return the Army to the barracks.

Describing the presence of the Army in the riot-hit areas as “unconstitutional”, the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal (SSFN) and the Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist called on President Ram Baran Yadav to play a constructive role in returning the Army to the barracks and promulgating a new constitution.

“The mobilisation of the Army to riot-hit areas and forced promulgation of the constitution are against the spirit of the Interim Constitution and past agreements signed among us. We have urged the President to play a constructive role as the supreme commander of Nepal Army and patron of the constitution,” said SSFN leader Ashok Rai.

On Monday, the government had sent soldiers to Tikapur, the district headquarters of Kailali, to assist the civilian authority after eight police personnel including Senior Superintendent of Police Laxman Neupane, were killed in a deadly clash with indigenous Tharu activists who were demanding an autonomous Tharuhat province.

Leaders of the Baidya-led party shared similar concerns during their meeting with President Yadav.

In response, the President reiterated the clarifications the government had offered to him that the presence of the Army was merely to “aid the civilian authorities”, according to SSFN leader Rai.

Urging the agitating leaders to lend support to the writing of the new constitution, President Yadav stressed the need to seek a solution to the crisis through dialogue.

 “It is time to negotiate the disputed issues and produce an amiable constitution. I urge you all to assist in this process,” President Yadav was quoted as saying.

In view of the escalating tensions, the government has formally invited the opposition parties for talks.

The disgruntled groups, however, have refused to join the talks until the Army is back in the barracks and the major parties commit to promulgate the new constitution in accordance with past accords.