As the talks between the three major political parties and the agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has been stalled, the Morcha supporters have started to stage demonstrations in Birgunj, the major trade point between Nepal-India, from Tuesday.

The SLMM supporters burnt tyres at the various places from the morning, disrupting the daily life when normalcy had just returned in Birgunj. 

The town residents have been disappointed after the talks process could not find a solution to the crisis in the Tarai. Manish Kurmi of Ranighat said they are worried violence will once again erupt in the region.

“We are worried that the talks did not go as the people had anticipated,” he said.

Vice-chairman of Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal Lalbabu Raut alleged that the talks had stalled because the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist) were not ready to accept change. 

“The major political leaders are not willing to end the ongoing crisis,” he said. 

The SLMM has been protesting for the rights of Madhesi community for the past five months. Experts said there are various outfits besides SLMM protesting in the Tarai.

“If the demands of the agitating SLMM are not addressed on time, other outfits will start protesting as well,” experts told. 

Leader of Sanghiya Samabesi Gathabandhan Raj Kumar Yadav said there should be a package deal to end the crisis. “If the major political parties do not agree, the struggle and violence will continue,” he said.

Another SSG leader Shiva Patel said they will welcome the agreement if it could address the demands of Madhes.

“The protests have been organised by Madhesi people and they will never accept false agreements,” he said.