As the government gears up to register a constitution amendment proposal, which entails splitting Province 5 in a bid to address the row over provincial boundaries, protests have started in different parts of the country.

While the main opposition CPN-UML has already rejected the proposal and taken to the streets, local leaders of the governing parties also have started expressing their discontent.

On Thursday, sister wings of the UML halted vehicular movement in the Nawalpur area of Nawalparasi district to protest against the government plan to split Province 5.

The protesters said they will not accept taking the Nawalapur area away from Province 4. 

As per government’s plan, the Nawalpur area, which currently is in Province 4, will go to Province 5 which will comprise six districts—Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke and Bardiya. In the present provincial set-up, half of Nawalparasi lies in Province 4 where the Nawalpur area falls. Protests were also held in Arunkhola, Kawasoti and Gaidakot areas of the districts. A car was vandalised during the protest.

In Butwal of Rupandehi also, students of UML-affiliated All Nepal National Free Students’ Union took the streets and warned the government against splitting Province 5. 

In Rolpa, leaders of various political parties have announced weeklong protest. 

An all-party meeting led by Nepali Congress lawmaker Amar Singh Pun in the district decided to continue the protest to put pressure on the government to keep Province 5 intact. 

Maniram Budhathoki, leader of CPN (Maoist Centre), said the government should respect the sentiments of local people. “We will stage demonstrations as the government plan to split Province 5 is against people’s wish,” he said. People living in Hill VDCs of Nawalparasi districts also staged a protest on Thursday.

(With inputs from our district correspondents)