Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae has urged the political leadership to amend the constitution in a bid to resolve the ongoing unrest in the Tarai region.

Expressing displeasure over the newly promulgated statute, including demarcation of federal states, political parties based in Tarai have been protesting for the past three months. The protests have resulted in over 50 deaths, leaving scores injured.

Addressing a function organised by Nepal-India Friendship Society on Tuesday, Ambassador Rae said the only way to address the unrest was by amending the constitution to accommodate the grievances of the agitating parties.

“As general participation in the Madhes movement has been increasing everyday for the last three months, the issue should not be taken lightly,” the Indian ambassador said.

Ambassador Rae also suggested the ruling, opposition and agitating factions to sit for talks and find a political solution to the present crisis.

“There is provision of amendment in the constitution, and the political leaders have been saying that it can be done in order to address the grievances of the agitating parties,” he noted. “India will extend all possible help to end the agitation in case of any need.”

Also speaking at the function, several civil society members concluded that the Tarai unrest was an internal affair and that the political leadership should be ready to resolve it.

I do not see Indian hands behind the Madeshi movement, said Daman Nath Dhungana, a former House speaker. He also advised India to act as a mediator between the conflicting parties.

“The government is using unnecessary force against the Madhesi people. The Madhes is demanding autonomy, and that should be given,” he claimed.

He also blamed the government for creating unnecessary rift between the people of the Hills and the Tarai. “This is Nepal’s diplomatic failure. Since the 12-point agreement was made successful by New Delhi, India should now mediate to resolve the crisis.”

Former Nepali Ambassador to India Lok Raj Baral said that merely resuming trade through the entry points was not a solution. “Let’s resolve the unrest first, then talk to India in a bold manner.”