The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) is struggling to find an alternative form of protests.

Leaders and observers say the SLMM is for continuing its protests “to exert pressure on Kathmandu” but also want to make the protests “less disruptive”.

Even after the constitution was amended on January 23, the SLMM’s key demand 

continues to remain the same—revision of federal boundaries—and it wants to continue protests until the demand is met. 

Mahantha Thakur, chairman of the Tarai Madhes Loktrantrik Party, said that the Morcha’s next meeting would find appropriate alternatives to current protests “with maximum public participation”. But that looks increasingly difficult, as the protests along the central Tarai have lost steam for the lack of public support. Protesters have started to 

face resistance from local 

residents and traders even 

in Birgunj. 

Frustrated by long-drawn protests, local residents and traders on Friday forcefully removed roadblocks and opened the blocked Birgunj-Raxaul border, allowing cargo trucks to roll into Nepal freely. 

Analysts say Morcha’s shortsighted strategies, dubious stances and its utter failure to curb burgeoning black-marketeering promoted by its local leadership added to public frustration. They say the Morcha failed understand public’s changing mood. 

Chandra Kishore Jha, a Madhesi journalist and activist, says the movement is gradually on the wane due to various factors. According to him, the Madhesi people are increasingly frustrated with the prolonged crisis with no settlement in sight. 

“The Morcha is gradually losing touch with the common people. Moral degradation of its local leaders and their internal disputes have made local people increasing skeptical,” said Jha. “Indecisiveness of the Morcha leadership and failure to garner support from eastern and western plain also forced people to question the purpose of the protests,” he says. “But this doesn’t mean people are happy with Kathmandu after the first amendment to the constitution. In fact, the moderate space in Madhes is losing ground each day,” Jha adds.

Morcha leaders, however, say the protests will 

continue until the three major parties agree to revise the boundaries. 

“The protests will continue until there is an agreement at least on the framework of revision of federal boundaries. The Morcha will mobilise public across the plains to keep the pressure alive,” said Thakur, adding that their priority will be settling the crisis through dialogue.