Nepali Congress senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has remarked that the Tharu and Hill communities should coexist peacefully in an undivided Far West that forms Province 7 in the new federal set-up.

Speaking at a press meet organised by Nepal Press Union in Dhangadhi on Friday, Deuba said exclusive rights could be granted to the Tharus, minority groups, and indigenous people. Earlier in the day, he also said that the Tharu-dominated parts of Kailali and Kanchanpur districts could be granted autonomy.

“We are ready to make the Tharu-majority regions autonomous with exclusive rights in consensus with other political parties,” said Deuba. He added that the status could be granted to the backward ethnic communities such as Tharus, Dagauras, and Ranas. Hill-origin leaders should make peace with Tharu leaders, he said.