Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has directed its cadres to ease the ongoing protest during Tihar and Chhat festivals. Each district committee of the SLMM has been told to change the protest approach depending on the need.

“We haven’t made any formal decision as to what changes will be made in our protest approach, but the district committees are free to make the changes depending on the need,” said Hridayesh Tripathi, vice-chairman of Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party.

Some SLMM leaders have hinted that transport service and market places could operate during the festivals.

The ongoing protest has primarily affected eight districts in the Tarai, including Parsa, Dhanusha, Saptari and Rautahat. The SLMM is planning to intensify the protest after the festival season.

The Tharuhat/Tharuwan Joint Struggle Committee, an alliance of Tharu groups, has also announced to resume protest in western Tarai districts.

“Discussions are on with Madhesi and other communities to resume the protest simultaneously,” said Rajkumar Lekhi, former chairman of Nepal Federation of Ingenious Nationalities.

The agitating side and the government are likely to resume their talks after Tihar. The SLMM have said that it would not sit for talks unless the government includes Nepali Congress (NC) in the dialogue. NC, however, has said that it will not join the talks team.

The SLMM, an alliance of four Madhesi parties at the frontline of the ongoing protest, has been demanding two provinces in Tarai.  Meanwhile, Tharu groups have are in favour of three provinces in the Tarai.

The government says it is impossible to form two provinces in the Tarai, given the unequal distribution of population and land in the region.