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Tharu activists to continue protest, more organisations rally against 'one Madhes'

Tharu Welfare Assembly (TWA) has said that it would continue with its protest programmes in Kathmandu as well as in various Terai districts against the demand of some Terai-based parties for an "autonomous Madhes state".

The organisation working for the welfare of ethnic Tharu community in Terai said that it would take out torch rallies in various Terai districts on Wednesday.

Ethnic Tharus led by the TWA have been demonstrating in front of the Constituent Assembly venue in New Baneshwor against what they call 'Madhesisation' of 'what is originally Terai.' They have threatened of strong protest programmes against moves of Terai-based parties to undermine their identity in Terai by raising their demand for autonomous Madhes state.

Meanwhile, with each passing day ethnic communities living in Terai are rallying against "One Madhes" demand raised by Terai-based parties to declare whole of terai as autonomous Madhes state.

The latest joining them are the Kamaiya community who were freed from the age-old oppression of having to work as a bonded labourer for landlords in terai through a government decree.

The Freed Kamaiya community have announced a protest movement against the demand of "One Madhes State".

Speaking at a programme organised by Sustainable Development Society which is working for the welfare of the freed kamaiyas in Gulariya of Bardiya district, the society's chairman Bantiram Tharu said that the demand for "One Madhes province" is not acceptable to them under any circumstance and said that the society would express its solidarity to impose a bandh in most of the terai districts from Jhapa to Kanchapur against it.

"If our demands are not met through peaceful means then we would wage a strong movement carrying our spades, axes and plough," he said. nepalnews.com ag July 09 08