Local people have complained that senior leaders of major political parties were not serious about the Tikapur incident and its aftermath.

They claimed that top leaders representing the region had not taken any initiatives to ease the tension escalated after Monday’s violent clash.

Stating that the leaders “incited innocent people” to stand for undivided Far West and Tharuhat, local residents vented their ire that the leaders did not even console them in their trouble.

“Tikapur incident has political causes. The leaders of the main parties had to address the matter politically. The parties gave the people their slogans, made them fight each other and left us alone in this crisis,” said Durga Sharma, a local.

Nine persons, including Senior Superintendent of Police Laxman Neupane and 18-month-old Tekendra Saud, were killed in cold blood when enraged Tharuhat protesters clashed with security personnel in Tikapur on Monday.

The parties have taken no concrete initiative to restore social harmony in Tikapur and the adjoining areas. Stating that local initiatives are not enough to ease tension, civil society leaders urged top leaders to act to maintain social harmony in the region.

Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Vice-chairman Bhim Rawal and UCPN (Maoist) leader Lekh Raj Bhatta, who represent the region, have yet to reach Tikapur.

Local party leaders said they have taken initiatives to calm down the situation but their efforts would not suffice. They want the central leadership to address the matter. “The Tikapur incident is not a struggle between the Tharus and the Pahadis. The government should resolve the problem politically,” said Chetman KC, a local NC leader.

Meanwhile, the local administration lifted the curfew from 9 to 11am on Saturday to ease supplies as the people grapple with a shortage of daily essentials. Local residents were found busy buying goods during the break. The administration said the curfew would remain until the situation becomes normal.

PM assures Dalit rights in statute

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Saturday pledged to fulfill the demands of Dalits after consultation with top CPN-UML and UCPN (Maoist) leaders.

Dalit community leaders had reached PM Koirala’s official residence in Baluwatar to present their demands.

Along with other agitating parties and groups, the PM has invited Dalit leaders for talks.

In the meeting with Koirala, members of the Dalit community demanded inclusive and proportional representation in all state mechanisms. They also sought their representation at the executive and legislatures of the local bodies.

The Dalit representatives proposed a taskforce to prepare a document about addressing the problems facing the community but the PM said the four-party meeting would settle it.

“We want Article 40 of the draft constitution revised to ensure our participation,” said NC Constituent Assembly member Min Bahadur Bishwokarma.

Dalit activists and cross-party CA members from the community claim that their rights guaranteed by the first CA were removed from the constitution draft.