Madhesis threaten fresh stir to press demands

Raxaul: Madhesi leaders of United Democratic Madhes Front (UDMF) have submitted a fresh seven-point memorandum to Nepal's prime minister KPS Oli on Saturday. They have also threatened to launch a more intense and decisive struggle if their demands are not fulfilled soon
It may be mentioned here that Nepal's agitating Madhesis had called off their nearly five-month long blockade at the Indo-Nepal border in February, bringing relief to the country suffering severe shortages of fuel, medicine and other supplies due to the protests against a new constitution."Considering the crisis facing the nation and the public necessity and aspirations, the ongoing protest programmes of general strike, border blockade, government office shutdown was called off for now," said a statement issued by the United Democratic Madhesi Front leaders.
Chairman of Sadbhawana Party Rajendra Mahto and leader of UDMF talking to TOI at Gaur on Sunday, however, threatened to launch a second-phase of agitation from mid-April if the Nepalese government ignores their long-pending demands.
Talking about the memorandum submitted to PM Oli he said, this is the last chance for the government to consider their demands or else Madhesis will fight it to the finish. "The recent amendment is meaningless as it is a mere eyewash."
Criticising the Oli government he said the government did not take any step towards addressing the real concerns of the Madhesis till date," said Mahto. Newly-elected Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba said the Congress would play a vital role in settling the issue of boundaries of federal units and resolving the Madhes agenda.
General secretary of Nepali Congress Shashank Koirals reaffirmed that his party is committed to resolve the issue raised by Madhesis through consensus and mutual trust. Senior Congress leader Mahesh Acharya said the decision of Oli government to form a political committee to settle the question of provincial boundaries is a unilateral move and it will increase the gap between Madhesi leaders and the government.
UDMF leaders also assailed the government decision to form this committee without UDMF representation.