Protesting Tharu activists clash with police

At least half a dozen people were injured in police baton-charging during a protest of indigenous Tharus against the 'one Madhesh' demand in the capital Saturday afternoon.

One protester was critically injured in the police action at Naya Baneshwor Chowk. Both the protesters and the police pelted stones at each other.

The agitators chanted slogans against the police crackdown as well as the Terai parties that have been demanding a single Madhes province. Tharus have also opposed the decision of the government to introduce a supplementary constitution amendment bill in the Constituent Assembly (CA) to address the demands of the Terai parties.

The protest rally began from Koteshwor and converged into a gathering in front of the CA building at Naya Baneshwor.

Leaders of the Tharu Welfare Assembly, which organised the protest, said that single Madhesh was unacceptable to indegeneous Tharus. He also warned of serious consequences if their voice is not heard.

President of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NFIN), Pasang Sherpa said all the indigenous communities would support the movement launched by Tharus.

Addressing the Gathering, CA members and Indigenous community leaders said that a single Madhesh was acceptable in no circumstance.

UML CA member Santa Chaudhary declared that if the demands are not met, she would resign from the CA and join the protest movement of Tharus. nepalnews.com July 05 08