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MJF sets three conditions for talks with govt

The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) that led the recent agitations in Terai has set three conditions, including the Home Minister’s resignation, for talks to happen with the government.

Speaking at a programme in the capital on Saturday, MFJ chairman Upendra Yadav informed that the Forum today sent a reply to the government’s talk team stating that it was ready for table talk if the government punished “those involved in suppressing the agitations”, form an independent panel led by a Madhesi to investigate into the incidents during the agitations, and Home Minister KP Sitaula’s ouster.

Government’s talk team headed by minister Mahantha Thakur had a few days earlier wrote a letter to the MJF inviting it for talks to peacefully resolve the issues of Terai.

Describing the Prime Minister’s address to the nation on Wednesday, the MJF announced on Thursday to suspend its agitations in Terai districts for ten days and asked the government to create favourable environment for dialogue.

PM Koirala in his address announced to add electoral seats in Terai districts and delineate the election constituencies based on population and geographical appropriateness. On the other hand, the MJF has demanded “fully proportional electoral system" for the forthcoming constituent assembly election.

At least 29 people lost their lives and hundreds others were injured in clashes between the police and the protesters during the MFJ-led agitation across Terai for more than three weeks. nepalnews.com mk Feb 10 07