Nepali Diaspora calls for attention to Terai problem

Nepali Diaspora in North America has urged the Government of Nepal, political and civic society leaderships and mainstream media to pay urgent attention to the Terai problem for sustainable peace in the country.

The Nepali Diaspora has also demanded for formation of an impartial commission to probe various incidents that took place in the Terai over the last few months.

“We believe the current situation arose from some major missteps in the transition process. The hastily promulgated interim constitution did not fully reflect the aspirations of the people. It failed to include the grievances of Madheshi, Janajati, Dalit, Women, and other traditionally marginalized ethnic communities,” a statement issued by the Nepalis living in North America said.

Stating that the administration failed to responsibly handle the Madheshi movement, they also demanded resignation of Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula.

They, however, welcomed the formation of a new team led by Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, Ram Chandra Poudel, to hold talks with protesting groups of Terai.

Nepali Diaspora also called upon the Madhesi Janakhikar Forum, to publicly denounce violence and vandalism and show a matured political leadership with sufficient flexibilities to negotiate with the Government. “They should be alert not to allow infiltration of miscreants into their movement.”

The CPN (M) should immediately stop all acts of extortion, intimidation and violence and should adhere to the commitments made in the Comprehensive Peace Treaty, they said and urged Maoists not to interfere with peaceful programmes and activities of other political parties and organisations and added that Maoists should allow the government to take charge of any law and order problems. nepalnews.com pb Apr 18 07