Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) has warned of resorting to agitation in protest against the government’s decision to go for local election by disregarding their issues and demands.

In a press meet organised in Kathmandu on Thursday, NEFIN Chairman Jagat Bahadur Baram said the newly adopted Constitution of Nepal has not ensured the rights and identity of indigenous, Madhesi and oppressed communities. “The government unilaterally announced the date for local polls in a conspiratorial manner by ignoring the serious demands raised by NEFIN,” said Baram.

The NEFIN said that the Local Level Restructuring Commission (LLRC) proposed 719 local units (VDCs and municipals) against the spirit of the constitutional provision on border demarcation.

“The structure of local level has not been established yet,” read a statement issued after the press meet. “That’s why the election announced to be held in the structure formed on the basis of incomplete, unscientific, and discriminatory report would not be acceptable to indigenous people.”

NEFIN General Secretary Nitya Nanda Tajpuri said the extended meeting of indigenous organisations would announce phase-wise agitation. He said that indigenous organisations would work together with Adibasi Janjati Rastriya Andolan Nepal, various political parties, and oppressed communities to launch an integrated agitation.

Spokesperson of indigenous agitation Om Gurung said that all the likeminded ethnic, regional, gender, minority and Madhesi groups would join hands for a joint agitation.