Leaders of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) are meeting in the Capital on Thursday to decide their next course of action, including a launch of fresh protest programmes. 

In a memorandum to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on March 11, the alliance of seven Madhes-based parties had given an ultimatum to meet its demands in a month. The Morcha leaders claim the government has snubbed their ultimatum. 

“We are still expecting the government to take steps in finding solution to both the political and non-political demands. If that doesn’t happen, we will unveil our protest programme accordingly,” said Laxman Lal Karna, co-chair of the Sadbhawana Party. 

There are suggestions that the Morcha would once again resort to a border- and highway-centric protest. The Morcha had withdrawn the blockade at Birgunj-Raxaul border point on Feb 8, after disrupting supplies of essentials for 139 days. The announcement came four days after the Indian authorities allowed vehicular movement through the Birgunj entry point. 

Fears of another border blockade appear to have gripped Kathmandu, with long surpentine queues in front of fuel stations in the Capital. Panic buying started after Morcha leaders visited the Indian Embassy for consultations two week ago, coinciding with PM Oli’s China visit where he signed 10 agreements, including the transit deal.

However, the Morcha has not openly stated yet if the protest will also constitute a border blockade. “It could take any form but that would be largely peaceful. It could be a general strike or sit-in protest at the border,” said Ashok Rai, senior leader of the Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal.