Prominent civil society members have appealed to the government to find a political solution to the ongoing violent protests in Tarai against the state delineation, while also calling on the agitating groups to carry out their demonstrations peacefully.

A statement signed by civil leaders like Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Damannath Dhungana, Sundar Mani Dixit, Khagendra Sangraula, CK Lal, Krishna Hachhethu, Asmita Ranjit, Tula Narayan Shah and Anbika Giri, Surabhi Pudasaini, Ujjwal Prasai, Yug Pathak, Nayan P Sindhuliya, Aditya Adhikari, Subha Kayastha, Vijay Kanta Karna, Chadra Kishor Jha, and Om Gurung , among others, was released on Wednesday which states: “We urge the ruling and the disgruntled parties to adopt patience and sit for dialogue. The government should fulfil the valid demands of the protestors as it is the only way towards a solution.”

Recent developments show that constitution promulgated without institutionalising the achievements of past movements launched by the Nepali people will be the seed for a prolonged conflict in the country, the statement further reads. Civil society leaders have also objected to the use of force by security agencies to control the protests which led to several deaths.

“The use of force by police in areas including Birgunj and Janakpur which seemed more like revenge against the death of security personnel is highly objectionable,” according to the statement.

 In addition to requesting the government and the protestors, civil leaders have urged the entire media fraternity to stick to the facts while reporting the protest news and to refrain from sensationalism. “Media should avoid giving a communal angle to the demonstrations as this may lead to tensions,” the statement reads. Further, civil society has appealed to the international community to not take sides in this matter and to help broker peace between the warring sides.