Valley
Human Rights Commission to resume Tarai unrest monitoring
The National Human Rights Commission has decided to resend its monitoring teams to Tarai districts after leaders of agitating parties promised to cooperate with the rights body in carrying out its constitutional duties.The National Human Rights Commission has decided to resend its monitoring teams to Tarai districts after leaders of agitating parties promised to cooperate with the rights body in carrying out its constitutional duties.
The national rights watchdog had recalled its monitoring team after activists of the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) manhandled its staffers and torched a vehicle in Nawalpur of Sarlahi district on December 4. The commission had said that it would not send monitoring teams until a safe environment was ensured to monitor the rights situation in the plains. The NHRC on Tuesday revised its decision after holding discussions with SLMM leaders and Madhesi intellectuals. During the meetings, they expressed sadness over the incident and made commitment to cooperate with the commission’s teams.
Laxman Lal Karna of Sadbhawana Party, Ram Naresh Raya of Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party, Lalbabu Raut of Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal from Madhes-based parties and Tula Narayan Sah of Nepal Madhes Foundation and Vijay Kant Karna of Jagrit Nepal, representing civil society, participated in the talks with the rights body.
During the discussion, the participants requested the commission to monitor the activities of the protesters and security personnel and prepare a report on rights situation in the Tarai. “They also demanded a probe into Nawalpur incident,” said NHRC Commissioner Mohna Ansari.
The commission’s decision to recall its team from Sarlahi and not to send any groups to monitor the situation in the Tarai had drawn mixed reactions, with some rights defenders pressing the rights watchdog to reconsider its decision. They had argued that the national rights body should not shy away from carrying out its responsibilities.
Protests in the Tarai region have been going on for the last 115 days. At least 50 civilians and nine police personnel have been killed in protests.