Nepalnews.com, news from Nepal as it happens

Backward castes vow to keep Terai in standstill unless demands met

Life in various Terai districts including Siraha and Sapatri has been badly affected for the second day on Tuesday due to the indefinite shutdown strike called by the Federation of Backward Communities Nepal.

Vehicular movement in the East-West Highway traversing through these districts has been affected as the organisation's activists staged their protests by placing road blocks and burning tyres.

The organisation, which claims to be fighting for the rights of oppressed and backward castes and communities of Terai, has vowed to continue with the strike until their demands are not met.

The nine-point demand the organisation has put before the government for fulfillment includes enlisting their castes and their neglected languages in the statute to give it due recognition, reservation in various state mechanisms in proportion to their population, inclusion of their languages in primary level curriculum and low interest rates in agriculture loans, among others.

The federation has identified people belonging to 33 different castes including Kusahawa, Musalman, Halwai, Tamat, Kurmi, Kahar, Kewat, Kanu, Teli, Nuniya, Hajam, Sonar, Lodh, Rajbhar as "backward castes" in the Terai. The representatives of all these castes are affiliated with the organization. nepalnews.com Nov 11 08