Talks with agitators inconclusive

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The agitating Undivided Far-west Civic Committee today decided to continue its strike until the major political parties agree to fulfil its demand that the region be kept intact while carving out the country’s federal structure.

The agitators have enforced shutdown in the region for 16 days.

Talks between the government and agitators held at the Peace and Reconstruction Ministry ended with the understanding that the talks will continue tomorrow. A 36-member talks-team had arrived Kathmandu from the region yesterday to hold talks with the government and parties.

The government talks-team members told the agitators they would take the demands to the top leaders of major political parties and make it the agenda in the meeting of the top brass of major parties.

“The government talks-team presented itself irresponsibly at the meeting, so we decided to continue our protest until major parties agreed to our demands,” said Nain Singh Mahar, a representative of the agitators.

Government talks team member and Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said the government has taken their demands positively and has requested the agitators to change the way of protest by ending the closure. “We will take the demands to the leaders of major parties and resume talks tomorrow,” Sitaula said.

Injured Tharus in a lurch

DHANGADHI: Tharu activists injured in a clash with supporters of undivided Far-west movement, said on Saturday they have been left to fend for themselves. They said they were forced to attend a rally demanding a Tharuhat state by their village leader, who threatened to fine them Rs 500 if they failed to show up at the programme. “I do not have money for treatment and none of my family members are here,” said Raj Kumar Rana, who was injured in yesterday’s clash. Having suffered head injury, he was taken to Attaria-based Sewa Nursing Home for CT-scan but doctors did not carry out the test as he could not pay Rs 4,500 for the service.