Miscellaneous
We will review border protests, says Thakur
It has been a week since Parliament voted to amend the constitution in an effort to address the demands raised by four Madhes-based parties.It has been a week since Parliament voted to amend the constitution in an effort to address the demands raised by four Madhes-based parties.
But the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of the four Madhes-based parties, is yet to hold a formal meeting of its top leaders to make its positions clear on constitution amendment, its protests and future course of action.
The Morcha on January 25, two days after the constitution amendment, announced weeklong “soft protests”, which will end on February 1, but did not mention anything about its border protests.
Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur on Saturday said that the Madhes-based parties would review the ongoing border-centric protests during their next meeting. Top leaders of the four Madhes-based parties are planning to meet later this week.
Thakur, however, did not say whether the meeting will take any “concrete decision” regarding border-centric protests of the Morcha. “Our protests will continue until all our concerns are addressed. It might take years to get what we are demanding. But we would take appropriate decisions regarding the border-centric protests after holding consultations with the stakeholders on the ground,” Thakur said.
Arguing that the first amendment to the constitution has “partially addressed” their demands, Thakur said that the Morcha is determined to continue the current struggle. “Revision of federal boundaries is our main concern. There must be some kind of agreement for the protests to stop,” said Thakur.