Major parties urge Janajatis to call off bandh and opt for negotiated settlement of demands

Leaders of the major parties – UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and UML along with the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) - have urged the Indigenous Nationalities Struggle Committee to call off its ongoing bandh and opt for a negotiated solution to the issues raised by it.

Top leaders of the four major political forces made the call during the talks between the government and the representatives of the indigenous nationalities held at the army integration Special Committee's secretariat at Naya Baneshwor, Monday afternoon. The top leaders were present during the talks.

According to Bhim Rawal, a UML leader, the parties asked the Janajati leaders to be mindful of the possibility of infiltration of elements in the protests with the intention to create communal discord and derail the constitution-drafting process.

"The parties also denounced the brazen attack on the media during the bandh," Rawal said.

However, the Janajati leaders said that they were not convinced that their demands would be addressed at the negotiation table and that they would not stop the agitations.

The government started talks with the agitating Janajati groups today as the three-day nationwide bandh enforced by the latter entered the second day. Nepalnews.com