Government and the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha talks team held an official meeting at Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party office in Bijulibazar, Kathmandu on Wednesday afternoon.

The two-hour long official meeting between the government and Madhesi morcha took place following Tuesday’s unofficial meeting that was held between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa-led government talks team and TMLP Chairman Mahantha Thakur.

The SLMM, on today’s meet, has demanded that the government bring a clear roadmap regarding the issue of state delineation. “Our bottom-line is the issue of delineation,” said Ram Naresh Rae, a member of the Morcha talks team, “We have clearly stated the issue of state delineation is our first priority among our other demands.” The morcha have been demanding two states in the Tarai-Madhes region. 

General Administration Minister Rekha Sharma, a member of government talks team, told the Post, “Their (Morcha) main concern seems to be the issue of state demarcation.” Minister Sharma said that the meeting has decided that both parties will their official position regarding the state delineation issue in the next meeting scheduled for Sunday. 

The government talks side seemed positive regarding the the pre conditions of lifting prohibitory zones, recalling Nepal Army and Armed Police Force to barracks, declaring the deceased as martyrs and compensating their family, set forth by the SLMM prior to finding consensus on political issues. 

“We have urged the government to fulfil those demands in the three days time before we meet again on Sunday,” said Rae, “Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa has assured us of visible result regarding our demands.” Minister Sharma also affirmed that the government is willing to fulfil the demands put forward by the Morcha to the earlier talks-team. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa, General Administration Minister Rekha Sharma, Minister Ram Janam Chaudhary represented the government side. While, Sarbendra Shukla, Lal Babu Raut and Ram Naresh Rae were present in today’s meeting representing the SLMM. Law Minister Agni Kharel from the government’s side and Madhesi talks team member Laxman Lal Karn, who are out of valley, were not present in today’s meeting. Likewise, TMLP Chairman Mahanta Thakur and Co-Chairman Hridayesh Tripathi were also present in today’s meet.